Olympic gold medal-winning rower James Cracknell has become the latest celebrity contestant to be confirmed for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly 2019 just got even more oarsome! Say hello to Olympic rower @jamescracknell! 🥇https://t.co/smJWIBMJ39 pic.twitter.com/dIJroXyr0N
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 7, 2019
"Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it's time I learned a new skill," he said.
"I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment."
Cracknell revealed he would be taking part in Strictly when he appeared on ITV's Good Morning Britain on Wednesday.
A gold medal winner at the Olympics in 2000 and 2004, 47-year-old Cracknell became the oldest winner of the UK's University Boat Race in April, just a few weeks before his 47th birthday.
The athlete and adventurer has overcome a serious head injury sustained in a near-fatal cycling accident in the US in 2010. At the time, Cracknell was trying to set a new record for crossing the US that also involved him running, rowing and swimming. Since the accident, he has become a leading advocate for cycling helmets, and has credited his survival to the fact that he was wearing one at the time of the crash.
Cracknell, who has recently completed his studies for a Master's Degree in Philosophy from Cambridge University, is the 14th contestant to be announced for the new series of Strictly.
Former footballer David James, comedian Chris Ramsey, EastEnders star Emma Barton, social media star Saffron Barker and former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley are also part of the line-up.
BBC Breakfast's Mike Bushell, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, chef Emma Thynn, RuPaul Drag Race's star Michelle Visage, Paralympic champion Will Bayley, Made in Chelsea's Jamie Laing, former footballer and presenter Alex Scott and DJ Dev Griffin complete the line-up of contestants announced so far.
