ITV Coronation Street star 'signs up for Strictly' after winning huge reality series
A star of Coronation Street, who already has experience in competitive reality shows, has reportedly signed up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
A former Coronation Street star has reportedly signed up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Shayne Ward, who won the second series of The X Factor in 2006, appeared as Aidan Connor on the ITV soap from 2015 until 2018. The actor, 39, is ready to prove that he's a triple threat as he is preparing for a spin on the dance floor.
The BBC show has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni Pernice was suspended by the corporation after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive and threatening behaviour. Giovanni has denied all claims.
Meanwhile Graziano Di Prima was axed from the upcoming series after he admitted to kicking Zara McDermott during rehearsals.
Despite the controversy, Shayne is reported to have joined the new series, and executives are undoubtedly hoping his Coronation Street connection can draw in viewers.
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"Shayne is a previous winner of an audience-voted talent show so will have high hopes of doing it again," a source told The Sun. "He is excited to begin training. He has some dancing experience so could be a contender for the glitterball trophy."
The insider added: "He also has a whopping fan base from his years as a Coronation Street hunk. Olympic swimmer Tom Dean was revealed as the first contestant for the upcoming series of Strictly last week.
The 24-year-old made the announcement after reaching the final of the men's 200 metres individual medley on Thursday night (August 1). It was previously rumoured the athlete would be taking to the dancefloor but the news had not been confirmed.
The three-time Olympic gold medallist said he had planned to seek advice from Team GB teammate, Adam Peaty, who took part in the BBC competition in 2021.
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Tom said: "Naturally you want to take a break after you've had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose. I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different. I'll be doing that and straight back into training after it. It's something to look forward to."
The Olympic swimmer admitted he had not yet seen Adam but explained he would have to get a "few tips" from his teammate.
Sharing his concerns about participating in a competition that doesn't involve water, Tom added: "I don't do too well out of water in gravity sports. I'm throwing myself into it and I know what a hard day's training is like so I'm looking forward to it.
"I guess we'll find out. It's something to look forward to and once I finish this, back home, relax a bit with the family and then we crack on end of August time. It's exciting."
