They have announced him based on this:

Ed Balls Day

Balls, alerted by an assistant to an article about him and urged to search Twitter for it, accidentally entered his intended search term in the wrong box and ended up sending a tweet saying "Ed Balls" on 28 April 2011.[51] The unusual tweet was spotted and retweeted by thousands (Balls was unaware that it was possible to delete a tweet). The incident is now celebrated as "Ed Balls Day" on its anniversary each 28 April, with followers retweeting his original message and commemorating the occasion in other ways.[52][53] When invited to send something to be auctioned to raise funds for the party in 2015, Balls submitted a framed, signed printout of the tweet. To celebrate "Ed Balls Day" in 2016, Balls baked a cake featuring the tweet.

Ha ha I also love the way Strictly have announced Ed on Twitter

So excited the announcements have started.

Oh, balls...

Thanks, I was unaware of the significance!

I reckon Oti will get Ed...

I am just so fed up of politics and politicians after "You know what" and now it's stinking up the ballroom with "You know what" jokes. I watch Strictly to get away from it all not to have it in my face on a cold Saturday night in October. Suppose it's more highbrow than a the TOWIE folk although politics is now a reality tv show nowerdays. I don't know but the politics angle is jarring to me. Sorry I can not share in some of your excitement.

Say what you mean thengp12!

What name announcement WOULD lift your spirits at this stage?

A total ringer so I can actually enjoy the aspect of the show I watch it for The Dancing

But eliminates the "competitive" side of it? Ok whatever....

Suggestions:
Ben Shepherd?
Jonny Labey?

Please don't turn this into another speculation thread. This is for confirmed names. I think Ed Balls is a great signing. He was pretty funny on the bake off.

When do we think the next name will be announced

Hopefully tomorrow

A great way to announce it.

I'm really pleased to see him in the line up - I'd been hoping he'd do another reality type thing that I'd want to watch (i.e. not BB which jumped the shark long ago), so him being on Strictly is great news!

Oh dear!

I can not WAIT for this.

Good grief. Ed Balls first announced participant in SCD this autumn. I struggle to even imagine it.

Covered in all the other threads.

Yes I just found it. Slightly disguised under a general thread title. Not sure how to delete a thread. Consulting Mods.

You could always ask for it to be moved to the Appreciation Attic

Ed Balls

I reckon Karen is more likely atm, but will see after the full line up comes out

Couldn't agree more! Hopefully they've gotten the least exciting announcement (at least from my point of view) out of the way first.

he's 5ft11 so maybe Natalie?

he will be the hopless stompy John Sergent this year