Ed Glitterballs. Former Labour MP confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing
Former shadow chancellor Ed Balls is set to become the first male politician to compete on the main Strictly Come Dancing show, after the BBC confirmed his spot.
Ed Balls
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 8, 2016
Balls follows former business secretary Vince Cable in taking to the dancefloor, although the former Lib Dem MP only participated in a one-off special.
Anne Widdecombe and Edwina Currie have also donned the sequins, with the former lasting nine weeks, and the latter being kicked out after just two.
Rumours of Balls' appearance on the show led bookmakers last week to price the former MP for Morley & Outwood at 100/1 to win the show.
Reaction to the news from politicians has been postive, with Yvette Cooper, Balls' wife, backing her husband.
So, so envious #Strictly @BBCRadio2
— Yvette Cooper (@YvetteCooperMP) August 8, 2016
Meanwhile, Scottish Tories leader Ruth Davidson last week expressed her envy over the rumours.
And, all the while, just being that wee bit* jealous that @edballs is getting to do Strictly.
*pure raging
— Ruth Davidson (@RuthDavidsonPC) August 2, 2016