Danny Cipriani is the latest star to join the Strictly Christmas special cast — just days after he was forced to pull out of I’m A Celebrity.
The former England fly-half, 36, is one of six famous faces that will be showing off their best moves in the festive episode. Danny will be teaming up with pro dancer Jowita Przystał – in a bid to impress judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke, Head Judge Shirley Ballas, and the voting studio audience.
He’ll be joined confirmed celebrities EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick, broadcaster Dan Snow., actress Tillie Amartey, BBC Breakfast's Sally Nugent and Sugababes singer Keisha Buchanan.
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Speaking about his Strictly stint, Danny said: “I’ve always enjoyed the concept of Strictly Come Dancing, it wasn’t something I ever thought I’d do. After addressing my own ideas and beliefs, I am very much looking forward to expressing myself through dance with no limitations. Strictly brings joy to everyone’s living rooms, being a part of that for Christmas Day will be special.”
The news of Danny joining the Strictly Christmas special cast comes days after it was reported he had to withdraw from this year's edition of I'm A Celebrity due to the unraveling of his two-year marriage. Danny was set to make a substantial six-figure income for his appearance in the Jungle, reports MailOnline, with ITV executives working diligently to secure his participation.
Danny’s inclusion even inspired other potential contestants to join the show. However, just days before the program's anticipated broadcast, the 36-year-old athlete announced his separation from his wife, Victoria. This unexpected development reportedly shocked bosses as his involvement had been highly anticipated.
It's claimed trouble began to brew in September when Victoria, 42, expressed reservations about the explicit content in Danny's autobiography. The former England ace boasted about his past liaisons.
In his autobiography, he stated that he slept with "three women a day, from porn stars to actresses to girls I meet at the coffee shop." This revelation about his "wild" past seemed to have triggered a series of hostile exchanges, ultimately leading to the couple's separation.
Danny was dubbed "one of the most exciting signings for this series." In August, a source said: "He will be the hunk of the lineup, and already there is talk of him and shower scenes amongst staff working on the program.
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"There is also huge anticipation that he will reveal secrets from his showbiz lifestyle, he has been linked to many women over the years, and his scandals are well documented too so there will be lots for him to share." Danny, known for his past associations with high-profile figures such as the late Caroline Flack, Lindsay Lohan, and television presenter Kirsty Gallacher, was poised to earn at least double the compensation of other contestants, including This Morning's Josie Gibson.
A close friend of Victoria's told MailOnline: "Victoria knew that dating a high-profile sportsman would attract unwanted attention to their relationship. However, some of the stories in Danny's book, especially regarding his sex life with past lovers, were pretty hard to absorb when written down in black and white for everyone to see."
The source continued, "The marriage was never the same afterward." Victoria took to Instagram earlier this week to share with her 11,000 followers that her divorce is "one of the worst times in my life."
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