Debbie McGee is the thirteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. 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.

Debbie says: “There are no words to describe how I feel about performing on Strictly Come Dancing. The excitement is overwhelming. I can’t stop smiling. It’s been the hardest secret I have ever had to keep!”

Debbie McGee is a TV personality, presenter and the widow of magician Paul Daniels. Debbie achieved national and international fame through television appearances with Paul and appeared alongside him in the BBC One series The Paul Daniels Magic Show which ran from 1979 to 1994 regularly attracting audiences of 15 million during its peak in the 1980s. Paul was also a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing in series 8. Debbie’s career has spanned the widest range of show business genres; including classical ballet, cabaret, theatre and films and in 2008, Debbie added the role of Radio DJ to her credits, presenting her own Sunday morning show on BBC Radio Berkshire.

The news was revealed today (Monday 21 August) on BBC One’s The One Show.

Debbie McGee joins Chizzy Akudolu, Charlotte Hawkins, Brian Conley, Susan Calman, Aston Merrygold, 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.