Laura Whitmore quicksteps her way on to Strictly Come Dancing
The Irish presenter is the third contestant to be unveiled for the upcoming series
Laura Whitmore is going to "embrace the sequins" as she takes part in Strictly Come Dancing.
The Irish presenter was unveiled as the third celebrity to be hitting the dance floor on the BBC 1 show later this year, after former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls and singer Will Young were announced earlier this week.
Speaking on the BBC Radio 1 Breakfast Show with Nick Grimshaw, the 31-year-old revealed how taking part in the show is a dream come true.
She said: "I've always known I’ve wanted to do it, even as a kid.
"I have watched Strictly and been obsessed with the show since series 1.
"It's an incredible show and I feel so honoured to be asked to part of it.'
"My mam used to say 'One day you'll do Strictly' so she's thrilled.
"I was waiting for the right time, they asked me before and I was afraid they weren’t going to ask me again but thankfully they did."
But when it comes to the infamously revealing and heavily embellished costumes, the former I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here...Now! host admitted they will take a bit of getting used to.
She said: "We have already had the fittings, trying on loads of the clothes, they are unbelievable.
"I’m not a huge sequin person but there is a lot of sequins going on, I’m going to embrace the sequins.
"I was a bit nervous about it but as soon as you put it on you automatically become someone else."
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Laura is the first female celebrity to be confirmed for the show, which was won by The Wanted's Jay McGuiness last year.
The beauty insists she has had no formal dance training in the past, having only done a little Irish dancing as a child.
She added: "I Irish danced for a summer when I was a kid.
"Now I have to use my hands as well apparently.
"I'm going to train as much as possible, I love it. I really hope I’m good."
After the news of his participation broke, former Pop Idol winner Will said: “As a fan of Strictly for years, I have always imagined myself on the show, but the timing has not been right… until now!
“Music is my passion and the dancing I have done has always been with a microphone in hand.
“Now there will be no microphone or band, just me, my partner and the dance floor."
Meanwhile Ed, 49, admitted he was "scared to death" about donning sequins and Lycra and showing off his moves in pursuit of the glitterball trophy.
He said: "I’d like to say I’m just really excited about learning to dance on TV, but the truth is I’m also scared to death.
“Making a speech in Parliament seems a piece of cake compared to this, but hopefully I can stick around for a couple of weeks, and have a lot of fun in the process.
Ed will be the first male politician to take part on the main show, following Liberal Democrat's Vince Cable's appearance on the 2010 Christmas special.
Other stars rumoured to be part of this year’s line-up include former Coronation Street actor Ryan Thomas and Birds of a Feather actress Lesley Joseph.