Who is Dev Griffin? Strictly Come Dancing 2019 and BBC Radio 1 breakfast DJ
DJ Dev Griffin has officially confirmed that he’ll be a contestant in the forthcoming series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing.
Here’s all you need to know about the radio personality and his booming career.
What has Dev Griffin said about taking part in Strictly 2019?
While many of us have gotten used to hearing Dev on the radio, he’ll soon be showing off his dance moves on Strictly Come Dancing, having confirmed his involvement on August 6.
The 34-year-old 2017 Celebrity MasterChef finalist made the announcement on Radio 1, telling listeners that he hadn’t even told his family about the exciting news.
“My mum doesn’t even know! People don’t know this about me but I’m actually really good at dancing,” he gushed.
Fans are keen to see who will be his partner in the forthcoming series, especially if he’s already boasting about his dancing skills.
He is the thirteenth celebrity to be confirmed in the official line-up.
The Sun exclusively revealed how show bosses had struggled to land star names for the new series, but hope that Dev will pull in a younger audience.
A source said: “It’s a bit of an eyebrow-raiser.
“But BBC bosses like going for a youthful radio audience, like they did with Vick Hope.
“No one had really heard of her before Strictly last year and they seemed to warm to her.
“They’re hoping Dev’s personality will make him a household name.”
Who is Dev Griffin?
Devin Griffin was born in Hackney, North London in December 1984 to an Irish mother and a Jamaican father.
He attended Ravenscroft School in Barnet and also went to the Anna Scher Theatre Club, where he became good pals with Reggie Yates.
While studying for his A-Levels, Dev began co-presenting interactive TV show Smile along with Reggie and Fearne Cotton.
Shortly afterward, Dev and Reggie were approached by BBC Radio 1Xtra to present the Reg and Dev Show on Saturday afternoons.
In 2017, Dev became a finalist on Celebrity Masterchef 2017, which only boosted his popularity and exposure.
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What radio shows has Dev Griffin presented?
Dev stayed with Radio 1 Xtra from its launch in 2002 until 2009, co-hosting alongside Reggie and also presenting alone on a Sunday morning.
The 34-year-old then made the switch to Radio 1 to host the early weekend breakfast show and he later replaced Greg James on early breakfast during the week.
Since 2014, he has been the presenter of the weekend breakfast show from 6 to 10am and has also filled in for Nick Grimshaw and Scott Mills.