David James MBE is the first celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019

David James MBE is a former England number one goalkeeper

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BBC One

The 17th series of the NTA and 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.

David says: "I'm really excited to be on Strictly this year. Not just competing against this year's stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill, #LetsGetLive"

Starting his career at Watford he went on to play for a number of clubs including Liverpool, where he lifted the League Cup in 1994-95, and Portsmouth, whom he helped to FA Cup success in 2007-08. He amassed 53 caps for his country over an international career spanning 13 years and was first choice at both Euro 2004 and the 2010 World Cup. He also holds the Premier League record for the most clean sheets, with 173.

David, who has worked as a football analyst for the BBC and BT Sport, was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to football and charity, hung up his boots in 2013 after finishing his career at Icelandic club IBV.

Aside from football James has also modelled for Giorgio Armani and H&M as well as being an avid artist, and was the illustrator on the children's book Harry's Magic Pockets: The Circus.

The news was revealed tonight on The One Show on BBC One.

The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.

Source BBC One

August 1, 2019 5:56am ET by BBC One  

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