Paul Merson, Sam Quek confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2024

Sports presenters Paul Merson and Sam Quek will take part in the 2024 edition of Strictly Come Dancing.

Merson, who works at Sky Sports as a football pundit, made his debut playing for Arsenal Football Club when he was 17 years old and went on to win the PFA Young Player of the Year. 

He played for the club for over a decade, playing 424 times, scoring 99 goals, and winning all domestic trophies as well as the European Cup Winners’ Cup. 

Paul played 21 times for England, scoring three times, and went on to play for Middlesbrough, Aston Villa, and Portsmouth, becoming player manager at Walsall Football Club.

Quek is an Olympic and European gold medallist, a former England and Team GB hockey player, and now a TV and radio presenter.

She won 125 international caps for the England and Great Britain women’s hockey teams, including a gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Quek is now a broadcaster, has presented on BBC Morning Live, and was a team captain on Question of Sport.

She has hosted a range of sports, including football, American football, rugby, and cricket. 

Merson said: “Joining Strictly is a whole new ball game for me, but I’m going to tackle this challenge head-on. 

“I’m ready to swap the pitch for the ballroom floor, so here’s hoping my two left feet can learn some moves, and you never know, maybe I’ll be taking home the Glitterball Trophy!”

Quek added: “As a former hockey player, I’m used to playing as part of a team, but the thought of dancing on the ballroom floor in front of a live audience is quite daunting! 

“I’m chuffed to be a part of this legendary show and Quickstep into the shoes of a performer; it feels absolutely surreal, but I’m ready for every bit of the adventure.”

The pair will join Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Wynne Evans, Toyah Willcox, Dr. Punam Krishan, Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Shayne Ward, Sarah Hadland, Jamie Borthwick, Tom Dean, MBE, Montell Douglas, and Nick Knowles.

The show will be shown on BBC One and BBC iPlayer in the autumn.