Mike Bushell is the sixth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. 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.

Mike says: “I am so excited to be joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve heard so many wonderful things from colleagues over the years so thrilled I’m now getting the chance. I know I will completely throw myself into the whole experience and I’m sure will love it from start to finish. I may have tried and profiled over 500 sports over the years in my Saturday morning BBC Breakfast slot but think the Strictly challenge could be the greatest. Bring on the glitter!”

Mike presents the main sports bulletins of the day on BBC Breakfast, as well as profiling main stream sports events from the Olympics, Paralympics, the Winter games, Football World Cups, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, with the top stars, whether it be a game of tennis against Novak Djockovich, or trying to bowl out Alistair Cook, during his Saturday morning slot on Breakfast.

For Comic Relief he also holds the unusual world record for crossing one mile of water in a large inflatable ball in 1 hour 57 seconds.

The news was revealed this morning on BBC Breakfast on BBC One.

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