autumn, once again bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to Saturday and Sunday nights.

John Whaite is a chef, TV presenter and cookery author.

John says: “I’m so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family. I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth. What’s more exciting for me, is that I’m going to be one half of the first all-male partnership, which is a great step forward in representation and inclusion. Whoever it is I’m paired with, I hope they are up for a challenge as I want our routines to include lots of spectacular lifts!”

John Whaite is a British cook who won the third series of The Great British Bake Off, in 2012, at the age of 23. John has presented various TV shows and currently has a weekly cooking segment on Steph’s Packed Lunch. He has written for a variety of newspaper and magazine publications on the topics of food and mental health, and has published five cookery books. John also runs his own cookery school, John Whaite’s Kitchen.

The news was revealed today (Thursday 5 August) on Zoe Ball’s Breakfast show on BBC Radio 2, where Matt Lucas was filling in.

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