LONGLEAT’S Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth is to take part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing competition.

She was the eighth celebrity to be announced for the 2019 line up for the popular BBC programme, the winner of which will be presented with the coveted Glitterball Trophy in December.

The 33-year-old Viscountess joins 13 other hopefuls who have been announced so far: CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, EastEnders’ Emma Barton, comedian Chris Ramsey, YouTuber Saffron Barker, footballer David James, BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell, BBC soccer pundit Alex Scott, Jamie Laing from Made in Chelsea, RuPaul’s drag race judge Michelle Visage, and gold-medal winning table tennis Paralympian Will Bayley, Olympic rower James Cracknell and BBC Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin.

The announcement about her joining the Strictly celebrity line-up was made on the Gaby Roslin show on BBC Radio London on Sunday (August 4).

Her involvement in the show will give Wiltshire residents a local favourite to vote for following the success of YouTuber Joe Suggs, from Lacock, in last year’s programme.

The Viscountess said: “I am so excited. I wasn’t allowed to tell anyone. I had to tell my husband and I told him to please keep it a secret and that was it. We love the show, so it’s just the most amazing news. I don’t know what to expect.”

Emma is a businesswoman, chef, model and philanthropist. She said: ‘I absolutely love watching Strictly every weekend and I can’t believe that I’m getting the chance to be on this series.

‘I know it will be such an amazing experience from start to finish. I can’t wait for the dancing and the fabulous outfits!’

The Viscountess was born in London to a British mother, socialite Suzanna McQuiston, and a Nigerian father, Oladipo Jadesimi who is a businessman and the founder of the offshore oil company Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics.

She was raised in South Kensington where she was head girl at Queen’s Gate School. She studied History of Art at University College London and then classical acting at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Emma married Caewlin Thynn, Viscount Weymouth, in June 2013, to become the first black marchioness in British history.

In October 2014, the couple welcomed their first child – John Alexander Ladi Thynn, followed by Henry Richard Isaac Thynn in December 2016.

In 2015, the Viscountess launched an online cooking show, Emma’s Kitchen, using the Longleat kitchens as a backdrop, to share her love of food and cooking.

In addition, she is a contributing editor for British Vogue, and makes regular appearances as a guest chef on BBC TV’s Saturday Kitchen show.

She has been a prominent figure in fashion, working as a brand ambassador for Fiorucci, as well as walking in runway shows at Harrods.

In the area of animal conservation, the Viscountess is particularly involved in Longleat’s project to help save the Northern White Rhino and its work with the charity TUSK.

Three more big-name celebrities are still to be confirmed.