"I can’t wait to start learning to dance"
Krishnan Guru-Murthy is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed for the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The dance show will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn, once again bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the UK.
Krishnan is best known for being the lead anchor for Channel 4 News.
He also reports the foreign affairs series Unreported World and hosting live debates for Channel 4 during elections, referendums and major crises.
Krishnan also won the Royal Television Society Journalism Award for Best Network Presenter in 2022.
Since joining Channel 4 in 1998, he has covered major events from the Omagh bombing to the 9/11 attacks and from the Arab Spring to the Ukraine War.
He also commentates on live events for Channel 4 such as the Paralympics Ceremonies, and presents programmes outside the news including the first live televised Autopsy.
He presents the Channel 4 News podcast Ways to Change the World.
Krishnan started his TV career at the BBC, presenting youth programmes before moving onto Newsround, Newsnight, BBC World and News 24.
On joining Strictly, Krishnan said:
“I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘you only live once!’ and I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.
“I know I’m going to love it and have a brilliant time and just hope I’m not the only one enjoying my participation.”
Krishnan Guru-Murthy joins Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington and Bad Education star Layton Williams.
The 2023 lineup also includes Rip-Off Britain presenter Angela Rippon, who is set to be the show’s oldest contestant at 78.
Johnny Ball took part in the 2012 series aged 74.
Angela Rippon said: “Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me.
“A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango!”
On BBC’s One Show, Angela said:
“Why didn’t they ask me 10 years ago?”
“I love dance. Even if you are older, you can dance and feel strong.”
The 2022 series was won by Hamza Yassin, who presents shows like Animal Park and Let’s Go For A Walk.
The remaining celebrity contestants joining the new series will be announced in due course.