Strictly announces Love Islands Zara McDermott for line-up in show first

Former Love Island star Zara McDermott has been announced as the seventh contestant to take part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

The 26-year-old presenter, who first rose to fame on the ITV2 dating show in 2018, has made show history as the first Love Island alum to dance in the ballroom.

Following on from her time on the island, Zara has gone on to make impactful documentaries for the BBC and has hosted her very own dating show, Love in the Flesh.

READ MORE: BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 'signs up former England footballer' for new series

The news of the bombshell's Strictly stint was announced Monday (August 7) on BBC's Radio 1, where she admitted she was "nervous" about the stint.

Asked how she was feeling on Radio 1's Going Home with Vick and Jordan, Zara, said: "I am nervous, excited. Every single emotion honestly, I can not wait."

Jamie went on to ask the star if she had thought about the type of dance moves she'll do.

Zara, who is currently dating Made In Chelsea star Sam Thompson, replied: "I've been rewatching last year in detail, analysing everything. Every dance I'm scared!


Have you joined Threads? Follow Daily Star to keep up to date on all things showbiz here

"I'm scared but I'm excited. There are challenges with everything.

"I think I'm excited for the ballroom, the more slower stuff and yeah I'm excited.

The news comes after presenter Angela Scanlon, who is best known for hosting Your Home Made Perfect on BBC Two as well as her work on The One Show and Robot Wars, was announced as the sixth celebrity to participate in the dance show.

Sharing her thoughts, Angela said: "I’m terrified, I’m excited and I have so many questions. Will they make me tan? How itchy are sequins?! Do they do flesh coloured sports bras?

"Well – there’s only one way to find out, right!? Now I’m panicking a bit… but also secretly thrilled about the prospect of all that glitter. Let’s go!" She exclaimed.

Asked if she was able to keep the news a secret, she said: "I've told a few people… I think I've been grappling myself and hoping for some feedback.

"So I've been saying: 'What do you think about this?' I don't know that I've kept it [secret]. I was ready to burst!"

As well as Zara and Angela, Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon and Layton Williams have all been announced as this year's contestants.

For more of the latest showbiz and TV news from the Daily Star, make sure you sign up to one of our newsletters here.

Source: Read Full Article