Strictly Come Dancing announce eighth celebrity contestant

Strictly Come Dancing logo
(Image credit: BBC)

They'll be joining the likes of CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell, Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley and former England goalkeeper David James...

Strictly Come Dancing has revealed its seventh celebrity contestant.

Viscountess Emma Weymouth will be joining the other famous faces competing for the Glitterball trophy in September.

“I absolutely love watching Strictly every weekend and I can’t believe that I’m getting the chance to be on this series.,” she said.

“I know it will be such an amazing experience from start to finish. I can’t wait for the dancing and the fabulous outfits!"

The Viscountess is a businesswoman, chef, model and philanthropist.

Following her marriage in 2013 to Ceawlin Thynn, Viscount Weymouth, Emma became the chatelaine of the Longleat Estate in Wiltshire.

Emma was born in London in 1986 to a British mother and Nigerian father and was raised in South Kensington where she was head girl at Queen's Gate School. She later attended University College London where she studied History of Art.

MORE: Anton Du Beke ‘threatened to QUIT Strictly' after judging role snub

In 2015 Emma launched 'Emma's Kitchen' at Longleat, a space for her to share her love of food and cooking using the backdrop of the original kitchens within Longleat House.

In addition, Emma is a contributing editor for British Vogue, makes regular appearances as a guest chef on James Martin's Saturday Morning TV show and is a model and ambassador for various brands.

In the area of animal conservation Emma is particularly involved in Longleat's project to help save the Northern White Rhino and its work with the charity TUSK.

Motsi Strictly Come Dancing 2019

The celebrity contestant announcements come a few weeks after Motsi Mabuse was confirmed as the new judge.

The professional dancer and judge on Let’s Dance (the German version of Strictly) admitted she can’t wait to get started after landing the lucrative gig.

“I am absolutely overjoyed to be joining the Strictly judging panel,” Motsi said. “I have so much respect and admiration for the other three judges and hope to add my own bit of sparkle to the show. I can’t wait to get started!”

Jenni McKnight

Jenni McKnight is a beauty, lifestyle and entertainment journalist, currently US Lifestyle Editor for HELLO! Online. She has also written for HELLO! Magazine, GoodTo, CelebsNow, Daily Mirror and Yahoo!  Her first big break came when she interned on the Guilty Pleasures showbiz desk at Metro newspaper. She has since worked on the online lifestyle team at Woman & Home and Woman and was Senior Content Editor at CelebsNow.