This Morning’s resident Dr Ranj Singh is the latest star to sign up for ‘Strictly Come Dancing’.
The 39-year-old medical professional is the 7th contestant announced for the BBC One Latin and ballroom competition, which returns later this year, joining the likes of Graeme Swann, Vick Hope, Katie Piper, Faye Tozer, Danny John-Jules and Joe Sugg.
He commented: "I’m so overwhelmed and excited to be part of this wonderful show. It’s an absolute dream come true for me! I’ve been a massive fan for so long, and I can’t quite believe this is happening, but I’m going to give it my best shot. Anyone that knows me knows that I love a bit of sparkle… so bring on the glitter! I can’t wait!!"
The CBeebies star – who still works shifts in A&E and the intensive care unit at his local NHS hospital – has revealed he’s "sore" after hitting the gym hard to get "fitter" in his bid to lift the glitter ball trophy.
He told Eamonn Holmes and Ruth Langsford on the ITV1 show as he was confirmed for the celebrity dancing show: "I am so sore at the moment. I’ve been going to the gym to try and get fitter to try and prepare myself and everything hurts. You don’t know how painful it is."
Ranj joked that his friends tell him that his current dancing ability is a mix of "dad-dancing and go-go dancing (nightclub performers)".
He laughed: "My friends would describe me as a cross between dad-dancing and go-go dancing. I do like to dance, I do it for fun. I’ve never been formally trained or anything. It’s just a bit of fun. I can do the worm, but it’s nothing like that at all is it."
Despite his lack of experience, Ranj hopes to learn from his professional partner, which he is hoping will be Oti Mabuse.
He said: "I am super excited to learn how to dance properly and just want to have fun with it."