Nicola Adams is set to make Strictly Come Dancing history by becoming the first contestant to dance with a partner of the same sex.
The news was announced on Wednesday's BBC Breakfast as Adams, 37, became the sixth star confirmed to be taking part in this year's series.
Adams, who won gold at both London 2012 and Rio 2016, is dating Ella Baig and has been praised as an LGBT role model.
The star did a seriously good job of keeping the news under wraps too with tabloids first reporting the plans just hours before Adams' place on the show was officially announced.
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she said: “I have told probably three people, so not that many people knew I was going to be in this. I was keeping it a secret.
“It’s really important. It’s a big step for the show and it’s nice to see that we are able to move on. I just can’t wait to get some dancing done.”
Asked whether she approached the show about being part of a same-sex pairing, she said: “I asked the show about it. They wanted to know if I wanted to be on the show but I said ‘Yeah, I will do it but I want to dance with another female dance partner.’
“I know it’s going to be tough, I know the training is going to be hard and I can’t dance at all so this is going to be a totally new challenge for me.”
Nicola Adams - In pictures
Strictly bosses have faced increased calls to feature a same-sex couple in recent years, with Steps singer Ian 'H' Watkins laying down the gauntlet after starring on Dancing On Ice with Matt Evers.
The 2019 series saw two male professionals perform together for the first time, with Graziano di Prima and Johannes Radebe taking to the floor for a stunning, history-making routine.
This year's Strictly series will be shorter than usual with the start date delayed due to the pandemic.
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Bruno Tonioli will be missing from the Saturday night live shows as he is unable to travel backwards and forwards from the US, where he also judges Dancing with the Stars.
He will feature on the Sunday night results shows via videolink.
Additional reporting by Press Association
