Bill Bailey joins Strictly Come Dancing line-up alongside stars including Nicola Adams and Clara Amfo

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Rachel McGrath3 September 2020

Bill Bailey is the seventh star to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing.

The comedian revealed that he will be taking part in the annual dance contest during an appearance on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show, hosted by It Takes Two's Zoe Ball.

He said: “In these strange times we’re living through, it feels right to do something different and take on a new challenge.

“So I am delighted to be a part of this year’s unique Strictly Come Dancing. My late mum Madrin would have loved it – I hope she’ll be watching.”

Bailey added that all comics “off stage, we love a bit of an adrenaline rush.”

He said his dance history was a “little patchy”, adding: "I haven’t been to stage school and learnt to dance. I haven’t lived for the dance… I’m not really Lord of the Dance, I’m caretaker of the dance.

“It’s going to be quite a challenge but then that’s what this is about, taking on a new skill.”

Strictly Come Dancing: confirmed contestants (2020) - In pictures

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He joked that the Hokey Cokey was one of his favourite dances and that he would be trying to introduce it to Strictly this year.

This year's line-up is being announced almost a month later than usual as the series has been delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Clara Amfo, Caroline Quentin and The Wanted's Max George are among Bailey's fellow competitors.

Good Morning Britain host Ranvir Singh and former NFL player Jason Bell will also be getting their dancing shoes on while boxer Nicola Adams will make history by becoming the first contestant paired with a same-sex professional partner.

While exact details of how the live shows - which usually have an audience of 600 - will work are yet to be announced, bosses have confirmed that Bruno Tonioli will miss the Saturday night programmes as he remains in the US to judge Dancing with the Stars instead.

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