Paralympian Lauren Steadman joked that she might have to revert to “dad dancing” as she was announced as the 13th contestant for Strictly.
The athlete, 25, was unveiled on The One Show on Monday evening.
She said although she had salsa experience she had never tried ballroom, adding: “I can always revert to dad dancing if it all goes really bad!”
Beijing 2008 ✅London 2012 ✅Rio 2016 ✅#Strictly 2018 ✅Paralympic pro Lauren Steadman is the next celeb to join our line-up 🎉 @laurensteadman https://t.co/0IWsKsVzSH pic.twitter.com/075O9UQRw6
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 20, 2018
The double World Champion Paratriathlete, Paralympic Silver medallist and six-time European Champion, who was born missing her lower right arm, said she would probably not wear a prosthetic.
“I don’t think I will because I don’t in most things,” she said.
“On my bike I use a prosthesis just to balance out and for gear changing and braking.
“Apart from that I think maybe with a spin it would fly off somewhere.
“I’m not sure it would be as elegant as I’d need it to be.”
Steadman said she had long been a fan of the BBC dance show.
“I still don’t think it has properly sunk in that I’m actually going to be part of this year’s Strictly!” she said.
“I’ve had such a fondness for the show since I was young, and being part of the line-up is something I thought would forever remain on my bucket list.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t nervous to be up on stage, performing live and in front of the judges but I’m up for the challenge and excited to swap my triathlon kit for dancing shoes and sequins!”
The other celebrities announced to appear on the competition include Blue star Lee Ryan, singer Ashley Roberts, newsreader Kate Silverton, comedian Seann Walsh, documentary presenter Stacey Dooley, This Morning’s Dr Ranj Singh and former cricketer Graeme Swann.
Completing the line-up of stars hoping to waltz to glory are TV presenter Katie Piper, Steps singer Faye Tozer, Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules, YouTube star Joe Sugg and DJ Vick Hope.
The new series will see presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return, along with judges Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli, Dame Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in the autumn.