Pussycat Dolls stunner Ashley Roberts signs up for Strictly Come Dancing 2018
PUSSYCAT Dolls stunner Ashley Roberts has signed up for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing, The Sun’s Bizarre TV column can reveal.
The singer, 36 — who found fame in the American pop group alongside Nicole Scherzinger, 40 — was handpicked by Beeb bosses as this series’ big sexy signing.
She is the third contestant to be formally contracted for the hit BBC programme, and the second to have prior dance experience after we revealed Steps singer Faye Tozer, 42, had agreed to take part yesterday.
Capital FM's regional breakfast show presenter Vick Hope, 28, will also take part in the show.
Ashley began dancing at the age of three, and studied modern dance during breaks from secondary school.
The band, who are rumoured to be reuniting, even started as a burlesque troupe rather than a singing act.
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But the Arizona-born model is a familiar face on British telly, having co-hosted Ant and Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway for three years between 2013 and 2016.
She has also had stints in other reality shows — including I’m A Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, which she came second on in 2012, was a judge on Dancing on Ice and was a guest judge on Gary Barlow’s Let It Shine.
A show source said: “Ashley was a no brainer for the bookers. She’s sexy and sassy and has a bit about her.
“She has danced previously but there’s a difference between dancing in a girl band and doing ballroom.
“She definitely has rhythm but sometimes having prior dancing experience can be a hindrance as you have bad habits. But she will definitely look great in the sequins and is a solid signing.”
Ashley — who was nominated for a Grammy back in 2007 for her work in the US girlband — will now begin gruelling training to get ready for the series, which starts next month.
A spokeswoman for Strictly Come Dancing said: “We don’t comment on speculation and the full line-up is coming soon.”