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Strictly Come Dancing: Singer Shayne Ward and actress Sarah Hadland latest to join Strictly line-up

BBC Strictly Come Dancing reveal Coronation Street’s Shayne Ward and Sarah Hadland as latest stars

Actor and musician Ward, 39, rose to fame after winning the second season of TV singing competition The X Factor and later went on to star in ITV soap Coronation Street as former Underworld factory owner Aidan Connor.

Strictly has been hit with controversy recent following a series of allegations from former contestants.

Both Ward and Hadland were announced on ITV’s Lorraine.

The news was revealed on Thursday’s Lorraine by guest host Christine Lampard complete with confetti. They now join the likes of Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Toyah Willcox and JB Gill – to name a few – on the dance floor this autumn.

Shayne, 39, who soared to fame when winning The X Factor in 2005 and played Aidan Connor on Coronation Street until 2018, said of joining the show: “I’m buzzing to see all of the sparkles and magic that is Strictly in real life. I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level. No promises on my dancing ability, but I will give it my best shot!”

While Sarah, 53, who is best known for playing Stevie Sutton in Miranda, said: “I cannot believe I am part of Strictly! I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year. I’m so ready for the glitz, glam and glitter and hopefully I can make everyone watching at home proud!”

Sarah Hadland says: “I cannot believe I am part of Strictly! I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year. I’m so ready for the glitz, glam and glitter and hopefully I can make everyone watching at home proud!”

The news was revealed on ITV’s Lorraine.

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

Strictly Come Dancing is a BBC Studios Entertainment Production for BBC One and BBC iPlayer, commissioned by Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC. The Executive Producer for BBC Studios is Sarah James, the Series Editors are Nicola Fitzgerald and Jack Gledhill and the Series Producers are Ciara Murray and Joe Turner. The Senior Commissioning Editor for the BBC is Jo Wallace.

Hadland, 53, has appeared in the Daniel Craig-starring James Bond film Quantum Of Solace, comedy film Magicians and comedy Learners starring David Tennant.

She also had a main role on the ITV sitcom The Job Lot as the nervous and lovelorn manager of a job centre Trish Collingwood, but is perhaps best known as comedian Miranda Hart’s best friend Stevie Sutton in semi-autobiographical BBC comedy Miranda.