Comedian announced for next series

Jayde Adams is taking part in the next series of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC has announced.

The comedian said: ‘Since I watched the first series in 2004, I feel like every step I’ve taken in my career over the last 11 years was to be on Strictly.

‘I cannot begin to express the emotions I am feeling, this means so much to me and my family. I’ve always watched it, apart from a brief hiatus in 2011 as I was relentlessly gigging every weekend (to try and get on Strictly).

‘I’ve been a massive fan of the show for years. I feel like I’m watching myself in a dream and I can’t believe I’ve manifested this. Holding this in has been torture for me!’

Her previous TV appearances include Alma’s Not Normal and  Stephen Merchant’s  The Outlaws, as well as Channel 4’s Snackmasters. She also stars in ITV X’s upcoming series Ruby Speaking, about a aworker in a call centre.

She is currently performing at the Edinburgh Fringe with her stand-up show Men, I Can Save You. In 2016, she was nominated for best newcomer at the festival for her Adele-inspired show 31, which mixed  stand-up, dancing and ‘more costume changes than a Lady Gaga gig’.

A later show was made into the Amazon Prime special, Serious Black Jumper.

Adams joins Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Richie Anderson and Kaye Adams in the latest Strictly line-up, with many more names yet to be announced.

She follows in the dancing footsteps of Susan Calman, Chris Ramsey and – more notoriously – Seann Walsh in taking part in the BBC series.

Published: 6 Aug 2022