Fans of Strictly Come Dancing were thrilled to bits when it was revealed that radio presenter Richie Anderson had made a comeback to the show for a special segment of Strictly: It Takes Two on Friday, December 2, just hours before the live show began at a different time and on a different day than usual.
Richie, 35, had been partnered with Gionvanni Pernice but became the second celebrity to be voted off by the judges - a devastating blow for the DJ, who had performed the Samba to Hakuna Matata from The Lion King - after failing to beat Katya Jones and football star Tony Adams in the dreaded dance off.
But tonight, he made his welcome return as he swapped his dancing shoes for a microphone as a special Strictly reporter, reporting from inside the ballroom ahead of the quarter-final.
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Regular presenter Rylan Clark, who made his return to the show tonight after being absent for some time, announced Richie's return at the start of the show, telling eager viewers, as reported by The Daily Star: "I have recruited someone very special to help me out today. He was last seen in a garish meerkat onesie, but today, Richie Anderson has had to go incognito to sneak past the security at Elstree to speak to our celebs.
He jokingly added: "The poor soul, bless him! They cancelled his pass the day he was booted off."
Richie replied: "I know, right, to think I used to be someone around here!"
Interviewing stars like Will Mellor - who spoke about his sweet tribute to his dad - Molly Rainford, Helen Skelton and Hamza Yassin, on how they were feeling and their pre-show rituals, viewers were delighted at this new role for the former Strictly celeb, with many taking to Twitter wishing for it to become a permanent fixture on the spin-off which is usually hosted by pro dancer Janette Manrara and Rylan Clarke.
One fan wrote: "Richie's onesie consolation prize being getting to be a roaming reporter for It Takes Two like he won a prize on The One Show."
Another commented: "I hope they bring him onto ITT permanently! Would love to see him doing this feature every Friday."
While a third suggested to start a campaign: "Campaign to get you on #ItTakesTwo as a regular reporter starts now ! Fantastic to have you on show".
Read next:
- BBC Strictly pro Nancy Xu 'gets angry' during rehearsals as Will Mellor tells her where she's going wrong
- Gavin & Stacey star says 'Christmas has come early' as he joins Strictly special line-up
- BBC Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood shares poignant story of how his grandfather inspired his career
- Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special line-up: TV presenter Rosie Ramsey follows husband Chris' dance steps
- When Rylan Clarke is back on It Takes Two as BBC viewers question presenter's absence
