The 15th series of the Bafta award-winning entertainment show produced by BBC Studios will return in the autumn on BBC One, putting the sparkle back into Saturday and Sunday nights.

Aston says: “I’m so happy to be joining Strictly 2017, it is such a brilliant show and I’ve followed it for years. I’m both nervous and excited to learn from the professionals about a whole new way of dancing!”

Aston Merrygold is a singer and songwriter, best-known for being a member of the successful British band JLS. The band sold over ten million records worldwide, had five number one hits, a four-time platinum album, won a MOBO award; and even starred in their very own film: JLS - Eyes Wide Open.

After a successful five years with JLS, the band performed for the last time at their UK arena tour titled Goodbye: The Greatest Hits. In 2013, Aston became a judge on British talent show Got To Dance for Sky 1 and is now performing as a solo artist. His debut solo record Get Stupid received huge international success gaining platinum accreditation.

The news was revealed today (Monday 14 August) on BBC Radio 1’s Scott Mills show.

Aston Merrygold joins Simon Rimmer, Joe McFadden, Reverend Richard Coles, Gemma Atkinson, Ruth Langsford, Davood Ghadami and Mollie King, who have also been confirmed for the new series. More celebrity contestants will be announced in due course.