Labour MP Diane Abbott reveals why she turned down Strictly Come Dancing

Hackney MP was approached to appear on the hit series before the spot was given to Jacqui Smith

Diane Abbott has revealed why she turned down a spot on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

The news comes after fellow Labour MP Jacqui Smith was announced as the 12th and final contest on the BBC1 series this past weekend.

Speaking on Sky News  on Sunday (6 September), Abbott told host Sophy Ridge: “I have [been asked] and I turned them down. I couldn’t possibly do it.”

The former shadow home secretary added: “I think Jacqui’s very brave.”

When asked why she would never join the dance competition series, Abbott joked: “You’ll be surprised to know, I’m not someone with natural rhythm, and I didn’t want it exposed to millions of television viewers."

Former home secretary Smith will join comedian Bill Bailey, Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and Made in Chelsea’s Jamie Laing on Strictly Come Dancing 2020.

Smith will be the second Labour MP to take part in the popular series, following in the steps of former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls.

Strictly Come Dancing has faced filming setbacks amid the pandemic. The series is due to air on BBC One from  24 October with a reduced run of nine weeks instead of the usual 13.

See the full lineup here.