Les Dennis shimmies into Strictly Come Dancing at 70

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have secured the talented TV entertainer, Les Dennis, to grace this year's dazzling line-up.

The former host of Family Fortunes was initially approached to participate in the BBC hit during his stint on Coronation Street from 2014 to 2016. However, he had to decline the offer due to his commitments on the soap.

As Les Dennis gears up to celebrate his 70th birthday in October, viewers can expect a thrilling performance from the beloved entertainer. 

BBC bosses are reportedly overjoyed that he has agreed to showcase his dancing skills on the prestigious show. Alongside him, Strictly's oldest contestant, Angela Rippon, 78, who once hosted the show's precursor, Come Dancing, will also grace the dance floor. 

In 2002 Les faced a highly publicized split with Britain's Got Talent judge Amanda Holden, after she cheated on him with actor Neil Morrissey from Men Behaving Badly. 

The public rallied behind him during this challenging period, as he appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, experiencing what he later described as "an emotional crisis on live television." 

In 2005, he crossed paths with life coach Claire Nicholson, 18 years his junior, at a memorial ball. 

Their encounter led to love, and they tied the knot four years later. They are parents to two children - daughter Eleanor Grace, 15, and son Thomas Christopher, 12.

While on the dancing stage of Strictly Come Dancing, Les Dennis will encounter documentary-maker Zara McDermott is making history as the first former Love Island contestant to grace the show. 

To attract younger audience, the show's bosses have lifted the ban on Love Island stars, and Zara's appearance brings an exciting new dimension to the popular dance programme.