Strictly Come Dancing: Paralympian Will Bayley Hoping To 'Inspire People With Disabilities' As He Joins Line-Up

The table tennis player is one of the stars of London 2012 and Rio 2016 games.
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Paralympian Will Bayley has joined this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The World Table Tennis champion confirmed he would be competing on the BBC ballroom series during an interview on TalkRadio on Monday.

Will, who has lived with arthrogryposis – a rare condition which affects all four of his limbs – since birth, said he hoped his participation would inspire others with disabilities.

London 2012 ✅ Rio 2016 ✅
Strictly 2019 ✅ Will Bayley MBE @WillBayleytt, Gold-Medal winning Paralympian joins our line-up 🥇https://t.co/vNRTXnXAqx pic.twitter.com/97LErakrO6

— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 5, 2019

“I’m so proud to be on the show, it’s my family’s favourite show. I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well,” he said.

“I want to inspire people with a disability – that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this.”

Will was one of the stars of London 2012 and Rio 2016 games, winning consecutive silver and gold medals

In January 2017, he was awarded an MBE for services for Table Tennis and is currently training to defend his Paralympic title at the Tokyo 2020 games.

He also recently won Gold at the Japan Open 2019.

Michelle Visage has also been confirmed for Strictly
Michelle Visage has also been confirmed for Strictly
ITV

Also on the line-up are BBC Breakfast star Mike Bushell, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual and chef Viscountess Emma Weymouth.

There are many other names still rumoured to be on the line-up, including Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing, broadcaster Anneka Rice and Atomic Kitten singer Natasha Hamilton.

Other names for the series will be announced in the coming days.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in the autumn.

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