Strictly Come Dancing 2018 contestants and line up: Katie Piper confirmed as first celebrity for this year's series

The new series of the hit show kicks off next month
Natasha Sporn13 August 2018

Katie Piper is the first celebrity to be revealed for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, returning to the BBC later this year.

The TV presenter and campaigner - codename Brie - was confirmed for the show on Monday’s edition of BBC Breakfast, chatting to Dan Walker and Louise Minchin.

Piper revealed that she has known for "quite a while" about her upcoming appearance, which was hard to keep a secret, and confessed that she text her husband to tell him she was set to appear.

She told the show: "For me, it's really out of my comfort zone. It's not something that I've ever done before.

Set for the glitterball: Katie Piper will appear on this year's Strictly Come Dancing
BBC Breakfast

"I like having fun but dance wise, I went to a musical and my friend noted I wasn't even clapping in time!"

Piper said: "I feel so privileged and excited to be part of my favourite show on TV.

"I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can’t wait to show my girls some of my new dance moves!

The contestants for series 16 are all disguised under cheesy code names, as revealed by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman on the official Twitter yesterday.

Two more - Pecorino and Jarlsberg - will be unveiled on The One Show from 7pm, with the rest of the reveals taking place over the coming weeks.

TV presenter: Katie Piper is known for her campaign work and inspirational shows
PA

This year will be the first not to feature professional dancer Brendan Cole, who was axed from the show at the beginning of the year.

Johannes Radebe, Luba Mushtuk and Graziano Di Prima have joined the cast of professionals for this series, replacing Cole and Chloe Hewitt, taking the total to 18.

It is thought that several of the dancers will not have celebrity partners, as with past years, but it is unclear who will sit out.

Italian Di Prima and South African star Radebe, 31, will dance alongside AJ Pritchard, Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Pasha Kovalev, Kevin Clifton, Neil Jones, Gorka Marquez and Giovanni Pernice while Mushtuk will join the girls troupe.

Last year’s trio of new ladies – Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell and Amy Dowden – will all return as well as Janette Manrara, Karen Clifton, Katya Jones and Oti Mabuse.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One next month.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 - In pictures

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