EXCLUSIVE Les Dennis is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing: Family Fortunes star, 70, is expected to be one of this year’s favourites – with BBC bosses ‘thrilled’ he’s agreed to join the line-up

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have finally signed up TV entertainer Les Dennis to join this year’s line-up, The Mail on Sunday can reveal.

The former Family Fortunes host was first asked to take part in the BBC hit when he starred in Coronation Street between 2014 and 2016, but was forced to turn it down because of his role on the soap.

Dennis, who will turn 70 in October, is likely to be one of the favourites among viewers. Bosses are said to be thrilled that he has agreed to appear.

He will be joined by Strictly’s oldest contestant Angela Rippon, 78, who hosted the show’s predecessor Come Dancing, as well as the likes of presenter Angela Scanlon, 39, and Casualty’s Nigel Harman, 49.

One insider said: ‘The viewers are going to love Les. He is a TV icon and now he will be dancing on one of the most popular shows around. He might be about to turn 70 but he is a showman and he will be great entertainment for those watching at home. There is genuine excitement about Les taking part.’

Dennis is no stranger to song and dance, and is currently starring in a touring production of West End musical 42nd Street

Dennis, who will turn 70 in October, is likely to be one of the favourites among viewers. Bosses are said to be thrilled that he has agreed to appear

Dennis is no stranger to song and dance, and is currently starring in a touring production of West End musical 42nd Street.

The three-times-married star garnered public sympathy when his marriage to Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden broke down after she cheated on him with Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey. During the split in 2002, Dennis appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, but experienced what he later described as ‘an emotional crisis on live television’.

He spent much of his time on the show talking to chickens that were kept on set and staring into space. He admitted that this had resulted in job offers drying up.

In 2005, however, the Scouse performer met life coach Claire Nicholson, who is 18 years his junior, when she asked him for a dance at a memorial ball. The pair married four years later and are parents to a daughter, Eleanor Grace, 15, and a son, Thomas Christopher, 12.

Ms Holden went on to marry record producer Chris Hughes in 2008.

While on Strictly Come Dancing, Dennis will also find himself competing against documentary-maker Zara McDermott, 26, who is the first former Love Island contestant to appear on the show.

Strictly bosses have lifted their ban on Love Island stars in the hope that Ms McDermott, who appeared on the ITV dating show in 2018, might attract younger viewers to the popular dance programme.