Former 80s pop star revealed as fifth Strictly Come Dancing contestant
Holy glitterballs!
Published 11th Aug 2017 Last updated 1st Sep 2017
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have been revealing the new series' contestants thick and fast this week and today the fifth contestant has been announced.
Former 80s pop star, now priest, Reverend Richard Coles will be joining the star-studded line-up.
Speaking about his involvement with the show Reverend Coles said, "Cometh the hour, cometh the overweight Vicar with arthritis in his knees."
Reverend Coles is the only vicar in Britain to have had a number one single with his former band The Communards. Since leaving the band he has become a writer, broadcaster and Church of England priest.
In the mid-80s The Communards had a string of top 40 hits including 'Never Can Say Goodbye', 'So Cold The Night' and their number one single from 1986 single 'Don't Leave Me This Way'.
Check out the video for 'Don't Leave Me This Way' below:
Reverend Coles will be joining the already star-studded line-up of radio presenter Gemma Atkinson, former The Saturdays singer Mollie King, EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami and This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford.
Yesterday Gemma Atkinson, the breakfast co-presenter on our sister station Key 103 was confirmed as the fourth contestant for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Speaking to her Key 103 co-presenters Matt Haslam and Mike Toolan, Gemma explained the reason she's signed up for the popular dancing show.
She said, “It’s crazy, you only live once so you have to challenge yourself and get out of your comfort zone! Put me in a gym with a load of lads and dumbbells I’m fine, put me on a dance floor in a frock and it’s way out of my comfort zone, so I’ve got to do it.”
Despite Gemma describing herself as 'bambi on ice' when she hits the dance floor, she said, "I'm hoping to get a good partner and I'll graft on the lessons and I do pick things up quickly!"
See the full list of celebs so far in the gallery below:
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Former 80s pop star revealed as fifth Strictly Come Dancing contestant
2 of 16
Brian Conley
Comedian and TV presenter Brian Conley said he was most looking forward to "being taught by a professional dancer" on the new series.
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Mollie King
Mollie King
Former The Saturdays singer Mollie King was the first contestant to be revealed for the 2017 series.
Speaking ahead of her time on the show, she said, "I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing so I can't actually believe I'm lucky enough to be taking part in it this year! I'm literally so excited to learn latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can't wait to get into the sequins."
Mollie first shot to fame when she joined girl band The Saturdays and enjoyed great success with hits such as 'Work', 'Up' and 'What About Us'.
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami was the second celebrity to be confirmed by Strictly bosses.
Speaking ahead of his time on the dance floor, he said, "Having the opportunity to take part in this year's Strictly is an honour."
The actor is mostly known for his role as Kush Kazemi in EastEnders and has also starred in TV shows such as The Bill and Law & Order.
Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford
This Morning star Ruth Langsford was the third celebrity to be revealed for the 2017 series. Ruth expressed her 'excitement' and 'nerves' when her husband Eamonn Holmes announced the news during an episode of This Morning!
Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Atkinson
Radio presenter and former Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson was the fourth celebrity to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing. Despite Gemma describing herself as 'bambi on ice' when she hits the dance floor, she said, "I'm hoping to get a good partner and I'll graft on the lessons and I do pick things up quickly!"
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles is the fifth contestant to be announced for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The former 80s pop star had hits with his group The Communards with 'Don't Leave Me This Way' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye'.
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden was the sixth celebrity to be revealed for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. He is best known for playing the role of Raffaello 'Raf' di Lucca in Holby City.
Simon Rimmer
Simon Rimmer
Celebrity chef and co-presenter on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer was revealed as the seventh contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. He says he has never tried ballroom dancing, but he is a massive fan of the show.
Aston Merrygold
Aston Merrygold
Former JLS singer Aston Merrygold was the eighth celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
Speaking about the show, Aston said he's both nervous and excited to be joining Strictly.
Susan Calman
Susan Calman
Scottish comedian and TV presenter Susan Calman was the ninth celebrity to be announced for the show.
Susan admitted to not wearing a dress and heels since she was 17 and said Strictly was a'dream come true'.
Charlotte Hawkins
Charlotte Hawkins
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins was the 11th celebrity to be confirmed for this year's series.
Charlotte admitted she's 'thrilled' to be on the show and can't wait to follow in the footsteps of her Good Morning Britain colleagues.
Chizzy Akudolu
Chizzy Akudolu
Actress Chizzy was the 12th celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
The actress left her role in Holby City back in June after five years on show. She's also starred in shows such as Hollyoaks, The Inbetweeners, EastEnders and Twenty Twelve.
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke won the fifth series of The X Factor back in 2008.
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee is the widow of magician Paul Daniels, and starred as his glamorous assistant during his routines.
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock, MBE, is an English sprint runner who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics.
Brian Conley
Comedian and TV presenter Brian Conley said he was most looking forward to "being taught by a professional dancer" on the new series.
Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing
Mollie King
Mollie King
Former The Saturdays singer Mollie King was the first contestant to be revealed for the 2017 series.
Speaking ahead of her time on the show, she said, "I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing so I can't actually believe I'm lucky enough to be taking part in it this year! I'm literally so excited to learn latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can't wait to get into the sequins."
Mollie first shot to fame when she joined girl band The Saturdays and enjoyed great success with hits such as 'Work', 'Up' and 'What About Us'.
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami was the second celebrity to be confirmed by Strictly bosses.
Speaking ahead of his time on the dance floor, he said, "Having the opportunity to take part in this year's Strictly is an honour."
The actor is mostly known for his role as Kush Kazemi in EastEnders and has also starred in TV shows such as The Bill and Law & Order.
Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford
This Morning star Ruth Langsford was the third celebrity to be revealed for the 2017 series. Ruth expressed her 'excitement' and 'nerves' when her husband Eamonn Holmes announced the news during an episode of This Morning!
Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Atkinson
Radio presenter and former Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson was the fourth celebrity to be announced for Strictly Come Dancing. Despite Gemma describing herself as 'bambi on ice' when she hits the dance floor, she said, "I'm hoping to get a good partner and I'll graft on the lessons and I do pick things up quickly!"
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles is the fifth contestant to be announced for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
The former 80s pop star had hits with his group The Communards with 'Don't Leave Me This Way' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye'.
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden was the sixth celebrity to be revealed for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. He is best known for playing the role of Raffaello 'Raf' di Lucca in Holby City.
Simon Rimmer
Simon Rimmer
Celebrity chef and co-presenter on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer was revealed as the seventh contestant on Strictly Come Dancing. He says he has never tried ballroom dancing, but he is a massive fan of the show.
Aston Merrygold
Aston Merrygold
Former JLS singer Aston Merrygold was the eighth celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
Speaking about the show, Aston said he's both nervous and excited to be joining Strictly.
Susan Calman
Susan Calman
Scottish comedian and TV presenter Susan Calman was the ninth celebrity to be announced for the show.
Susan admitted to not wearing a dress and heels since she was 17 and said Strictly was a'dream come true'.
Charlotte Hawkins
Charlotte Hawkins
Good Morning Britain presenter Charlotte Hawkins was the 11th celebrity to be confirmed for this year's series.
Charlotte admitted she's 'thrilled' to be on the show and can't wait to follow in the footsteps of her Good Morning Britain colleagues.
Chizzy Akudolu
Chizzy Akudolu
Actress Chizzy was the 12th celebrity to be confirmed for the show.
The actress left her role in Holby City back in June after five years on show. She's also starred in shows such as Hollyoaks, The Inbetweeners, EastEnders and Twenty Twelve.
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke won the fifth series of The X Factor back in 2008.
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee
Debbie McGee is the widow of magician Paul Daniels, and starred as his glamorous assistant during his routines.
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock, MBE, is an English sprint runner who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics.
Brian Conley
Comedian and TV presenter Brian Conley said he was most looking forward to "being taught by a professional dancer" on the new series.
The upcoming series, which will hit TV screens next month, is the 15th series of the popular dancing show.
After first hitting our screens back in 2004, the show has grown in popularity and has had a number of high profile winners including Alesha Dixon, Harry Judd and last year’s champion Ore Oduba.
