Rachel Stevens has joined the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ tour.
The S Club 7 star is set to join celebrities from the latest series of the BBC One ballroom dance contest on their UK tour following the announcement that runner-up Frankie Bridge is pregnant with her and husband Wayne Bridge’s second child and will not be able to take part.
Rachel – who came in second place on Strictly in the 2008 series and went on to dance in the 2009 tour before appearing in the 2014 Christmas special – will dance with Frankie’s dance partner Kevin Clifton.
She said: "I’m really happy for Frankie and Wayne – it’s great news to start the New Year with! I know she’s disappointed not to be doing the tour – I was supporting Team Frankie during the show and she was fantastic, but I’m happy to be able to step in for her."
Despite having a busy year ahead following her and her S Club bandmates’ – Jo O’Meara, Hannah Spearritt, Bradley McIntosh, Jon Lee, Tina Barrett and Paul Cattermole – announcement that they’re reuniting for their own UK tour this year, Rachel couldn’t resist getting back on the dancefloor.
She added: "It’s no secret that I loved my time in Strictly and that I’m a big fan of the dances so I’m excited to be back and to get my dancing shoes on again. Today [09.01.15], I’m straight into rehearsals learning the routines and meeting the guys and next week we’ll be on tour seeing fans across the country – I can’t wait!"
The brunette beauty will join 2014 champion Caroline Flack, finalists Simon Webbe and Mark Wright and contestants Scott Mills, Alison Hammond and Thom Evans on the tour hosted by spin-off show ‘It Takes Two’ presenter Zoe Ball.