McDermott shot to fame on Love Island, but will the judges fall in love with her moves on the dance floor?
Love Island star and documentarian Zara McDermott will be stepping out of her comfort zone and onto the dance floor in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The news that McDermott was joining the line-up was first revealed on Monday 7th August on BBC Radio 1’s Going Home with Vick and Jordan.
McDermott will be hoping to impress returning judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke when she arrives in the ballroom with her partner – one of the 2023 Strictly pro dancers.
Read on for everything you need to know about Zara McDermott.
Who is Zara McDermott?
Age: 26
Job: Reality star and documentary maker
Instagram: @zara_mcdermott
Twitter: N/A
Zara McDermott was previously a government policy advisor working for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department of Education before she shot to fame on Love Island in 2018.
Since appearing on the reality show, she has gone on to feature on reality shows including The X Factor: Celebrity and Made in Chelsea, and to present BBC Three’s Love in the Flesh, while she has also become a documentarian working with the BBC.
Her documentaries so far include Revenge Porn, Uncovering Rape Culture, Disordered Eating and Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge.
Alongside this, McDermott has also worked with the government and the Home Office on campaigns to end violence against women and girls, most notably fronting a campaign that changed the law for victims of digital abuse, and she is an ambassador for the Shaping Us campaign for the Centre of Early Childhood.
What has Zara McDermott said about joining Strictly 2023?
McDermott said in a statement: “I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.
“I even remember the first ever series, and being mesmerised by all the beautiful dresses! I can’t wait to throw myself into this experience and start training. It’s going to be incredible.”
We’ve got a text! @bbcthree documentary maker and former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott is joining the cast of #Strictly 2023
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 7, 2023
👉 https://t.co/Tc4IgUx9I3 pic.twitter.com/QsryZdYpZ5
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 start?
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 will air on BBC One and iPlayer on Saturday 16th September sat 6:35pm.
Strictly Come Dancing starts at 6:35pm on 16th September on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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