Radio and TV presenter Nikita Kanda has been announced as the ninth celebrity contestant confirmed for the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing.

The dance show will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this autumn, once again bringing glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the UK.

Nikita is best known for being the current host of BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast Show, having previously presented the Saturday afternoon show.

She has interviewed everyone from Killing Eve star Sandra Oh, and Bridgerton actresses Kate Sharma and Charithra Chandran, to Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings actress Awkwafina and pop star Nick Jonas.

Nikita has also led regular reports on BBC One’s The One Show on a range of topics from the rise of cashless businesses to government support for female sport.

She said: “I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly.

“This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself.

“I don’t think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor.

“I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!”

The news was revealed on Nikita’s own show.

Speaking to her listeners, Nikita Kanda said:

“I’m literally shaking, I can’t believe this.

“I’ve grown up watching this show every single year glued to the TV like many of you at home.

“This has been the biggest secret ever, it’s been so hard to keep this in and today I feel relieved, I’ve finally let this out and [I’m] sharing this moment with you.

“I just can’t wait for the glitz, the glamour, the hair, the make-up, the outfits, and even to meet those judges.”

“Who would have thought all those years of me raving it up on the dance floor, at those weddings and those nights out and parties, those moves are making it to the Strictly ballroom stage on BBC One.”

Nikita previously teased that she had a big announcement, writing on her Instagram Story:

“I have something I want to share with you all tomorrow morning on the breakfast show.

“Tune in from 8 am to find out what my announcement is.”

Nikita joins Channel 4 News anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy, who was confirmed as the fourth contestant.

He said: “I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘you only live once!’ and I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.

“I know I’m going to love it and have a brilliant time and just hope I’m not the only one enjoying my participation.”