Final Three Contestants for Strictly Come Dancing Announced

In an exciting announcement on BBC's The One Show, Nick Knowles, Paul Merson, and Sam Quek have been revealed as the final three contestants for this year's Strictly Come Dancing. Knowles, a well-known TV presenter, Merson, a former England footballer, and Quek, an Olympic gold medallist, will join a diverse cast of participants when the show kicks off next month. Merson, who has openly discussed his battles with addiction and mental health, expressed hope that he could overcome his self-proclaimed "two left feet" to compete for the coveted glitterball trophy. Sam Quek, who achieved Olympic success with the Team GB women's hockey team in 2016, shared her excitement about the competition, describing the experience as "surreal" and expressing readiness for the adventure ahead. The lineup also includes notable figures such as Morning Live doctor Punam Krishan, Olympian Montell Douglas, and EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, among others. However, the show has faced controversy following allegations made by former contestant Amanda Abbington against dancer Giovanni Pernice, claiming he exhibited "threatening and abusive" behavior. Abbington left the series last year for personal reasons, and the BBC has launched an investigation into the matter, with results yet to be disclosed. Additionally, Love Island star Zara McDermott accused dancer Graziano Di Prima of kicking her, while Laura Whitmore recounted experiencing "inappropriate behavior" during her time on the show in 2016, when she was partnered with Pernice.