James Cracknell is paddling his way onto the BBC1 show
Double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell has been revealed as the 14th celebrity contestant taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
James, who claimed golds in both the 2000 Sydney Games alongside Steve Redgrave & Matthew Pinsent and the 2004 Athens Games, expressed his delight about appearing in the upcoming dancing show.
“I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year. Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight Lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill. I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment.”
And James, who broke the news on Good Morning Britain, quipped on Twitter: “Pretty normal start to the day, recreating Titanic scene with @missgemcollins on @gmb whilst announcing I’ll be on @bbcstrictly hmm…”
James is well known to TV audiences for his adventure series, including The Race Across the Atlantic, where he and Ben Fogle finished first.
In 2010, James suffered a serious accident after being struck by a truck while on his bike during an attempt to cross America in just 18 days by cycling, running, rowing and swimming.
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As well as commentating on the rowing for the BBC, James also recently became the oldest ever Boat Race champion at 46 as part of Cambridge University’s crew as they claimed the 165th Boat Race.
Other stars announced so far for the new series include former Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley, ex England goalkeeper David James and EastEnders favourite Emma Barton.
There’s also been plenty of rumours that TV legend Anneka Rice, famous for fronting Treasure Hunt, will be joining the Strictly Come Dancing line-up. However, that’s still to be officially confirmed...
