Former ITV News presenter Katie Derham signs up for Strictly Come Dancing 2015

Former ITV News Presenter Katie Derham is the fifth celebrity contestant to be confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing on BBC One

She joins actress Georgia May Foote, TV chef and presenter Ainsley Harriott, radio presenter Jeremy Vine, actress Kellie Bright and weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, who were announced earlier this week.

“Strictly Come Dancing is a national treasure, and I’m extremely excited to be part of such a wonderful show,” said Katie.

“I spend hours admiring professional musicians and performers at the Proms and at BBC Radio 3, so I’m thrilled to have the chance to throw myself into an equally demanding and beautiful world. It will be a totally new experience for me, and I can’t wait to get going.”

Katie is one of the country’s most popular TV and Radio presenters. At the age of 27, she became the youngest ever national newsreader on British television. She hosted The Classic BRIT Awards and learned to conduct on the BBC show Maestro.

Nowadays, Katie is best known as the face of the BBC Proms, which are broadcast on BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Four and Radio 3. She also hosts primetime magazine show Proms Extra in addition to her regular show, Radio 3’s Afternoon On 3.

More celebrity contestants will be announced in due course.