The BBC Radio 2 DJ, 34, revealed he will be joining the 2022 series during his radio show on Friday and will join Coronation Street stars Will Mellor and Kym Marsh in the current line-up.
The former Sunday League footballer – who went viral in 2018 when he came out as gay to his Coombs Wood FC teammates in an emotional documentary – said it was a “huge honour” to be part of the all-male collaboration of the show.
Congratulations: Richie Anderson is the latest celebrity confirmed for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing and will be part of an all-male partnership on the show
In a statement he said: “This is a dream come true! I can’t wait to get into those sparkles, sequins and sparkles on the world’s most famous dance floor! It’s strictly the ultimate show good feeling, just hearing that iconic theme tune is just pure escapism.
“I’ll have to cancel my legendary ‘Strictly’ kitchen party that I host every year, I’m sure my friends and family will understand.”
He added: “It’s also a huge honor to be part of an all-male dance collaboration, it’s so important that we have this inclusion in such a huge show.”
Last year’s series saw Great British Bake Off star John Waite form the show’s first all-male partnership with professional Johannes Radebe – with the pair reaching the final.
Last year saw the show’s first same-sex pairing as boxer Nicola Adams was paired with Katya Jones – however the duo had to pull out of the competition in week three after Katya contracted Covid.
Finally! The first two stars for Strictly Come Dancing were announced on Thursday, with actor Will Mellor (right) and soap favorite Kym Marsh (left) joining the line-up.
In 2018, Richie famously came out as gay to his Sunday League team-mates during a segment on The One Show that explored homophobia in the sport.
The team knew Ritchie was filming a piece for BBC One’s daily programme, but it wasn’t until he sat them down in the dressing room after the game that they discovered he was exploring the issues surrounding being gay in grassroots football.
“One of the big issues we’ve looked at this week, well, it’s very close to my heart, is homophobia in football,” Ritchie began.
Outspoken: In 2018, Richie famously came out as gay to his Sunday League team-mates during a feature for The One Show which explored homophobia in the sport
“The reason this means a lot to me is that I’m a gay footballer. So, I just wanted to be open and honest with you. There was just order.
“It’s very difficult for me to do it…” he added, before his teammates began to applaud him.
Richie went on to say that he was “So, so relieved. I can’t even tell you.’
He continued: “I expected it as they are a good bunch of lads. It probably helped that I scored too, but I’m so relieved.
“The main thing is, I hope there are people watching this who are in the same boat that I was and think, ‘You know what? I can do that too.”
Talented: Last year’s series saw great British Bake Off star John Waite form the show’s first all-male partnership with professional Johannes Radebe – with the pair reaching the final
Groundbreaking: 2020 saw the show’s first same-sex pairing with boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones – however the duo had to pull out after Katya contracted Covid
On Thursday, the first two stars for Strictly were announced, with actor Will and soap favorite Kym joining the line-up.
The Coronation Street actress and Two Pints Of Lager and A Packet Of Crisps star, both 46, revealed on Thursday’s BBC Breakfast, with Kym revealing she had wanted to be on the show for “a number of years ».
She said: “I’ve been thinking about doing Strictly for years but the timings never worked out. I’m so glad they have it this year!
“I’m a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m going from watching at home in my pajamas to dancing in front of the judges in a sparkly dress, it’s unreal!”
Speaking on Breakfast, Kym admitted she hadn’t told Morning Live co-host Gethin Jones about taking part in the show, despite Khm having previously taken part in 2007.
He said: “I joked with him and said ‘you’ve been strict because you’ve never mentioned it!’ I think he always asked me if I would do it and kept doing it. again in the next few months, and of course I haven’t spoken to him and will probably get a text later saying “you never told me!”
Here is! Former Coronation Street star Kym revealed as the second contestant on Thursday’s BBC Breakfast
Favorite soap: Kym is best known for playing Michelle Connor in Coronation Street from 2006 to 2019
Speaking through. Zoom, Kym revealed that her parents were both hiding behind a curtain while she took part in the interview and were even more excited to see her take to the track.
The actress, who rose to fame as a star of the band Hearsay, added that she is open to learning new dance styles as they will be a stark contrast to her pop star days.
She continued: “I’m really keen to learn to watch it, I’ve danced before when I was a little girl, and when I was in Hearsay, my husband is really excited that I can teach him. he can do it when we go to the balls.
“Any of them really, just to learn how to dance properly would be great.
Asked if she would fear harsh criticism from Craig Revel Horwood and the rest of the judging panel, Kym added: ‘I was judged by Nasty Nigel on Popstars don’t forget, he was the bad guy at the time!
“Those are the people I really respect, that’s what they do, I’m just going to have to suck it up, I guess, you just have to take it on the chin.”
Determined: Asked if she would fear harsh criticism from Craig Revel Horwood and the rest of the judging panel, Kym added: “I was judged by Nasty Nigel on Popstars, don’t forget that.”
Kym is best known for her role as Michelle Connor in Coronation Street from 2006 to 2019 and since October 2020 has co-presented the BBC’s Morning Live.
It’s set to be a busy year for Kym as she’s also set to film Waterloo Road at the end of the year, starring in the school drama as mother-of-two Nicky Walters.
Kym’s revelations came after fellow Corrie star Will was revealed as the first contestant earlier in the show, with the actor saying he signed up to bring some joy to his mother after a “difficult time” for his family.
He said: “I’m honestly so excited to be on Strictly Come Dancing this year! I’m not going to lie, it’s completely out of my comfort zone and I know it’s going to be a huge challenge, but that’s what life is all about.
“This is also my mum’s favorite show and she’s had a really hard time so I’m doing it for her too. Come on!’
The first big star! Kym’s revelations come after fellow Corrie star Will was revealed as the first contestant earlier in the show.
After a series of hints at his previous roles, Will was revealed as Strictly’s first star during the Breakfast show and said he agreed to take part in the show after vowing to “seize life” following the death of his father in 2020.
He told Naga Munchetty and Charlie Stayt: “Excited is one word, terrified is another, that’s one of the reasons I’m doing it, getting out of my comfort zone.
“When I said yes to doing it, it was a long way off, but it’s getting a little bit closer, it’s starting to settle in and it’s getting a bit scary now.”
Tragic: He said he signed up to the show to bring some joy to his mum after his beloved father Bill died of cancer in 2020
Will added that he has already told his two children that he will be joining the show, adding that he wanted their blessing to join because he was afraid he might embarrass them.
He added: “I had to tell my kids because I had to ask if it’s okay, they’re 18 and 14, I’m not going to do anything they find embarrassing, it’s okay. It’s something I’ve never done before.’
Will also revealed he decided to take part in the show after vowing to “seize life and make new memories” and said he wanted to bring some positivity to his mother following the death of his dad in 2020, two weeks after he was diagnosed with cancer.
Memories from the past! Will starred in the BBC Two comedy Pings Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps from 2001 to 2011
Sinister: He also played villainous drug lord Harvey Gaskell in Coronation Street last year
“I lost my dad in 2020 and since then I thought I needed to seize life and do things and make new memories, and that’s one of the reasons I said yes.
“Because she’s had such a hard time I wanted to give her something to look forward to, she lost my dad, brother and brother-in-law and sister in the space of a year and it was a really difficult time for the family. I think mentally it will be good for me too.’
While he is best known for his role as Gaz Wilkinson in the BBC comedy Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, Will has also had roles in Holby City, Broadchurch and most recently drug baron Harvey Gaskell in 2021.
Ready to dance? Following the announcement, Will was in high spirits as he left the BBC Breakfast studios
Dance it! He showed off some of his best moves as he stepped out at Media City Salford
Back: It comes after this year’s Strictly release date was revealed on Wednesday September 7 (pictured Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly)
It comes after the start date for this year’s Strictly was revealed on Wednesday September 7, when the show will film a pre-recorded show which will see this year’s celebrity contestants paired with their professional partners.
Strictly bosses released a statement confirming the date, while urging fans to apply for tickets, with the launch airing on BBC One later this month.
They wrote: “Dust…
