IT IS the news that everyone has been waiting for – Strictly is back.
Just the first few notes of the theme tune tells us that Christmas is just around the corner and life generally is going to get a bit more sparkly.
And it was Hampshire actor Tom Cawte who was chosen to deliver the news to the nation.
The 19-year-old from Bishop’s Waltham is the paperboy at the end of the new Strictly Come Dancing trailer delivering newspapers declaring that the sequined spectacular is returning to our screens for its 12th series tomorrow night.
Fortunately for the former Barton Peveril student his role didn’t involve too much dancing but he did have the honour of recreating the pose made famous by the show’s former host Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly.
Daly is back for the new series, but this will be the first without the veteran entertainer, who has been replaced with Claudia Winkleman.
But Tom isn’t the only Hampshire man stepping into the Strictly bubble this year.
Eastleigh’s Scott Mills is one of the celebrities in the line up for 2014 and the Radio 1 DJ cannot wait for his weekly fake tans.
As previously reported, former Crestwood School pupil will be tentatively stepping onto the dance floor along with 14 other stars including Frankie Sandford (below), The Saturdays singer and wife of former Saints player Wayne Bridge, Andy Murray’s mum Judy and Masterchef’s Gregg Wallace.
They will find out which professional dancer they will be partnered with in tomorrow night’s launch show.
Self-trained actor Tom will be tuning in to see how fellow local star Scott gets on in the show and hopes that the DJ has better footwork than he has.
Tom, who will debut on the big screen next year in the film London Fields, starring Johnny Depp and Billy Bob Thornton, said: “When I was first asked to audition I was really surprised because I have never been the most talented of dancers but luckily I didn’t have to do too many moves.
“I was also relieved that I wasn’t confronted with a pink sequined shirt to wear on the shoot, I was very happy with my cap and hoodie.
“It definitely isn’t what I expected my television break to be but it was great fun and it is great to be recognised and have my face out there.
“Hopefully seeing myself on television will be something I become accustomed to.”
To watch who Scott Mills gets partnered with, tune into BBC1 at 8pm tomorrow night.
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