Here’s the first celebrity to take part in Irish Strictly Come Dancing

Hugie Maughan is reportedly the first celebrity to don some dancing shoes as part of RTÉ’s new Strictly Come Dancing show.

According to The Irish Sun, the Big Brother runner-up has been confirmed as one of the 11 contestants after battling it out with other well-known Irish faces.

"Doing Big Brother in the UK allowed Hughie to break down prejudice against Travellers and gay people in Britain. Appearing on Dancing With The Stars on RTÉ will help him do the same in Ireland. But Hughie wants to win,” a programme source told the Irish news site.

As the BBC own the Strictly format, they have final say on all dancers selected.

Hughie’s fiance and fellow Big Brother star, Ryan Ruckledge hinted at the Dublin native had something excited coming up in the future with this tweet last month.

So proud of my @hughie_maughan and what he has lined up for the future, couldn't be anymore prouder if I tried, love you so much ♥️♥️

— Ryan Ruckledge (@ryruckledge) October 19, 2016

The couple meet on the show and are reportedly tying the knot next year.

It was also revealed that Nicky Byrne is the hot favourite to host the show.

The programme begins on January 8 on RTÉ One.