The thirteenth and fourteenth Strictly Come Dancing celebrities have been revealed - Dev Griffin and James Cracknell OBE.
Dev Griffin is a radio presenter and DJ.
He said: “I just can’t believe I’m doing Strictly, it just doesn’t feel real yet! It’s going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I’m not doing this to take part, I’m totally in it to win it! I can’t wait to meet my partner and start practicing.”
Best known for presenting on BBC Radio 1, Dev began his career in children’s television on BBC Two every Sunday morning as a presenter and DJ to millions of young people. His popularity led to him hosting his own show on BBC’s 1Xtra and was soon fast tracked to BBC Radio 1. Dev did a long stint hosting early breakfast, warming the nation up for then host Chris Moyles who was later succeeded by Nick Grimshaw. Dev later moved to host the much-coveted Weekend breakfast show before taking over the now hugely popular weekend afternoon shows on Radio 1 from 1-4pm with Alice Levine.
He has also competed on Celebrity MasterChef, getting through to the final, as well as hosting BAFTA TV Awards and most recently appearing on Channel 4’s SAS Who Dares Wins for Stand Up To Cancer.
James Cracknell OBE, is a former rowing World Champion.
James said, “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.”
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.
In 2010, James attempted to cross America by cycling, running, rowing and swimming in record time. It was during this trip that James suffered a near fatal accident after being struck from behind by a truck while cycling through Arizona. After a difficult six-month recovery period, James went to the Canadian Yukon, completing The Coldest Race on Earth.
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.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One.
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