Strictly Come Dancing 2019: Anneka Rice 'recklessly excited' as she's confirmed as final contestant

The Challenge Anneka star joked that she hasn't danced since she was seven
1/15

Anneka Rice has been confirmed as the final celebrity contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2019.

The TV presenter, who is best known for fronting game show Challenge Anneka on BBC One, said that she was feeling "recklessly excited" to join the show - but suggested that her children will "probably leave the country" after seeing her dance.

"I haven't danced since I was seven and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated," she said. "My family and friends haven't seen me dance since, not at a wedding or round a handbag so it's going to be a challenge for my partner.

"In fact I've asked for two, one on each side. I can't see myself in a long frilly dress either. But I'm feeling recklessly excied. Strictly has always been my autumn's entertainment and now I'm part of it! Mt children will probably leave the country."

The news was announced on the Steve Wright Show on BBC Radio 2 this afternoon.

Rice began her presenting career on Channel 4's Treasure Hunt and has since fronted shows including Sporting Chance, TVAM, Driving Force and Wish You Were Here.

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 Contestants Revealed - In pictures

1/15

She will be joined by Olympic medallist James Cracknell, Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin, comedian Chris Ramsey, Viscountess Emma Weymouth, YouTuber Saffron Barker, Match of the Day's Alex Scott, Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley, BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell, EastEnders actress Emma Barton, former England goalkeeper David James, RuPaul's Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, Paralympic champion Will Bayley and Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing.

The stars' professional dance partners will be confirmed at a launch event ahead of the new series.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in the autumn.

Strictly Come Dancing Champions - In pictures

1/17

Create a FREE account to continue reading

eros

Registration is a free and easy way to support our journalism.

Join our community where you can: comment on stories; sign up to newsletters; enter competitions and access content on our app.

Your email address

Must be at least 6 characters, include an upper and lower case character and a number

You must be at least 18 years old to create an account

* Required fields

Already have an account? SIGN IN

By clicking Create Account you confirm that your data has been entered correctly and you have read and agree to our Terms of use , Cookie policy and Privacy policy .

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged in