The first contestant for Strictly Come Dancing 2018 has been announced. Katie Piper, the broadcaster, charity campaigner and inspirational speaker, appeared on BBC Breakfast this morning to announce that she will appear on the forthcoming 16th series.
Piper first rose to prominence after she became the subject of a Channel 4 documentary, Katie: My Beautiful Face, in which she detailed her experience as the victim of an acid attack and sexual assault at the hands of her former partner, Daniel Lynch.
Piper went on to create further series for the broadcaster, releasing another short film, Katie: the Science of Seeing Again which followed her stem cell surgery to repair her damaged left eye and two further series, one which saw her meeting other burn victims and Bodyshockers, which explored both the gains and perils of cosmetic surgery.
The star has since gone on to become a philanthropist, acclaimed inspirational speaker and write a bestselling autobiography.
In a statement, Piper said: "I feel so privileged and excited to be part of my favourite show on TV. I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can’t wait to show my girls some of my new dance moves.
Katie Piper has spoken openly about the attack in 2008 (Picture: Mark R. Milan/GC Images)
Katie Piper is the first confirmed Strictly Come Dancing celebrity but some fans of the show have been wondering how she became famous.
Katie, 34, started her career as a model, dreaming of a career modelling for magazines, presenting TV programmes and appearing as a regular face in the media.
However, a horrific incident in 2008 threatened to shatter her dream when her ex-boyfriend arranged for a man to attack her with acid on a busy London street.
In 2008, Katie began dating Daniel Lynch. The pair had only been dating for two weeks when they arranged to stay in a London hotel after a dinner date one night.
Katie Piper arrives at the TRIC Awards 2010, two years after the attack, held at The Grosvenor House Hotel on March 9, 2010 in London, England. (Picture: Dave Hogan/Getty Images)
It was during this hotel stay that Daniel raped and attacked Katie, leaving her fearing for her life but she abruptly ended the relationship.
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However, persistent apologies from Daniel soon saw Katie answering his calls and she eventually agreed to read an email he had sent her on Facebook.
As Katie later explained in an interview with Mail Online: ‘In one of Danny’s calls he’d told me he’d got a present for me that would change my life for ever. I knew instantly that he was behind it.’
Katie’s own internet service was down so she headed to an internet cafe on Golders Green Road and recalls how Daniel had phoned her as she made her way there, asking her what she was wearing, which she duly answered.
But as Katie went to cross the road, attacker Stefan Sylvestre approached her and, while she thought he was going to ask for money, he threw a cup of acid in her face.
‘I could hear someone screaming and screaming and kept wishing they’d be quiet. Then I realised it was me,’ she added.
‘I was standing in the street with people walking past me and I could feel my face evaporating. I thought I was on fire as the acid ate at my skin.’
Katie Piper pictured before the vicious acid attack (Picture: PA)
Katie Piper pictured before the acid attack (Picture: PA)
Katie suffered life-changing burns to her face, chest and arms, undergoing countless operations and procedures to heal the scars left by the attack.
The attack had been caught on CCTV, with both Lynch and Sylvestre being arrested. Lynch received two life sentences, while Sylvestre received one too.
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It was then in 2009, one year after her attack, that Katie decided to waive her anonymity and appeared in Channel 4 documentary Katie: My Beautiful Face to raise awareness of what victims like her go through.
Katie Piper at the launch of the Katie Piper Foundation at Sony Headquarters in July 2010 (Picture: Ian Gavan/Getty Images)
Describing the attack in a 2009 interview with Daily Mail, Katie said: ‘The pain was indescribable, but for a split second I remember thinking, “How rude to throw coffee when I was trying to help him.” I could feel my skin and clothes burning off me.’
Later reflecting, she added: ‘I’m never going to be the old Katie. She’s like a best friend I once had,’ she admits.
‘She’s gone and there’s a different one in her place. I’m not going to be a victim. I’m the woman who got through this. I’m full of life and looking forward to the future.’
Katie has previously admitted turning to alcohol to ‘feel like anybody else buy herself’ following her harrowing attack.
The 34-year-old admitted she often drank alone until the early hours of the morning at her home as she battled anxiety following her ordeal.
She lost sight in one eye after sulphuric acid was hurled in her face in 2008.
The activist spoke about her binge drinking on the opening night of her one-woman stage show (Picture: Doug Peters/EMPICS Entertainment)
‘I almost destroyed myself six or seven years into my recovery. I can talk about the attack and graphic photos quite easily but this part is difficult because I’ve never talked about it before,’ the TV presenter said on the opening night of her one-woman stage show, What’s In My Head, Mirror Online reports.
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‘I’d drink wine, move on to a dodgy spirit, then your cousin’s birthday champagne – then you hear a noise and it’s your neighbours going to work and it’s 7am.
‘I was drinking to feel numb. To feel absolutely nothing until I felt unconsciousness. I was drinking to be someone else.’
The TV presenter married her partner Richard Sutton in 2014 (Picture: Isabel Infantes/PA Wire)
The brave activist was at the height of her boozing in 2013 when she met builder and carpenter Richard Sutton, whom she later married.
‘People have seen photos of my husband at red carpet events but nobody has really heard about what he did behind all of that.’
Katie Piper and Richard James Sutton in 2018 (Picture: Karwai Tang/WireImage)
Katie Piper and Richard James Sutton attend the National Television Awards in January 2018 (Picture: Dave J Hogan/Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Piper has since gone on to be an inspiration for other acid attack and burns victims across the country.
As well as her documentary Katie has appeared in a number of other TV shows raising awareness for burns victims and giving them hope at what can be done to help, as well as writing an autobiography, magazine columns, making numerous public appearances and working on her charity the Katie Piper Foundation.
Katie is now married with two children. She announced her engagement to Richard James Sutton in December 2014, tying the knot in November 2015.
They welcomed their first daughter, Belle Elizabeth, in March 2014 and their second, Penelope Diane, in December 2017.
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Katie’s Strictly announcement came with her discussing her fears about taking part.
‘It took a while to say yes because it’s something way out of my comfort zone,’ she said.
‘The only person I told was my husband and he thought I was joking.
Katie Piper is the first contestant announced for Strictly (Picture: Getty, BBC)
‘I’m worried I’ll be the first to go home, the fear I have is I don’t have the natural rhythm. But I like a challenge, anything I can’t do it inspires me to learn it.’
When asked who she’d like to be partnered with, she said: ‘I would really like to be partnered with Giovanni, but I have no sway in that at all.
‘So watch out Giovanni, I’m coming for you!’
‘I hope to come away with a different kind of confidence in a different area of my life,’ she said of why she’s taking part. ‘I think it gives a wider message, my past is irrelevant, to be able to go forward and do these things is a bigger wider message.
Thank you for all your lovely messages. I’m super excited but very nervous about being a contestant on this years @bbcstrictly it’s going to be a challenge but everyone who knows me knows I love a challenge so here goes… a new chapter in my life! #strictly2018 #bbcbreakfast pic.twitter.com/hVBQnloqce — Katie Piper (@KatiePiper_) August 13, 2018
‘That’s something I want to take forward, and it’s nice to be part of something so light-hearted!’
Strictly will start filming this month, with the rest of the names to be announced across the next two weeks ahead of the series’ red carpet launch at the end of the month.
(Picture: Guy Levy/Bafta/Rex/Shutterstock)
The final three contestants in previous years have been revealed on a special episode of The One Show. This year, the second contestant will be named on Monday night’s episode of the BBC magazine show.
Preparations for the series are already underway, with the pro dancers heading back into rehearsals last Monday.
This year’s line-up is tipped to include the likes of Corrie star Catherine Tyldesley, Capital DJ Vick Hope, Olympic diver Tom Daley, and Joe Sugg.
There’s no confirmed date for the series yet but the launch show – when the celebrities meet their pro partners for the first time – is likely to air in early September, with the main series beginning a few weeks later.
MORE: Graeme Swann ‘becomes fifth England cricket player to give Strictly Come Dancing a go’
MORE: Len Goodman is all about the equal pay for Shirley Ballas: ‘Same job, same money’
Image copyright Getty Images Image caption Tozer called her involvement a "dream come true" while John-Jules said he is relishing performing in "glittery spandex"
Steps member Faye Tozer and Red Dwarf star Danny John-Jules are the latest contestants to be announced for this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The pair join broadcaster Katie Piper as part of the confirmed line-up for the forthcoming 16th series.
Tozer described being on Strictly as "a dream come true" and promised to "relish every moment".
John-Jules said he was "absolutely delighted" at the prospect of performing in "glittery spandex".
The British actor is best-known for playing Cat in the cult-sci-fi comedy.
He said he has was looking forward to "getting into something more comfortable" after spending the last few months "on two wheels motorcycling around South America in pink leathers".
His other recognisable roles include the policeman Dwayne Myers in the long-running BBC crime drama Death In Paradise and Barrington in the BBC comedy Maid Marian And Her Merry Men.
Image copyright PA Image caption The band were known for their sunny demeanour and easily-replicable dance routines
Tozer, meanwhile, said her participation represents "everything my nine-year-old self ever wanted from showbiz".
The singer, actress and TV presenter rose to fame in 1997 as one of three female co-lead singers in British pop outfit Steps.
The group, completed by Lisa Scott-Lee, Ian "H" Watkins, Claire Richards and Lee Latchford-Evans, sold 20 million records worldwide throughout a five-year period.
This included three chart-topping albums in the UK as part of 14 consecutive UK top five singles - including two number ones.
Media playback is unsupported on your device Media caption Strictly Come Dancing contestant Katie Piper: "I don't have natural rhythm"
After Steps disbanded in 2001, Tozer began a theatrical career in 2004 with Andrew Lloyd Webber's Tell Me On A Sunday before rejoining Steps for their 2011 reunion.
Piper appeared on BBC Breakfast earlier on Monday, where it was confirmed she would be taking part in Strictly.
The 34-year old former model claimed she lacked "natural rhythm" and said it was "a bit daunting" to be taking part in the programme.
She also admitted that when she told her husband about it, "he just thought I was joking".
On Sunday, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman revealed each of this year's contestants had been given names of a type of cheese as a codename - to protect their identities in the run-up to the show.
In a video posted to Strictly's official Twitter account, the presenters went through a number of different cheeses, giving clues to the celebrities' identities.
Claudia and Tess return with Shirley Ballas heading up the panel of judges again.
Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood complete the line-up of experts.
It will be the first without dancer Brendan Cole, who confirmed he had been axed from the show earlier this year.
The new series will kick off with a launch show on BBC One in September, with the full series returning later on in the autumn.
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Katie Piper was the first celebrity confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2018 .
The TV star appeared on BBC Breakfast and revealed she had been struggling with keeping the secret from friends and family who were inviting her to events in October in November that she had to turn down because she'll be on the show.
She also said she has no rhythm to the point she can't even clap in time, so she should be fun to watch: "I don't have that natural rhythm but I like the fact there's a challenge," she said.
"I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can't wait to show my girls some of my new dance moves. I'm nervous to put on my dancing shoes but can't wait to learn a new skill and have the Strictly tan and makeover!"
Here's everything you need to know about Katie...
Who is Katie Piper and what did she do before the acid attack?
(Image: PA)
Katie was born in Andover, Hampshire in 1983 to David and Diane Piper and is one of three siblings. She trained as a beautician when she left school because of her love of fashion and beauty.
She then started modelling and did shoots for national newspapers and men's mag Maxim. She also took part in beauty pageants and was second runner up for the Miss Winchester title in 2006.
Katie went on to work as a promotional model and a ring girl at martial arts fights and did some presenting on digital channels.
What happened in the acid attack
(Image: Katie Piper)
(Image: rex)
Daniel Lynch was a martial arts fan and had been following Katie's modelling work. They started talking in February 2008 through Facebook and eventually met up and started seeing each other.
After around two weeks they went to a hotel together following a meal out. It was there that Daniel raped and beat Katie, then 24, and threatened to hang her during an horrific eight hour ordeal.
They drove back to Katie's flat in Golders Green and she was treated for her injuries at hospital but didn't tell nurses or police what happened because she was too scared of Lynch.
He called her after, apologising and two days later he convinced her to go to an Internet cafe near her flat to read an email. However Lynch, who had previously been jailed for throwing boiling water in a man's face, had given her description to Stefan Sylvestre.
(Image: PA WIRE)
(Image: PA)
He recognised her on Golders Green, where she was going to meet Lynch. Sylvestre approached Katie and threw sulphuric acid in her face.
The attack was caught on CCTV and the two men were later arrested. Lynch was given two life sentences and Sylvestre one life sentence, but he applied for parole in 2015, which was dismissed. He applied again in 2018 and a decision is yet to be reached.
Katie was treated in hospital for her horrific injuries, which left her blind in her left eye and severely burned. She had to wear a face mask for 23 hours a day after surgeons removed the skin on her face to prepare it for a graft.
So far, she has had 40 operations and continues to need treatment.
A year after the attack she launched the Katie Piper Foundation, which campaigns for more help for burns victims.
Who is Katie's husband and what are her babies' names?
(Image: katiepiper_/Instagram)
In 2013 Katie announced she was pregnant and gave birth to Belle Elizabeth the following year with carpenter and builder boyfriend Richard Sutton.
The couple got engaged the same year and were married in 2015. Two years later she gave birth to their second daughter, Penelope.
Katie has revealed that Belle has started to ask about her scars and how she got them, which Katie explained by saying she was burnt when she was younger. She has vowed to tell her girls the truth about what happened to her.
Katie's maternity line
(Image: Instagram)
After struggling to find maternity clothes that she liked in her first pregnancy, when she found out she was pregnant again, Katie decided to launch her own, affordable line.
"Throughout my first pregnancy I struggled to find any maternity clothes that I liked and couldn't believe how expensive maternity clothes were - especially as you are only able to wear them for a few months!" she said at the time.
Katie's Mother range is available through Wantthattrend.com and features dresses, T-shirts and jump suits in sizes 6-18.
From each sale, £1 will be donated to Katie foundation.
What else does Katie do?
(Image: Publicity Picture)
After her attack Katie wrote an autobiography and made documentary My Beautiful Face to raise awareness of burns victims. There have been several spin offs from it and it led to her presenting Channel 4's Bodyshockers and Never Seen a Doctor.
She starred in her own show Face to Face, which features other sufferers with skin conditions and is going to take to the stage with a tour What's in my Head where she'll talk about her journey.
