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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Entertainment
Staff and agencies

Chris Evans confirms he will appear on Strictly Come Dancing in 2019

Chris Evans will appear on Strictly next year
Chris Evans will appear on Strictly next year Photograph: BBC/PA

Chris Evans has confirmed he’s swapping the studio for the dancefloor after he announced he will appear on Strictly Come Dancing next year.

The presenter and radio host, who is leaving Radio 2 to start a new breakfast show on Virgin Radio in January 2019, said he has spoken to show bosses, although he has not yet signed up officially.

While appearing on The One Show on Wednesday, host Alex Jones asked him to confirm or deny rumours he is going to appear on the long-running BBC show. Evans said: “Well, I have said yes, I have said yes.”

Evans, who will host his final show for Radio 2 on 24 December, said he met the commissioning editor of Strictly for a cup of tea and was warned, “it’s not as easy as maybe you imagine it will be”.

He added: “I think what’s funny about it, everyone puts it off and tries and keep it a secret. No. Announce now: we’re doing it.”

Evans, 52, announced in September that he was quitting BBC Radio 2 and returning to Virgin, almost 20 years after he left. His new programme will start on 21 January.

Evans is being replaced by Zoe Ball at Radio 2 where his listenership figures have slumped, sliding below nine million listeners a week for the first time since 2012.

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