Ross King makes Strictly Come Dancing debut as girlfriend Bridget cheers from the audience

Ross King, the 63-year-old showbiz correspondent, made his BBC dance debut on Saturday night on Strictly Come Dancing, performing the cha-cha-cha with professional partner Jowita to Katy Perry's California Gurls. He scored 10 points out of 40 on the opening night of the series.

Bridget, described by observers as a glamorous new girlfriend, was seated in the audience and seen next to Ross's sister Elaine as cameras caught the moment.

King is originally from Scotland and now lives in Los Angeles. He left the United Kingdom in 2000 to become GMTV's showbiz correspondent, a role he held until 2010. He later added presenting work, including a stint as a weather presenter for KTLA after winning a competition. He has appeared in a string of films, including The Day After Tomorrow, Half Past Dead, Cruel Game, Do It For Uncle Manny, Trust Me, Young Hercules and Who's Your Caddy.

King's personal life includes two marriages. He married actress Charley, born Helen Charlotte Way, in 1999; they separated in 2006 and had no children. He later married Brianna Deutsch in 2015; the couple reportedly split in 2022 after seven years of marriage but remained friends. Their wedding was attended by showbiz friends such as Gerard Butler, Patsy Palmer, Jackie Collins, and Gary Barlow, who performed at the ceremony. In 2023, King reunited with Charley at BAFTA's Burns Bash in Los Angeles, where the former couple posed together for photos.

King was confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing last month, as part of the 2025 lineup that features a mix of athletes, actors and reality stars. His debut on the ballroom stage marks another chapter in a career that has spanned television, film and writing, and fans will be watching to see how he progresses on the dance floor.