Olympic medallist James Cracknell is the latest star to join the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2019.
The former rowing World champion made the announcement on Good Morning Britain this morning, telling hosts Kate Garraway and Ben Shephard that the “biggest challenge” would be “to give [himself] permission to look stupid, fail, let [himself] off the leash.”
In a statement released to the BBC, he added: “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year. 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.
“I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment.”
Addressing his latest venture on Twitter, Cracknell wrote: “Man, no going back now. Off to buy some fake tan, sequins and try to find some dancing ability, hmm.”
The 47-year-old won gold medals for towing at the 2000 Olympics in Sydney and the 2004 Olympics in Athens alongside Steve Redgrave and Matthew Pinsent.
Since retiring, he has taken part in a number of gruelling physical challenges including the Race Across the Atlantic and the Yukon Arctic Ultra, a 430 mile cycle race across Alaska.
Earlier this year he became the oldest ever Boat Race champion at age 46 when he joined the Cambridge University crew in the annual race against Oxford.
Cracknell will join celebrities including former England footballer David James, EastEnders actress Emma Barton, YouTuber Saffron Barkley, comedian Chris Ramsey, BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell, Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley, Viscountess Emma Weymouth, RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, former Lioness Alex Scott, Paralympic champion Will Bayley, Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing and DJ Dev Griffin.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn.
