ANNEKA Rice is known and loved by many thanks to her presenting role on Treasure Hunt but now she's going to be leaping around the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor.
As she prepares to switch the boiler suit for ball gowns, here's everything you need to know about the TV presenter who has been a household name since the 80's…
What has Anneka Rice said about Strictly?
The Challenge Anneka star, 60, was announced on Steve Wright In The Afternoon on BBC Radio 2.
Speaking about being the last to be announced, Anneka Rice said: "Oh the stress of being the last person. Even though it's been in the papers for weeks, because I haven't told anyone, not even my family."
In her official statement for the show, she admitted : “I haven’t danced since I was 7 and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated.
“My family and friends haven’t seen me dance since, not at a wedding or round a handbag so it’s going to be a challenge for my partner. In fact I’ve asked for two, one on each side. I can’t see myself in a long frilly dress either.”
She added: “But I’m feeling recklessly excited. Strictly has always been my Autumn’s entertainment and now I’m part of it! My children will probably leave the country.”
How much is Alex Scott getting paid for Strictly?
Anneka's appearance on the show will definitely increase her bank balance as she gets the standard £25,000 payment for signing up.
If she manages to stay on the dance floor until the end of October this then rises to £40,000.
Any star that makes it to the quarter-finals sees their fee jump to £60,000 – and if she wins she will pocket a whopping £100,000.
What is Anneka Rice's background?
Anneka Rice, 60, is a Welsh television and radio presenter.
In 1982 she landed her first major TV job as the jump-suited presenter of Channel 4's Treasure Hunt.
The show proved one of Channel 4's most popular programmes and saw Anneka as the skyrunner looking for clues, which were being solved by two contestants in the studio.
In 1986 she won Rear of the Year – this was due to the camera constantly being focused on her bottom as she was filmed running around trying to locate the treasure.
What other TV shows has Anneka Rice been in?
After the success of her energetic show Treasure Hunt, she was given another similar series.
Anneka came up with the show Challenge Anneka in which she had to solve tasks within a certain time.
This ran from 1989 to 1995 on the BBC.
She has also appeared on Celebrity Mastermind, Hell's Kitchen and Come Dine With me and Celebrity Hunted.
Who is Anneka Rice's partner Simon Bell?
Anneka has been in a relationship with writer Simon Bell, 58, since 2005.
He is a close friend of screenwriter Richard Curtis with whom he wrote the comedy book Who's Had Who.
Simon also wrote the 1991 novel Blood Money and has contributed to Sunday newspapers.
Has Anneka Rice ever been married?
Anneka was previously married to theatre boss Nick Allott.
The couple have two sons, Thomas 24, and Joshua, 22.
They split in 1992 after she had an affair with TV executive Tom Gutteridge.
Anneka had a third son with Tom but they split six months after he was born in 1997.
When is Strictly back on TV?
Strictly Come Dancing is returning for its 17th series on BBC One in 2019.
It kicks off with the red carpet launch on Monday, August 26, 2019.
The series premiere will follow shortly after, but a date is yet to be confirmed.
The main show will air live on Saturday evenings with the results the following day on Sundays.
In July 2019 it was revealed Motsi Mabuse will be joining the judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel-Horwood.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly return as the presenting duo, with Rylan Clark-Neal confirmed as host of Strictly: It Takes Two alongside Zoe Ball.
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