Saturday 13 August 2022 11:01 AM Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Helen Skelton is CONFIRMED as the final contestant trends now

Helen Skelton is the final celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. 

The TV and radio broadcaster was widely tipped to be taking part in the BBC ballroom show and her spot on the programme has now been confirmed as she completes the full line-up.

The news was revealed on Saturday morning on BBC Radio 2 during Claudia Winkleman's breakfast show, 

Helen Skelton said: 'I'm really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can't wait for me to get started.'

On Friday EastEnders actor James Bye, 38, - who has played the role of Martin Fowler in the BBC show since 2014 - was officially announced as the 14th star.

It comes after former X Factor star Fleur East and Countryfile star Hamza Yassin were revealed as the 12th and 13th stars on Thursday - joining earlier announced stars Kym Marsh, Will Mellor and Jayde Adams among others.

On Friday soap star James joked he is ready to show off his 'dad dancing' when he heads to the ballroom later this year. 

As he was announced James said: 'I'm not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes - in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it's an honour to be asked and I'm going to give it my best shot. 

'There are some huge dance shoes to fill and it's truly exciting to follow in the footsteps of some amazing EastEnders talent. I'd love to do everyone proud.'

James is best known for portraying the iconic role of Martin in the BBC's multi-award winning soap EastEnders, which he took over in 2014. 

He has been nominated for several British Soap awards, winning one for Best Storyline in 2016.

He has previously had roles in the BBC One mini-series The Great Train Robbery and films including Hummingbird, The Hooligan Factory and Cemetery Junction. On stage he has starred in several well-reviewed theatre productions.

Although Helen hasn't been announced yet sources have told The Sun she will be the last contestant to be revealed - after her split from husband Richie Myler earlier this year. 

It comes after Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza was announced as the 13th contestant joining the Strictly Come Dancing line-up on Thursday. 

Hamza - who is one of the presenters of BBC's Animal Park and a guest presenter on Countryfile - joined former X Factor star Fleur in being revealed as celebrities set to appear on the dance show on Thursday. 

It comes amid claims that BBC bosses fear they are running out of celebrities as Strictly approaches its 20th series.

Hamza Yassin said: 'I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I'd be on such a cool show. I've been watching it for years and I can't believe I'll actually be there dancing live in front of the British public. 

'My dance skills are currently at the level of '1970's disco vibe' but I'm ready to work hard and will be shaking it every time I get the chance – shake it 'til you make it!'

He is also well known to younger viewers under the guise of Ranger Hamza, presenting CBeebies live-action show Let's Go For A Walk and new series Ranger Hamza's Eco Quest later this month. 

Hamza moved to the Scottish Highlands when he was younger to follow his dream of filming Scottish wildlife and becoming a wildlife cameraman. 

He has lived there ever since and recently fronted Channel 4 documentary Scotland: My Life in the Wild and Scotland: Escape to the Wilderness, in which he guided celebrity companions on journeys through western and eastern Scotland and the Highlands. 

In his spare time, Hamza competes in the Highland Games and enjoys riding the country roads on his motorbike.

It comes after last week The Mail on Sunday revealed that some BBC executives are concerned that there are no longer enough big names available to compete for the glitterball.

As comedian Jayde Adams was the fifth competitor to be unveiled for this year's series, even Radio 5 DJ and former Strictly star Scott Mills shared his worries – telling his listeners that he now thinks they should start putting on former contestants.

The announcement about Miss Adams came just a day after it was revealed that Radio 2 travel reporter Richie Anderson is in this year's line-up.

One source at the Corporation said: 'Taking part on Strictly is a dream for so many celebrities, but so many of them have done it now. They have lived that dream and reaped the massive benefits of it.

'The success of Strictly is massive, the ratings are still huge so it will keep on going – but so many big names have appeared now that you have to wonder where the rest of them are going to come from now.'

Last year's series was won by deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis who was watched several times per week by at least two million viewers. And in its first ten years, household names such as John Sergeant, Emma Bunton and Jerry Hall took part.

After Miss Adams, a comedian from Bristol, and Mr Anderson joined Strictly fans took to social media to discuss how they are unfamiliar with some of the stars. 

'Sorry don't mean to be rude but who's Jayde Adams?' one wrote on Twitter, while another said: 'Jayde Adams… nope never heard of her! #Strictly.'

It comes after Fleur became emotional as she told how she is competing in this year's Strictly Come Dancing in memory of her late father Malcolm, who adored the BBC show.

The former X Factor star, 34, revealed she was the twelfth contestant on this year's series on Thursday during her Hits Radio Beakfast show where she said: 'You'll see me in the ballroom on Strictly Come Dancing!' 

Appearing on Lorraine later that day, Fleur teared up as she told guest host Ranvir Singh that she was heartbroken her dad - who died in 2020 of a heart attack - wasn't here to watch her dance.

She said: 'I hope I get to dance to some of my songs… for me it's quite emotional. My dad who passed away in 2020, Strictly was his favourite show.'

Getting emotional, she added: 'I'm going to be doing it for him. I'm just gutted he can't see me do it, but I'm going to keep him in mind during the show… I'm excited, my family, just for that reason, will be buzzing. I wasn't expecting to get this emotional about it.' 

After Malcom's death, Fleur shared a heartfelt tribute to him on Instagram, writing: 'Cheering me on until the end. You taught me and [sister] Keshia to be confident and to always chase our dreams. 

'I will forever continue to make you proud. I'm so happy you saw us achieve so much. Every note I sing, every song I write and everything I do, will be for you. This album is for you Dad. Love you so much Daddy Darling. Have an amazing time up there! See you soon.' 

Elsewhere during her Lorraine interview, Fleur said she feels the pressure to do well on Strictly as she already has dance experience from performing on stage.

She said, 'There's too much pressure, I'm so nervous, Ranvir. I can dance in the club and when I'm singing on stage, but I have never done any technical dancing, so I don't know anything ballroom, how to point a toe or anything like that.'

She added: 'This is a completely different level. You need to give me some advice, Ranvir!'

After she was announced as a contestant, Fleur said: 'I'm equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year's Strictly line up. I'm excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience. 

'It's such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my father who loved it so much. Unfortunately my Dad is no longer with us but I know he will be watching over the ballroom in spirit. I'm doing this to make him and my family proud and can't wait to get my dancing shoes on!'

After coming runner-up in series 11 of The X Factor, Fleur has been a regular face in the world of music and broadcasting. 

As a singer she has released two albums, with her debut single Sax reaching number three in the UK singles chart. 

After appearing on I'm A Celebrity... Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018 she became host of the Hits Radio Breakfast show which she hosts every weekday. 

She has also appeared as a presenter on the last three series of Ant & Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway and a host of ITV gameshow The Void.

It comes after retired England football player and manager Tony Adams MBE has been announced as the 11th celebrity confirmed to be taking part in Strictly.

The news comes just hours after Britain's Got Talent singer and CBBC star Molly Rainford joined the line-up. 

Tony, 55, said: 'To say I'm excited is an understatement - the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes. 

'Am absolutely thrilled to be giving it my all on this year's 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing. I can't wait to meet my partner - god help her - and start the dancing.'

The formidable centre-back's football career spanned over 22 years, playing for both Arsenal and England. 

Having captained both, he is regarded as one of Arsenal's greatest ever players and one of the all-time greats of English football. 

Tony won 66 caps for England, appeared at four major tournaments and had 10 major trophy wins whilst is still the only player in English football history to captain a team to three top flight titles over three different decades. 

As captain of England, he famously led the national team to the Euro 96 final. Whilst he was playing he founded Sporting Chance, a charity to help sportspeople with mental health and addiction issues of which he remains Honorary president today.

Now retired, the father of six and husband to wife Poppy, went into coaching and management before recently launching his new venture, SIX MHS, which delivers Mental Health and Addictions services to non-sportspeople and non-sport's organisations.

He remains a patron of four other additional charities, NACOA, Forward Trust, Saving Faces, School Home Support and has started the charity, 6 Addiction, for people that can't afford private mental health services.

Singer Molly, 21, revealed she's already sought advice from 2020 contestant HRVY, adding that despite her performing background she's like 'Ellie the Elephant' when she takes to the floor.

Molly, who also stars in the CBBC series Nova Jones, was unveiled as the latest star to join the lineup that morning.

Speaking ahead of her dancefloor debut, Molly said: 'I've always loved performing and being on stage, but I've never been the most confident dancer. 

'I'm super excited for the challenge to push myself outside of my comfort zone and hopefully add another string to my bow. 

'It will introduce me to a whole new way of expressing myself! I'm also pretty competitive and I'm excited meet the Pros and the other contestants. 

'And on top of all that, I absolutely love the glitz and glamour the show brings to the floor every week.'

The singer grew up in Essex and went onto study at the coveted Sylvia Young Theatre School after auditioning for BGT in 2012.

She added: 'I did Britain's Got Talent in 2012 when I was 11 years old. That definitely changed my life because after getting to the finals, I was sponsored by Sony Music and Simon Cowell to go to the Sylvia Young theatre school. From those auditions throughout school, I got into the CBBC world.'

The show's official Twitter account revealed the news, writing: 'Say hello to Molly Rainford, she's an intergalactic pop superstar from @CBBC and she's here to star on #Strictly!'

The announcement was first made on CBBC's Newsround on Wednesday morning.

Since graduating, Molly has starred as Nova Jones in the CBBC show of the same name.

This autumn, Molly will be seen across CBBC screens as Nova Jones returns for series two, with a third series already filmed for release in the coming months.

Molly has been shortlisted for Best Newcomer at the 2022 Variety Club Showbusiness Awards and has released two EPs, including single Commitment, which has garnered over two million streams to date.

Asked what she fears the most about being on the show, Molly added: 'Forgetting the steps because the judges notice everything. 

'If I was singing, I'd know how handle it, but I'm worried It would throw me off when too much when I'm dancing.'

The star added that she's already spoken to former contestant HRVY about his time on the show, saying: 'One of my really good pals HRVY was on in 2020 and he said it was one of the best experiences he's ever had.'

Molly was the 10th celebrity confirmed for this year's Strictly lineup, after comedian Ellie Taylor was revealed as the ninth celebrity contestant on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old Ted Lasso star will swap the stage for the dance floor later this year to take part in the BBC Latin and ballroom show, but the star insists she has the dancing ability of a 'newly born giraffe'.

Former Heart FM presenter Ellie was unveiled on Lorraine - hosted by Ranvir Singh - and said: 'Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I'm absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022!

'I've watched the show for years so to be able to take to the dance floor is a dream come true, for both me and mum who is a Strictly super fan!

'At the moment I'm focusing on the excitement and glitter and choosing to ignore the fact that I have the dancing ability of a newly born giraffe. Bring it on!'

Asked by Ranvir who her perfect professional dance partner would be, Ellie

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