'It's a dream come true'

Susan Calman is to take part in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing. 

She was revealed as  the ninth celebrity contestant on Radio 2’s Jeremy Vine show today.

The comic said: ‘Being on Strictly is a dream come true. Finally I can reveal all the moves I've been practising in my kitchen to the nation. 

‘I am an enthusiastic home dancer and now on Saturday nights I'll be dancing in other people’s homes in a (hopefully) entertaining way. I am terrified but excited to start my Strictly journey.’

Speaking on Radio 2 she said she has not danced in public since doing ceilidh dancing at school – ‘and since then I have nothing.

‘I am the last person on the dancefloor. I don’t enjoy dancing in a lot of ways. I haven’t worn heels or a dress since I was 17. I haven’t danced with a man in over a decade. This is going to be quite interesting.

‘My mother will die happy to see me in a dress.’

The 4ft 10in Glaswegian comic signed up three weeks ago but has had to keep her lips sealed until today.  ‘I am so excited I have been a Strictly superfan for years.  This is going to be the best ride possible.

'Strictly is about entertaining people on a Saturday night and I’m going to do my absolute best to do that for people at home'

Calman joins former JLS star Aston Merrygold, Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer, Holby City star Joe McFadden, Communards star turned vicar turned broadcaster Reverend Richard Coles, former  Casualty star Gemma Atkinson, This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford, EastEnders star Davood Ghadami and The Saturdays girlband star Mollie King.

The 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing will return in the autumn on BBC One on Saturday and Sunday nights.

Published: 15 Aug 2017