Countdown's Rachel joins Strictly

Countdown star Rachel Riley is swapping letters and numbers for waltzes and rumbas after signing up for Strictly Come Dancing.

The presenter, who recently racked up a milestone 1,000 appearances on the Channel 4 show, will join other celebrities including broadcaster Vanessa Feltz and golfer Tony Jacklin in the BBC ballroom show.

The maths whizz, who studied at Oxford, married Jamie Gilbert last year with guests including Countdown host Nick Hewer.

Other names rumoured to be in talks to battle it out for Strictly’s glitterball trophy include rugby player Ben Cohen, designer Julien Macdonald, singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, model Abbey Clancy and Hairy Bikers cook Dave Myers.

Countdown's Rachel joins Strictly