Bake Off winner John Whaite to be part of Strictly's first all-male couple

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 05 August 2021

John Whaite is confirmed to be part of the Strictly Come Dancing lineup as part of the show's first male-male coupling.

John Whaite has been confirmed for the Strictly Come Dancing lineup and will be one half of the show's first ever male-male coupling.

The 33-year-old won the third series of The Great British Bake Off in 2012 and has since carved out a career as a TV chef and cookery author.

The identity of Whaite's pro partner has yet to be revealed but it is rumoured to be hunky Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima, who last competed with Vick Hope in 2018.

"I'm so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family," said Whaite.

"I've been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can't wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth.

"What's more exciting for me, is that I'm going to be one half of the first all-male partnership, which is a great step forward in representation and inclusion.

"Whoever it is I'm paired with, I hope they are up for a challenge as I want our routines to include lots of spectacular lifts!"

Whaite becomes the fourth confirmed contestant for this year's series, joining previously-announced trio Tom Fletcher, Robert Webb and AJ Odudu.

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