A famous face who supported a Swindon community project has joined this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles supported the Hayfield Homes development in Blunsdon which gifted part of its 70-home Sams Lane site to the Blunsdon Community Shop and Cafe in recognition of the not-for-profit project's 20th anniversary.

The team of volunteers moved into the not-for-profit shop's new home in March 2023, with Nick himself popping over to meet everyone and cut the ribbon.

He said at the time: "It’s a great achievement and a great boon to the community. Hayfield have done a great job on the development and it looks like a really great place.

“Most important was the engagement with the community and being part of the community, rather than just building in it, which has resulted in this amazing building.

“This place will be what you make of it and there is a great community opportunity here.”

Now, the 61-year-old will be putting his dancing shoes on to take part in Strictly Come Dancing along with Morning Live doctor Punam Krishan, Gladiator and Olympian Montell Douglas, EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick, Olympian Tom Dean, singer Shayne Ward and Miranda actress Sarah Hadland.

He said: “I’m so, so excited to be doing Strictly this year. People may be more used to me getting stuck in on a building site or travelling the world, but dancing live on TV will be a whole new adventure.

“I’ve spent my whole life learning new skills and I’ve never been afraid of a challenge – there’s life in the old dog yet to take on one more big one – being taught how to dance! I’ll give it my everything … and try not to embarrass my kids of course.”

Nick Knowles has had a long career at the BBC and is known for long-running renovation programme DIY SOS and former gameshows Who Dares Wins, which ended in 2019, Break The Safe and 5-Star Family Reunion.

He has also took part in ITV’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2018, and hosted travel programmes including the The Mighty Mississippi With Nick Knowles on Channel 5.

Outside presenting, he co-wrote 2016 action comedy Golden Years and released his debut album Every Kind Of People – comprising covers of some of his favourite songs – in 2017.