Good Morning Britain broke the news that former rower James Cracknell was the fourteenth person to joining the Strictly Come Dancing class of 2019.
The 47-year-old is best known for his rowing achievements at the Olympic Games and since retiring from the sport, his extreme challenges across the globe.
A father-of-three, James was married for 17 years to TV presenter Beverley Turner. The couple announced their split in March of this year saying: "We can confirm that sadly we separated last year,” they said.
“Together, we remain committed to our amazing children, they are our absolute priority and wish people to be kind and mindful of this."
James joins a sparkling line-up of celebs vying for the glitterball this year.
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Who is James Cracknell?
A former rowing World Champion and double Olympic Gold Medallist, James won Olympic Gold in both the 2000 Sydney Games alongside Steve Redgrave & Matthew Pinsent and the 2004 Athens Games.
Since retiring James has carried out dangerous and gruelling challenges including The Race Across the Atlantic, where he and Ben Fogle finished first, and the Yukon Arctic Ultra, cycling over 430 miles in the race across the frozen Alaskan countryside becoming the highest placed Briton ever finishing 12th.
James is the BBC’s commentator for rowing, and was heavily involved in the coverage for the Rio Olympics in 2016.
He has more recently become the oldest ever Boat Race champion at 46 as part of Cambridge University’s crew as they rowed to victory at the 165th Boat Race. He has also just finished studying for his Masters in Philosophy from Cambridge University.
Didn't he have a cycling accident?
Yes, he did. In 2010 James was attempting to cycle, row, run and swim from LA to New York in 18 days. While cycling through Arizona he was hit by a petrol tanker from behind and suffered a brain injury.
After a difficult six-month recovery period, James went to the Canadian Yukon, completing The Coldest Race on Earth.
The incident left him with epilepsy and a changed personality. He and ex-wife, TV presenter Beverley Turner wrote a book in 2012 tackling the issues thrown up by the injury.
What does James say about joining Strictly?
James says: “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.”
