Who is Eddie Kadi? Meet the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 contestant and comedian
The BBC1 Xtra host has taken to the Strictly dance floor.
He grazed the top of the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard in week three.
But last week, Eddie Kadi and his professional dance partner Karen Hauer suffered a huge blow when they were plunged to the bottom of the leaderboard, coming second to last next to paralympian Jody Cundy.
Dancing the American Smooth to Sex Bomb by Tom Jones, Eddie finished on 24 points - ten less than he had scored with his fantastic Couple's Choice routine to Men in Black the week before.
Luckily for Eddie, the judges decided to save him in the dance off - and it was sadly Jody and his partner Jowita Przystal who exited the competition.
For his week 5 dance, Eddie will be performing the Samba to Calm Down by Rema ft Selena Gomez - and he will have to blow the judges away with his routine if he wants to stay in the competition.
Fans may recognise Eddie Kadi from various TV shows, but will most definitely recognise his voice if you're an avid radio listener.
Read on for everything you need to know about Eddie Kadi, and what he has said about appearing on the show.
Who is Eddie Kadi?
Age: 40
Job: Comedian, presenter and actor
Instagram: @comeddiekadi
Twitter: @EddieKadi
Strictly partner: Karen Hauer
A multi-award-winning stand-up comedian and radio presenter, Eddie Kadi was the first black British comedian to headline the O2 Arena in London.
Eddie has hosted the MOBO Awards, as well as the official red carpet show for BET International and BET Africa in Los Angeles and the main stage of the Afro Nation Festivals across the world.
He has also appeared on numerous TV shows including Blankety Blank, The National Comedy Awards, Tonight with Target, +44 Presents: The Noughties Podcast, Don’t Hate the Playaz, and Road to Afro Nation: David Live.
Eddie fronts The Official Afrobeats Chart Show on BBC Radio 1Xtra and is a Team Captain on ITV's entertainment format Sorry I Didn't Know; and this year, he has been nominated for both the Royal Television Society Best Breakthrough Award and Best Breakthrough Presenter at the Edinburgh TV Awards.
His own documentary with Channel 4 is also in production.
Eddie Kadi's Strictly journey so far
Scoreboard
Week One: Quickstep (4+6+6+6) = 22
Week Two: Cha Cha (3+6+5+7) = 21
Week Three: Couples Choice (8+8+10+8) = 34
Week Four: American Smooth (4+7+6+7) = 24
What has Eddie Kadi said about joining Strictly 2023?
In a statement following the announcement that he would be taking part on Strictly 2023, Eddie said: "WOW. Anyone who knows me understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am.
"I'm so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I've got. This is going to be a VIBE!"
In an exclusive chat with RadioTimes.com, Kadi explained that being on a show like Strictly is a "beautiful moment" for him. He explained: "I love African music and I want to express myself and convey that message of what my culture means to me.
"Being on British television is such a beautiful moment for me, and it means an awful amount because it shows that we, too, are able to contribute in this melting pot of the world. It's a beautiful thing."
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 air?
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 airs each weekend on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 14th October at 6:30pm. The results show will air on Sunday 15th October on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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