Brenda Edwards, a star of Loose Women, has joined Strictly Come Dancing.
The 54-year-old X Factor contestant is described as a “dream signing” with a “big audience” who will stick with her all the way to the end.
She’ll be following in the footsteps of her co-stars, including Kaye Adams, who have danced on the ballroom floor in the past.
The 60-year-old faced up against reigning glitterball champion Hamza Yassin, who defeated Helen Skelton and Fleur East to win the trophy with partner Jowita Pryzstal.
A source said: ‘Brenda is a dream signing. She has a huge fanbase from Loose Women and the talent to go all the way.’
The insider added to The Mirror: ‘She also has a very emotional backstory – the nation adores Brenda.’
Following the passing of her son Jamal, who passed away in February 2022 at the age of 31, the country has supported Brenda during this trying year.
She recently noted, when discussing her sadness, ‘It might be outside while I’m walking and one minute I’m fine and then the next I’m in tears.
‘There’s no rhyme or reason as to how grief affects me, I’ve not got a manual for how to grieve. And so if I want to cry, then I’m going to cry.’
She continued to The Sun: ‘I’m trying to do what I can to continue Jamal’s legacy and a massive part of what he wanted to do was to help young people, to give them a voice, the confidence and something to believe in.’
The suspicions follow reports that Sophie Morgan, Brenda’s co-star on Loose Women, may also compete this year. If true, she would be the first participant in the show’s history to use a wheelchair.
The TV host had a T6 spinal cord damage in a vehicle accident in 2003, leaving her paralysed at the age of 18.
A source had previously said: ‘She already has a huge fan base from Loose Women and is a huge advocate of using her platform to promote inclusivity.
‘It’s still very early stages and the crew will officially start on pre-production in the coming months.’
The insider added to The Sun that Sophie is ‘very glamorous’ and would look incredible in the sequins and glitter.
This comes after paralympian Ellie Simmonds enjoyed great success during her appearance on the programme last season with Nikita Kuzmin, while Rose Ayling-Ellis made history as the first-ever deaf competitor, winning the 2021 series with Giovanni Pernice.
Former Love Island star Zara McDermott, former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman, and Jade Goody’s son, EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier, are more celebrities said to be competing in Strictly this year.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year.
Source My Celebrity Life.
