First Strictly Come Dancing 2024 celeb confirmed as Olympic star shares line-up news

Virgin Radio

2 Aug 2024, 07:45

An Olympian has just confirmed he’s heading to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom… but slightly before the BBC has confirmed it themselves. 

Swimmer Tom Dean has shared that he’ll follow in the footsteps of his teammate Adam Peaty by competing in the BBC competition later this year. 

He made the announcement after making the final of the men’s 200 metres individual medley on Thursday (1st August) during the Paris Olympics games.

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Tom said of his upcoming Strictly stint (via Press Association): “Naturally you want to take a break after you've had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose. I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different.

"I'll be doing that and straight back into training after it. It's something to look forward to."

He continued: "I've not seen (Adam) yet. He did brilliantly on it so I'll be getting a few tips from him, for sure."

While fans will be thrilled at having another decorated Olympian in the Strictly Come Dancing ranks, it does raise some questions on Tom accidentally revealing the news. Traditionally, the BBC always announces their Strictly stars in a schedule that kicks off in August with TV and radio appearances. There’s also a social media post to announce the names to followers too. 

Currently, the BBC has not yet confirmed any stars for its 2024 Strictly series. When virginradio.co.uk asked for comment, the BBC responded: "This year’s celebrity contestants will be announced in due course."

Earlier this week, Tom was the latest rumoured name to land on the BBC dance floor, with an insider telling The Sun: “It’s quite a coup for the producers to bag an Olympian fresh from winning gold in Paris, and swimmers have been shown to be great contestants.

“They tend to be a sensation as a result of their fitness, competitiveness and sheer determination to win — and Tom will still be pumped from his victory in France.

"He doesn’t quite have the same profile as other top-level swimmers yet but that’s likely to drastically change after his time on Strictly.”

A few days after Tom seemed to confirm his place on Strictly 2024, it was reported that another decorated former Team GB star could be following him to the dance-floor. Read all about it here.

Also in the mix for Strictly 2024 are former Arsenal and England footballer Paul Merson, Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, blind comedian Chris McCausland, EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, reality TV star Pete Wicks and DIY SOS host Nick Knowles.

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is set to air later this year.

Keep up with all the action at the Paris Olympics 2024 via talkSPORT.