'Strictly Come Dancing' signs BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell

Strictly Come Dancing’s dark horse this year looks set to be BBC Breakfast presenter Mike Bushell.

The 53-year-old sports presenter is famous for making gaffes on live TV, such as falling into a pool while interviewing England’s Commonwealth Games swimmers, ripping his trousers and spilling water down himself.

Bushell has signed up to take part in the BBC dance competition this year and according to The Sun newspaper, producers hope he may follow in the footsteps of his fellow sports presenter Chris Hollins, who won the show in 2009.

Read more: 'Strictly Come Dancing' announces Motsi Mabuse as new judge

A source told the newspaper: “Producers are keen to tap into the laughs that Mike can bring to the show, and the fact that he’s now one of the most familiar faces on BBC Breakfast.

“They’re also conscious of the fact he could be the dark horse of the competition. Not only have his predecessors triumphed on Strictly, but he keeps himself physically fit.”

When the father-of-three was a teenager, he ran six marathons in six days and as a reporter he has tried 250 different sports. Earlier this year he also took part in Sport Relief show And They’re Off.

Bushell will join a line-up that includes 60-year-old TV presenter Anneka Rice, Made In Chelsea reality star Jamie Laing, 27, Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin, 34, champion rower James Cracknell, 47, and ex-Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley, 35.

Radio DJ and former Top Gear presenter Chris Evans had been tipped to compete in the show this year, revealing on The One Show last December “I have said ‘Yes.’

“Everyone puts it off and tries to keep it a secret. No, announce now. We’re doing it now.”

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But Evans, 53, who previously admitted he was suffering from a knee injury, pulled out at the last minute.

More celebrity contestants are due to be revealed, but Motsi Mabuse has been officially announced as the new judge, replacing Dame Darcey Bussell after she stepped down from the panel.

The big sister of professional dancer Oti Mabuse is already a judge on the German version of the show Let’s Dance.