BBC star signs up for Strictly Come Dancing after quitting news job for music career
WEATHERMAN Owain Wyn Evans is the latest star to sign up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The BBC favourite, 39, will have to combine his dancing training with his new job hosting Radio 2’s Early Breakfast Show.
Sources close to him confirmed the news as the BBC officially unveiled the first three of its 2023 contestants.
They are veteran broadcaster Angela Rippon, 78, Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, 49, and Bad Education actor Layton Williams, 28.
A pal said: “Owain can’t wait to get started on Strictly.
“He’s a huge fan of the show and has a genuine interest in dancing, despite being a novice.
“Owain appreciates he’ll have it tougher than most, given he’ll continue his daily radio hosting duties, but he’s up for the challenge.”
The Welsh star was previously a weatherman on BBC Breakfast and went viral in 2020 during the pandemic when he produced a video of himself drumming to the BBC News theme tune.
The following year he completed a 24-hour drumathon in support of the charity Children in Need.
Owain, who is a patron of the charity LGBT Foundation, is regarded as one of the BBC’s rising stars and has been given guest presenting roles on The One Show.
Last year he appeared in reality series Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof — forming a strong bond with Strictly pro dancer Dianne Buswell, 34, who also took part.
They could potentially be paired on Strictly — which is also set to feature soap star Adam Thomas and ex-Love Island pin-up Zara McDermott.
Carol Kirkwood, Owain’s ex-BBC Breakfast colleague, appeared on Strictly in 2015.
Meanwhile, former BBC newsreader Angela — set to be the dance contest’s oldest contestant — called the challenge “a scary one, considering I’m about to be 79”.