By Meghna Amin
Copyright glasgowlive
TV star Ross King is preparing to take to the dancefloor as he joins Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
The Lorraine guest was one of the final names to be confirmed, and is set to hit screens with 14 other celebrities and the professional dancers when the beloved BBC competition returns on Saturday.
He joins Gladiators legend Harry Aikines-Aryeetey (known to fans as Nitro), Hollywood star Alex Kingston, Love Island winner Dani Dyer, footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, and Youtube star George Clarke.
RuPaul’s Drag Race UK performer La Voix, rugby union player Chris Robshaw and model Ellie Goldstein have also joined the line-up, as well as controversial Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, presenter Vicky Pattison, and Neighbours’ Stefan Dennis.
Former footballer Karen Carney and Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope were the final stars announced, with the latter replacing Game of Thrones’ Kristian Nairn who had to withdraw for medical reasons.
In the announcement, Ross revealed his excitement, saying: “From the bright lights of Hollywood to the glittering ballroom – it’s a dream come true to be part of such an iconic show.
“I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!
“Let’s give this the best that I can! As my mum always said: ‘You’ll never know till you give it a go!’”
Here’s everything you need to know about Ross as he prepares to take to the Strictly dancefloor.
How old is Ross King?
The presenter, who hails from Scotland, is 63 years old.
In a recent interview with BBC Scotland, he admitted he stills considers Glasgow “home” and wants to incorporate Scottish dances into some of his routines.
“I genuinely want a bit of The Slosh put in for Scotland,” he said. “And some form of a ceilidh which apparently they’ve never done.
“I’ve always been very patriotic and I love Scotland. To represent my country is just a thrilling thing.”
Where have you seen Ross King before?
Ross is best known as the Los Angeles Correspondent on ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, having previously held the same role on GMTV and Daybreak.
He is a four-time News Emmy winner and has hosted more than 30 television series since making his first radio broadcast at the age of 15 and TV debut at 17.
Ross has been a World Judge on CBS’ The World’s Best, and hosted the likes of The Hollywood Christmas Parade and The Critics Choice Movie Awards Red Carpet.
He was also the Entertainment Anchor on Los Angeles’ KTLA for six years.
As well as presenting work, Ross has written three novels and for TV comedy shows, stage plays and films.
He was awarded an MBE in 2018 for services to broadcasting, the arts and charity.
Inside Ross King’s past romances and private life
Ross tends to keep his private life away from the spotlight, having been married twice.
He wed his second wife Brianna Deutsch in 2015 in a ceremony where guests reportedly included Gerard Butler, Patsy Palmer, Vinnie Jones and Gary Barlow.
However, in 2022, a source claimed they’d split, saying: “The pair have remained amicable and still run in the same circles, they just realised they weren’t on the same page romantically any more.
“Ross loves living in Hollywood and has been throwing himself into work and writing novels.”
Discussing his marriage previously, Ross had said: “She’s beautiful and I know I’m punching well, well above my weight.
“The age difference has never been an issue. I want to have kids too. I’m not worried about being an older dad. I’m a big family man.
“I still get homesick for my mum and sister in Scotland and come back as often as possible.
“But I get up every day and from my house in the hills I look out across the Hollywood sign. It always makes me smile.
“I’m a kid from Knightswood in Glasgow. It still feels like a fairy tale.”
Strictly Come Dancing launches on Saturday at 6.40pm on BBC One and iPlayer
