Strictly runner-up John Whaite backs Angela Rippon and Layton Williams to shine
Whaite made Strictly historical past in 2021 alongside skilled dance companion Johannes Radebe as the primary all-male couple and completed as runners-up behind cleaning soap star Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice.
The 34-year-old is backing the present’s oldest contestant Rippon, who will probably be 79 when the programme is filmed, and Bad Education actor Williams to shine in the course of the twenty first collection of the BBC One dancing competitors, which kicks off this autumn.
He advised the PA news company whereas selling his new memoir Dancing On Eggshells: “The Strictly line-up this year, I am excited about them.
“I think Angela Rippon is going to be amazing, my money is on Angela… But also Layton, that kid is a star darling. I can’t wait to see what he does.
“I’ll be watching every week with my popcorn and baked goods.”
Rippon turned the primary common feminine news anchor on the BBC in 1975 and went on to host exhibits together with Strictly predecessor Come Dancing between 1988 to 1991.
She would be the present’s oldest contestant after TV persona Johnny Ball, the daddy of BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball, who took half in 2012 aged 74.
Meanwhile, Williams, who’s greatest recognized for taking part in Stephen Carmichael within the sitcom Bad Education, rose to fame as a baby, taking part in the title position in Billy Elliot The Musical in London’s West End.
The 28-year-old has additionally carried out in stage exhibits together with Thriller Live, Rent, Hairspray and, from 2019, he performed the title character in Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.
The pair are among the many 15 contestants placing their greatest foot ahead on the dance flooring this 12 months, alongside comic Les Dennis, former tennis star Annabel Croft, and cleaning soap actors Nigel Harman, Bobby Brazier, Ellie Leach and Adam Thomas.
The line-up additionally consists of Paralympic champion Jody Cundy, BBC Asian Network radio host Nikita Kanda, Channel 4 News presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, and former Love Island star Zara McDermott.
TV presenter Angela Scanlon may even function, alongside Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, and stand-up comedian Eddie Kadi.