Radio 1 DJ Scott Mills is doing Strictly

Aug 26 2014
Written by Gabby Jeffries

Scott Mills will be joining Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC Radio 1 DJ has confirmed.

The gay broadcaster is the latest celebrity to sign up for this year’s series of the show.

Mills joins other names including Bafta-winning naturalist Steve Backshall and EastEnders actor Jake Wood.

The rest of the line-up includes: Mark Wright from The Only Way Is Essex, singers Simon Webbe and Frankie Bridge, former rugby player Thom Evans, presenter Alison Hammond, Andy Murray’s mum Judy Murray and actress Sunetra Sarker.

Robin Windsor, who was the only openly gay professional dancer on the show, was recently forced to pull out over a back injury.

Mills, who is standing in for Nick Grimshaw on the Radio 1 Breakfast Show, said: “My listeners are so used to me playing pranks that they’re probably going to think this is just another one. It’s not, I really am doing this.

“I’m honoured be part of the biggest show on television and hoping this could be the start of a brand new skill for me.

“When I was younger, my Nan danced the foxtrot and waltz and it would be great for me to learn those dances, but I will be out of my comfort zone.

“Whatever happens, I’m really looking forward to the weekly fake tans.”
In 2011, Mills went to Uganda and filmed the BBC Three documentary ‘The World’s Worst Place to be Gay.’

The programme showed Mills interviewing David Bahati, the Ugandan MP responsible for the Anti-Homosexuality law.

When the presenter said he was gay, Bahati became enraged and the film crew fled.

Afterwards, in an interview with PinkNews.co.uk, Mills spoke of how he feared for his own safety during the assignment.