Pop legend Anastacia is the latest name confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Anastacia is the latest celebrity to join this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The ‘Left Outside Alone’ singer was announced by Chris Evans on his BBC Radio 2 show today (August 19) – and she’s as ecstatic.

“I’m a total ’10’ on the level of excitement and definitely a ’10’ scared!” she told listeners.

Pop legend Anastacia is the latest name confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing

“Seriously though, I can’t wait to get started. Taking part in Strictly is a dream, it’s such a new challenge for me – I’ve never done anything like this before, so I hope I pull it off!” she added.

“I’ve got a lot of training to do before I’m twinkle toes so I’m eager to get my partner and get going. I’m ready!”

Anastacia joins Ed Balls, Will Young, Laura Whitmore, Ore Oduba, Melvin Odoom, Louise Redknapp, Danny Mac, Daisy Lowe and Naga Munchetty – who have already been announced as contestants for the new series of Strictly.

Fans had speculated whether gay singer Young could be paired with a same-sex dancing partner, after Judge Craig Revel Horwood had hinted that changes will take place.

But the BBC confirmed last week that Young would be paired with a female professional dance partner.

A statement said: “The show has chosen the traditional Latin and Ballroom format of mixed-sex couples.”

Revel Horwood last year conceded: “I was rather hoping for a same sex couple – I doubt that it’ll happen this year.

“But I’d love it to happen because that might put a spanner in the works.”

Former Strictly star James Jordan claimed that it would be “wrong” to feature same-sex dance couples on the show.

He insisted: “It’s wrong. I think they would lose so many viewers.

“I have nothing against same-sex couples, if they want to go and do their own competitions.

“But ballroom and Latin dancing is about a man dancing with a woman – that’s fact.

“It annoys me that people like Craig can say this because he’s gay. That’s the only reason he’s pushing it.”