Kaye Adams has revealed that she’s ‘delighted’ over a crucial change to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
The Loose Women star, 60, took part in last year’s series and was the oldest contestant to take part, with the broadcaster also the first to be voted off.
And after the 2023 line-up was unveiled, Kaye praised show bosses for the inclusion of more mature celebrities, noting: ‘It’s a really positive thing’.
Broadcaster Angela Rippon, who will turn 79 by the time the show starts, will be this year’s oldest contestant, followed by actor Les Dennis aged 69.
Speaking of the older line-up, Kaye told The Mirror: ‘I do think it’s a really positive thing and I’m glad that they’ve done it.
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Thrilled: Kaye Adams has revealed that she’s ‘delighted’ over a crucial change to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up
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Diverse: After the 2023 line-up was unveiled, Kaye praised show bosses for the inclusion of more mature celebrities, noting: ‘It’s a really positive thing’
‘Representation is a very important issue and I think sometimes people overlook age when they’re thinking about representation and inclusivity.
‘I’m not trying to say it’s more important than disability, or people from different backgrounds, but I think it can easily get overlooked, so I’m delighted that they’re including all ages.’
The average age of contestants on the upcoming show is 42, not far from the BBC show’s record high of age 45 back in 2010.
Opening up in the chat, Kaye went on to admit that she would’ve felt a lot more comfortable taking part in this year’s series as she wouldn’t have been the oldest.
She said: ‘I felt a pressure last year because I was the oldest and I was a bit self-conscious of it. Whereas this year with the average age being higher than it’s been for a while, there will be no need for anyone to feel that way.’
She added that if a contestant ‘relishes’ their time and throws themselves into their performances then that’ll be a ‘huge advantage’.
As well as Angela and Les, other stars taking part include newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy, 53, tennis ace Annabel Croft, 57, and actors Nigel Harman, 50, and Amanda Abbington, 51.
The youngest dancer will be EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, 20, with Corrie’s Ellie Leach, 22, also taking part.
Kaye added that due to Strictly being the ‘ultimate’ family show, it’s ‘important that it reflects the whole family’, remarking that the line-up is ‘a really good thing.’
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Dancer: The Loose Women star, 60, took part in last year’s series and was the oldest contestant to take part, with the broadcaster also the first to be voted off
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What a woman: Broadcaster Angela Rippon (pictured), who will turn 79 by the time the show starts, will be this year’s oldest contestant, followed by actor Les Dennis aged 69
The Strictly line-up is completed with Paralympic champion Jody Cundy, 44, Bad Education actor Layton Williams, 28, Asian network host Nikita Kanda, 28, comic Eddie Kadi, 40 and Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas, 35.
Les Dennis previously spoke about being apart one of the series’ oldest ever casts, admitting: ‘The whole thing about the age thing, I had a knee replacement but when you get offered things like this it puts a spring in your step’.
He also revealed that he would be turning 70 during his time on the show before quipping: ‘Only if I make it [to the big day]’.
