The ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ line-up announcements have thrown up another surprise name, in the form of radio presenter Vick Hope.
Fresh off the back of YouTuber Joe Suggs being unveiled as a contestant, bosses have revealed Vick will also be getting her dancing shoes on when the new series of the BBC ballroom show kicks off next month.
Open Image Modal
Vick Hope was announced as a 'Strictly' contestant on Wednesday
PA Wire/PA Images
You’d be forgiven for maybe not having heard of Vick before, but she is about to be propelled into household name territory thanks to ‘Strictly’.
So as a mini introduction, here’s everything you need to know about the star...
Vital Statistics
Vick was born and raised in Newcastle upon Tyne on 25 September 1989, making her 28 years old.
Her mother’s side of the family is from Nigeria, and many of her relatives still live there now.
Brain Box
Vick is one smart cookie as she studied as Cambridge University for four years.
Her degree was in Modern Languages as she describes herself as being multi-lingual.
Dulcet Tones
Chances you may recognise Vick’s voice more than her face, as she is one of the hosts of Capital Radio’s breakfast show, alongside Roman Kemp and Sonny Jay.
She made her debut on the show in 2017, after the departures of previous hosts Dave Berry, George Shelley and Lilah Parsons.
Open Image Modal
Vick with her Capital radio co-hosts Roman Kemp and Sonny Jay
PA Wire/PA Images
Multimedia Queen
It’s not just radio Vick is a master of, as she also presents for TV and online.
Currently, she hosts 4Music’s ‘Trending Live’ and ‘Box Fresh’ and is also a a mainstay reporter for ITN where she produces, scripts, edits and presents news and entertainment bulletins.
In 2018, Vick joined ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Voice Kids’ as the digital reporter, as well as fronting Sky One’s ‘Carnage’ alongside Freddie Flintoff and Lethal Bizzle.
As well as working for MTV and the Disney Channel, she’s also hosted coverage of biking events for Channel 4, Sky Sports and Eurosport, as well serving as a presenter on Fulham FC TV.
Vick also worked with Roman long before the Capital breakfast show, as the pair co-hosted ITV2′s ‘2Awesome’, which aired on Sunday afternoons.
Political Activity
Vick is a passionate advocate for human rights. She has worked with Amnesty International since the age of 16, and is currently an ambassador for them.
Earlier this year, he also hosted the stage at the Women’s March.
No Experience Necessary
Unlike some of her other competitors on this year’s ‘Strictly’, Vick is seemingly a dancefloor virgin.
In a statement she released when joining the show, she said: “Dances like Ballroom and Latin are totally outside my comfort zone but I love dancing, it makes people happy - myself included.”
Strictly Come Dancing 2018: All The Rumoured Contestants
Gemma Collins(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
Joey isn’t the only ‘TOWIE’ star to be linked to the new series. Gemma Collins’ approach to getting on the show was to threaten not to sue the BBC after she fell through the floor at last year’s Radio 1 Teen Awards if she was given a spot on ‘Strictly’.
But judge Craig Revel Horwood isn’t convinced, insisting the GC isn’t the right “calibre” for ‘Strictly’. But Gemma remained unrepentant, telling OK! Magazine: "I'll burst onto that dance floor and show them what a samba is! He won't know what's hit him." (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Piers Morgan(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
The ‘Good Morning Britain’ presenter could be following in his colleague Susanna Reid’s footsteps after he tweeted a snap of him dancing with former contender and Labour MP Ed Balls. He captioned the shot: "BREAKING: My #Strictly training has begun."
His nemesis Lord Sugar upped the stakes when he offered to donate £25,000 to charity if Piers does take part, and an additional £25,000 if he gets past week five. (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Dan Walker(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
Piers further fuelled rumours that he’d be taking to the ‘Strictly’ dance floor after his BBC Breakfast rival Dan Walker was linked to the new series. Piers said: “I would seriously consider [Strictly] if it meant giving Walker a lesson in how to dance in front of nine million people.” (credit:PA Archive/PA Images)
Michelle Keegan(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
‘Strictly’ did wonders for Michelle’s husband Mark Wright’s profile when he made the 2014 final. The former ‘Corrie’ star and ‘Our Girl’ actress has been rumoured to be at the top of ‘Strictly’ bosses’ wish-list for the last few years, so will we finally see her take to the dance floor in 2018? (credit:Samir Hussein via Getty Images)
Les Dennis(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
The former ‘Coronation Street’ actor has hinted on more than one occasion that he’d love to appear on ‘Strictly’. During an appearance on ‘Sunday Brunch’ he said: “When I was doing Coronation Street I was approached but we weren't allowed to do it, we had a policy. I wouldn't mind doing it, I always like a challenge."
He reiterated his interest during an appearance on ‘This Morning’ earlier this year, saying: "I would love to do it. Yes please. Ice skating, well maybe…that's more scary. But who knows.” (credit:Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
Nadiya Hussain(06 of08)
Open Image Modal
The ‘Bake Off’ champ is a big fan of 'Strictly' and after being invited to watch one of the live shows last year, BBC bosses reportedly made no secret of how much they’d love Nadiya to appear on the new series. (credit:HGL via Getty Images)
Holly Willoughby(07 of08)
Open Image Modal
The ‘This Morning’ presenter is a self-confessed ‘Strictly’ superfan, admitting that she’d “love” to learn some new moves on the 'Strictly' dancefloor. She admitted: "I'm obsessed with Strictly, so I'd love to learn to dance." (credit:PA Wire/PA Images)
Cheryl(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
We can’t help but think this is a serious case of wishful thinking, mainly on behalf of head judge Shirley Ballas who has stated she would love to see Chezza strutting her stuff. "I think Cheryl Cole would be amazing,” she said. So do we Shirl, but we reckon there’s more chance of Girls Aloud getting back together. (credit:Empics Entertainment)