Former 80s pop star revealed as fifth Strictly Come Dancing contestant

Holy glitterballs!

Published 11th Aug 2017
Last updated 1st Sep 2017

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have been revealing the new series' contestants thick and fast this week and today the fifth contestant has been announced.

Former 80s pop star, now priest, Reverend Richard Coles will be joining the star-studded line-up.

Speaking about his involvement with the show Reverend Coles said, "Cometh the hour, cometh the overweight Vicar with arthritis in his knees."

Reverend Coles is the only vicar in Britain to have had a number one single with his former band The Communards. Since leaving the band he has become a writer, broadcaster and Church of England priest.

In the mid-80s The Communards had a string of top 40 hits including 'Never Can Say Goodbye', 'So Cold The Night' and their number one single from 1986 single 'Don't Leave Me This Way'.

Check out the video for 'Don't Leave Me This Way' below:

Reverend Coles will be joining the already star-studded line-up of radio presenter Gemma Atkinson, former The Saturdays singer Mollie King, EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami and This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford.

Yesterday Gemma Atkinson, the breakfast co-presenter on our sister station Key 103 was confirmed as the fourth contestant for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking to her Key 103 co-presenters Matt Haslam and Mike Toolan, Gemma explained the reason she's signed up for the popular dancing show.

She said, “It’s crazy, you only live once so you have to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone! Put me in a gym with a load of lads and dumbbells I’m fine, put me on a dance floor in a frock and it’s way out of my comfort zone, so I’ve got to do it.”

Despite Gemma describing herself as 'bambi on ice' when she hits the dance floor, she said, "I'm hoping to get a good partner and I'll graft on the lessons and I do pick things up quickly!"

See the full list of celebs so far in the gallery below:

Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing


Former 80s pop star revealed as fifth Strictly Come Dancing contestant
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The upcoming series, which will hit TV screens next month, is the 15th series of the popular dancing show.

After first hitting our screens back in 2004, the show has grown in popularity and has had a number of high profile winners including Alesha Dixon, Harry Judd and last year’s champion Ore Oduba.