Former Gladiator and Olympian Montell Douglas is set to dazzle audiences as the newest star added to the Strictly Come Dancing line-up. Known for her role as Fire in the BBC One series Gladiators, Douglas is no stranger to the spotlight.
At 38 years old, Douglas is a former British woman’s 100m sprint record holder and competed in the Beijing Winter Olympics bobsleigh team in 2022. She expressed her excitement at joining the show, stating that her “Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble.”
The news of Douglas joining the show was revealed on the set of Strictly Come Dancing, currently being filmed in Sheffield. She joins actor Jamie Borthwick and fellow Olympian Tom Dean, who were announced earlier.
Dean, a three-time Olympic champion, expressed his enthusiasm for the new challenge of dancing on the show. He made history at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics as the first British man to win a gold medal for the men’s 200m swim freestyle in over 100 years. Dean has since continued his success, winning multiple gold medals at various competitions.
Borthwick, known for his role in EastEnders, joked about “Salsa-ing around Albert Square” and shared his excitement for the new experience of learning a new dance every week.
The 2024 Strictly Come Dancing line-up is shaping up to be one of the most diverse and talented casts yet, with a mix of actors, athletes, singers, and even a doctor. With each new announcement, the anticipation for the upcoming season continues to grow.
