‘What’s occurring?’: Strictly fans left confused as BBC Three jokingly announces latest contestant is Nessa from Gavin & Stacey
Strictly Come Dancing fans were left scratching their heads on Friday, after BBC Three tweeted out that the latest contestant to join the show was a fictional character.
The lineup for the 2022 series has been steadily revealed this week, with celebrities such as Matt Goss, Fleur East and Will Mellor taking part.
But fans were baffled when the official BBC Three Twitter account announced that Nessa from Gavin & Stacey would be the last addition to the lineup.
Baffled: Strictly Come Dancing fans were left scratching their heads on Friday, after BBC Three tweeted out that the latest contestant to join the show was a fictional character
It tweeted: ‘”Oh! What’s occurring?” Nessa is bringing Barry Island to the ballroom as the 20th celebrity contestant confirmed for #Strictly2022’.
This was posted alongside a picture of Nessa – who is played by Ruth Jones – against the Strictly backdrop.
The account also added a link to find out more, which led users to the Gavin & Stacey box set on BBC iPlayer.
People soon figured out the joke, but several were hoodwinked by the announcement and tweeted out their excitement.
Sorry not sorry: BBC Three later came clean about the prank, and took to Twitter once again to cheekily admit: ‘sorry @bbcpress and @bbcstrictly our hand slipped’
BBC Three later came clean about the prank, and took to Twitter once again to cheekily admit: ‘sorry @bbcpress and @bbcstrictly our hand slipped’.
It comes after the real last contestant was revealed to be Helen Skelton on Saturday morning on BBC Radio 2 during Claudia Winkleman’s breakfast show.
The TV and radio broadcaster, 39, was widely tipped to be taking part in the BBC ballroom show and her spot on the programme has now been confirmed as she completes the full celebrity line-up.
Helen said: ‘I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started.’
Confirmed: It comes after the real last contestant was revealed to be Helen Skelton on Saturday morning on BBC Radio 2 during Claudia Winkleman ‘s breakfast show
On Friday EastEnders actor James Bye, 38, – who has played the role of Martin Fowler in the BBC show since 2014 – was officially announced as the 14th star.
It comes after former X Factor star Fleur East and Countryfile star Hamza Yassin were revealed as the 12th and 13th stars on Thursday – joining earlier announced stars Kym Marsh, Ellie Taylor and Jayde Adams among others.
On Friday soap star James joked he is ready to show off his ‘dad dancing’ when he heads to the ballroom later this year.
As he was announced James said: ‘I’m not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes – in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it’s an honour to be asked and I’m going to give it my best shot.
‘There are some huge dance shoes to fill and it’s truly exciting to follow in the footsteps of some amazing EastEnders talent. I’d love to do everyone proud.’
The latest: On Friday EastEnders actor James Bye, 38, – who has played the role of Martin Fowler in the BBC show since 2014 – was officially announced as the 14th star.
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