Strictly Come Dancing’s latest celebrity confirmed

Entertainer Brian Conley has been revealed as the 10th celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

The 56-year-old told BBC Radio 2’s Steve Wright that he has been keeping his part in the series a secret since Christmas.

He said: “I’ve known for some time and I am just happy to be here, get that spray tan on, my Essex orange.

“I knew I wanted to do it and they were making advances to me when I came to see Strictly on Halloween.”

Conley said his main concern is the physical side of things, but is more than happy to don the glittery outfits.

“I haven’t got a left or a right hip, I’ve got a good one and a bad one,” he joked.

“That’s the thing I’m worried about, physically – am I going to keep up? It is very demanding, physically.”

Conley is best known for being a comedian, a presenter and a singer and has been a fixture on Britain’s TV screens for over 30 years.

In 1995, Conley was awarded the National TV Award for most popular comedy performer.

Away from the small screen, Conley has a lengthy back-catalogue of stage appearances, and has starred as Buttons in more than 10 Cinderella pantomimes across the country.

He was forced to pull out of reality TV show I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! after several days in 2012 due to ill health.

Conley joins the nine celebrity contestants already announced, which include The Saturdays’ Mollie King, former JLS singer Aston Merrygold and This Morning’s Ruth Langsford.

Also hoping to samba to success are Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer, former Emmerdale star Gemma Atkinson, Reverend Richard Coles, Holby City’s Joe McFadden, EastEnders star Davood Ghadami and comic Susan Calman.