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

She is 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 Glitterball trophy in December.

The 33-year-old Viscountess joins other hopefuls, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, former Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley, EastEnders' Emma Barton, Chris Ramsey, YouTuber Saffron Barker, footballer David James and BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell.

The announcement was made on the Gaby Roslin show on BBC Radio London earlier today (Sunday, August 4).

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.

Of signing to Strictly, 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!'

Following her marriage in 2013 to Ceawlin Thynn, Viscount Weymouth, she became the chatelaine of the Longleat Estate near Warminster.

She 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.

The Viscountess 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.

She married Caewlin Thynn, Viscount Weymouth, in June 2013, becoming 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 Thyn in Decmber 2016.

In 2015, the Viscountess launched an online cooking show, Emma's Kitchen at Longleat, to share her love of food and cooking using the backdrop of the original kitchens within Longleat House.

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. 

More big-name celebrities are still to be confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing in the next few days.