Entertainment
Fleur East already early favourite to win Strictly Come Dancing 2022-Stella Akinwumi-Entertainment – Metro
Well, she can put on a show!
Fleur was the latest celeb confirmed for Strictly (Picture: Getty)
Superstar Fleur East has already become the favourite to lift the Glitterball after being the latest celebrity to join Strictly Come Dancing 2022.
The Sax hitmaker, 34, said she feels ‘equally nervous and thrilled’ to join the popular programme.
‘I’m excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience,’ she said.
So far, the star-studded line-up includes Coronation Street stars Kym Marsh and Will Mellor, singer Molly Rainford and footballing legend Tony Adams.
While it’s a little early to guess who will be crowned Strictly winner, it seems as though Fleur is the top contenter with Ladbrokes putting the former X Factor star at odds of 7/2.
Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: ‘Our traders clearly think Fleur will have the X Factor on the dancefloor this autumn, and the current odds suggest it’ll take something pretty spectacular to stop her from taking home this year’s Glitterball Trophy.’
The star was a runner-up on series 11 of X Factor (Picture: Syco/Thames)
While actress Kym is at 5/1 and Molly at 6/1 odds.
And it looks like they might be onto something as fans are also convinced the star will make it all the way, with one writing: ‘Haven’t even seen the rest of the line up for #strictly but I’m saying it now, I think Fleur East will win this year. Cannot wait to see her dance.’
‘They may as well just crown Fleur now,’ another added.
Speaking to Ranvir Singh during Thursday’s Lorraine, Fleur became emotional as she remembered her dad who died from a heart attack two years ago.
‘For me it’s sentimental because my dad, who passed away in 2020, Strictly was his favourite show,’ she shared.
‘I’m just going to be doing it for him.
‘I’m gutted he can’t see me do it, but I’m going to keep him in mind when I’m doing the show.’
She added: ‘My family for that reason are going to be buzzing.’
Fleur also shared how excited her husband Marcel is, saying: ‘He cannot wait for me to do this, he’s going to be like my coach at home.’
Following her X Factor stint, Fleur launched her solo career in 2012 with Strictly Rhythm and released songs with dance musicians including DJ Fresh and Drumsound & Bassline Smith.
Fleur has released two full-length albums, 2015’s Love, Sax and Flashbacks, and 2020 record Fearless.
What we know about Strictly Come Dancing 2022 so far
Who are the judges?
Head judge Shirley Ballas will be joined once again by fellow judges Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
Anton Du Beke will also be returning to judge, after it was confirmed that he would be officially replacing Bruno Tonioli.
Who are the new professional dancers?
There are four new pros joining the line-up: Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Which professional dancers have left?
After the 2021 season, it was announced that fan-favourite pros Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec would not be returning for the 2022 series.
Will there be a studio audience?
Yes – following past restrictions put in place due to the pandemic, the full studio audience is set to return this year, while the see-through dividers between the judges will also be removed.
When is the show returning?
The BBC has revealed that the launch show for the 2022 series is due to be recorded on Wednesday September 7.
Therefore, it’s likely that it will air a few days later on Saturday September 10, although the exact date of the first episode is yet to be disclosed.
Find out more about Strictly 2022 here.
Strictly Come Dancing returns later this year on BBC One.
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