EastEnders' actor confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing
The second celebrity confirmed!
Published 8th Aug 2017 Last updated 8th Aug 2017
A second contestant has been confirmed for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, in the form of EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami.
Davood, who plays the role of Kush Kazemi in the popular soap, was officially unveiled by Strictly bosses today via social media.
Referring to his EastEnders character, the tweet read, 'Swapping Walford for the Waltz, @bbceastenders @DavoodGhadami steps into #Strictly 2017! ✨'.
Speaking ahead of his appearance on the show, the 35-year-old said, "Having the opportunity to take part in this year’s Strictly is such an honour."
He then added, "It’s going to be exciting, challenging and terrifying all at once and I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to dance. See you under the Glitterball!"
Davood first appeared in EastEnders in 2014 and was crowned the Best Newcomer at the 2015 TV Choice Awards.
As well as appearing in the hit soap, Davood has also made appearances in shows such as The Bill, Law & Order, Doctor Who and Silent Witness.
We suspect the actor will be asking his fellow EastEnders cast member Tameka Empson for some tips after she appeared on the dancing show last year.
Davood joins already confirmed contestant Mollie King for the 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing. The former The Saturdays singer was confirmed yesterday morning for the show which is set to start next month.
Check out the gallery below for all of the confirmed contestants so far:
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
EastEnders' actor confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing
2 of 16
Brian Conley
Comedian and TV presenter Brian Conley said he was most looking forward to "being taught by a professional dancer" on the new series.
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Mollie King
Mollie King
Former The Saturdays singer Mollie King was the first contestant to be revealed for the 2017 series.
Speaking ahead of her time on the show, she said, "I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing so I can't actually believe I'm lucky enough to be taking part in it this year! I'm literally so excited to learn latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can't wait to get into the sequins."
Mollie first shot to fame when she joined girl band The Saturdays and enjoyed great success with hits such as 'Work', 'Up' and 'What About Us'.
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami was the second celebrity to be confirmed by Strictly bosses.
Speaking ahead of his time on the dance floor, he said, "Having the opportunity to take part in this year's Strictly is an honour."
The actor is mostly known for his role as Kush Kazemi in EastEnders and has also starred in TV shows such as The Bill and Law & Order.
Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford
This Morning star Ruth Langsford was the third celebrity to be revealed for the 2017 series. Ruth expressed her 'excitement' and 'nerves' when her husband Eamonn Holmes announced the news during an episode of This Morning!
Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Atkinson
Radio presenter and former Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson was the fourth celebrity to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing. 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!"
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles is the fifth contestant to be announced for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The former 80s pop star had hits with his group The Communards with 'Don't Leave Me This Way' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye'.
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden was the sixth celebrity to be revealed for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. He is best known for playing the role of Raffaello 'Raf' di Lucca in Holby City.
Simon Rimmer
Simon Rimmer
Celebrity chef and co-presenter on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer was revealed as the seventh contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. He says he has never tried ballroom dancing, but he is a massive fan of the show.
Aston Merrygold
Aston Merrygold
Former JLS singer Aston Merrygold was the eighth celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
Speaking about the show, Aston said he's both nervous and excited to be joining Strictly.
Susan Calman
Susan Calman
Scottish comedian and TV presenter Susan Calman was the ninth celebrity to be announced for the show.
Susan admitted to not wearing a dress and heels since she was 17 and said Strictly was a'dream come true'.
Charlotte Hawkins
Charlotte Hawkins
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins was the 11th celebrity to be confirmed for this year's series.
Charlotte admitted she's 'thrilled' to be on the show and can't wait to follow in the footsteps of her Good Morning Britain colleagues.
Chizzy Akudolu
Chizzy Akudolu
Actress Chizzy was the 12th celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
The actress left her role in Holby City back in June after five years on show. She's also starred in shows such as Hollyoaks, The Inbetweeners, EastEnders and Twenty Twelve.
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke won the fifth series of The X Factor back in 2008.
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee is the widow of magician Paul Daniels, and starred as his glamorous assistant during his routines.
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock, MBE, is an English sprint runner who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics.
Brian Conley
Comedian and TV presenter Brian Conley said he was most looking forward to "being taught by a professional dancer" on the new series.
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Mollie King
Mollie King
Former The Saturdays singer Mollie King was the first contestant to be revealed for the 2017 series.
Speaking ahead of her time on the show, she said, "I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing so I can't actually believe I'm lucky enough to be taking part in it this year! I'm literally so excited to learn latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can't wait to get into the sequins."
Mollie first shot to fame when she joined girl band The Saturdays and enjoyed great success with hits such as 'Work', 'Up' and 'What About Us'.
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami was the second celebrity to be confirmed by Strictly bosses.
Speaking ahead of his time on the dance floor, he said, "Having the opportunity to take part in this year's Strictly is an honour."
The actor is mostly known for his role as Kush Kazemi in EastEnders and has also starred in TV shows such as The Bill and Law & Order.
Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford
This Morning star Ruth Langsford was the third celebrity to be revealed for the 2017 series. Ruth expressed her 'excitement' and 'nerves' when her husband Eamonn Holmes announced the news during an episode of This Morning!
Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Atkinson
Radio presenter and former Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson was the fourth celebrity to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing. 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!"
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles is the fifth contestant to be announced for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The former 80s pop star had hits with his group The Communards with 'Don't Leave Me This Way' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye'.
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden was the sixth celebrity to be revealed for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. He is best known for playing the role of Raffaello 'Raf' di Lucca in Holby City.
Simon Rimmer
Simon Rimmer
Celebrity chef and co-presenter on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer was revealed as the seventh contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. He says he has never tried ballroom dancing, but he is a massive fan of the show.
Aston Merrygold
Aston Merrygold
Former JLS singer Aston Merrygold was the eighth celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
Speaking about the show, Aston said he's both nervous and excited to be joining Strictly.
Susan Calman
Susan Calman
Scottish comedian and TV presenter Susan Calman was the ninth celebrity to be announced for the show.
Susan admitted to not wearing a dress and heels since she was 17 and said Strictly was a'dream come true'.
Charlotte Hawkins
Charlotte Hawkins
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins was the 11th celebrity to be confirmed for this year's series.
Charlotte admitted she's 'thrilled' to be on the show and can't wait to follow in the footsteps of her Good Morning Britain colleagues.
Chizzy Akudolu
Chizzy Akudolu
Actress Chizzy was the 12th celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
The actress left her role in Holby City back in June after five years on show. She's also starred in shows such as Hollyoaks, The Inbetweeners, EastEnders and Twenty Twelve.
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke won the fifth series of The X Factor back in 2008.
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee is the widow of magician Paul Daniels, and starred as his glamorous assistant during his routines.
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock, MBE, is an English sprint runner who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics.
Brian Conley
Comedian and TV presenter Brian Conley said he was most looking forward to "being taught by a professional dancer" on the new series.
More contestants are expected to be confirmed in the coming days.