Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left in stitches on Saturday evening as Ross King took to the ballroom dressed as a Thunderbird.
The Scottish presenter, 63, who is currently competing in this year’s glitzy ballroom series with professional partner Jowita Przystal, 31, looked worlds away from his usual self as he debuted jet black hair and dramatic bushy eyebrows.
Hoping to climb up from the bottom of the leaderboard, the pair performed a Paso Doble to the iconic Thunderbirds theme.
However, Ross and Jowita earned just 19 points from the judges, leaving them at risk of elimination. Despite the low score, it marked an improvement of four points from last Saturday’s routine.
Following the performance, viewers flocked to X, formerly Twitter, to poke fun at Ross’s striking transformation, with some comparing him to Jonathan Ross and LazyTown villain Robbie Rotten.
One viewer wrote: ‘Ross King looks so different with dark hair and bushy eyebrows (laughing emoji)’; ‘Why does Ross King look like Jonathan Ross???’
Strictly Come Dancing viewers were left in stitches on Saturday evening as Ross King took to the ballroom dressed as a Thunderbird
The Scottish presenter, 63, who is currently competing in this year’s glitzy ballroom series with professional partner Jowita Przystal, 31, looked worlds away from his usual self as he debuted jet black hair and dramatic bushy eyebrows
‘God bless Ross King he’s been proper set up here (crying laughing emojis)’; ‘Ross King as a Thunderbird is absolute comedy gold.’
It comes after Ross King reportedly had a secret romance with a high-profile BBC presenter following the breakdown of his second marriage.
The Strictly Come Dancing star quietly split from ex-wife Brianna Deutsch in 2018, after seven years together.
According to The Sun, people in Ross’ circle have insisted the romance was purely casual with the unnamed woman and took place after his marriage ended.
‘They had been friends for a while, but nothing happened until long after he and Brianna were separated’, a source told the publication.
‘They kept it out of the public eye because of their profile. Neither of them wanted the pressure of people talking.’
Daily Mail has contacted Ross and Brianna’s representatives for comment.
Nowadays, Ross is currently in a relationship with his glamorous new girlfriend, Bridget Siegel, 43.
The pair performed a Paso Doble to the iconic Thunderbirds theme. However, they earned just 19 points from the judges, leaving them at risk of elimination
Following the performance, viewers flocked to X, formerly Twitter, to poke fun at Ross’s striking transformation, with some comparing him to Jonathan Ross and LazyTown villain Robbie Rotten
Bridget, a restaurant CEO and 20 years Ross’s junior, will be staying in the UK throughout his Strictly journey to continue supporting him from the sidelines.
Viewers who hadn’t realised Ross was in a new relationship were left shocked by the loved-up display following his 2018 split from Brianna.
Ross made a memorable entrance, sliding into the ballroom on a giant chute before teaming up with Jowita Przystał, 31, who even worked a ‘hip hop’ section into their routine, although the star joked that at his age it’s more ‘hip operation’ than anything else.
But to Ross’s close friends and family, it was no surprise to see Bridget, who works in the luxury food and beverage industry, cheering him on in the crowd after the pair’s romance began in 2024 and quickly became serious.
The TV host has even welcomed Bridget into his opulent £1.5 million Hollywood Hills home, which spans three floors and boasts a swimming pool and a soundproof recording studio, where he broadcasts his weekly Lorraine segments live.
A source told the Daily Mail: ‘When Ross was confirmed for Strictly, Bridget immediately said she would be with him every step of the way.
‘True to her word, she flew over from Los Angeles to support Ross and will remain in the UK throughout his time in the competition.
‘Ross and Bridget met in 2023 after being introduced by mutual friends, and last year, they started dating. Bridget has moved into Ross’s Hollywood Hills home, and they’re very happy together.
It comes after Ross King reportedly had a secret romance with a high-profile BBC presenter following the breakdown of his second marriage (Ross pictured on Strictly last week)
Nowadays, Ross is currently in a relationship with his glamorous new girlfriend, Bridget Siegel, 43 (pictured together in 2024)
‘She’s extremely successful in her own right, as a high-flying CEO of a restaurant company, she has a fantastic career, which is one of the things that attracted Ross to her.’
At the end of his Strictly performance, Ross thanked his girlfriend for her unwavering support.
Speaking on the live show, he said, ‘It’s so lovely that my girlfriend Bridget flew over 5,000 miles to come and watch. I told her, “You have to come because there might not be many of these.”‘
Ross’s girlfriend Bridget, is currently the chief operating officer at hospitality firm R3 Venture Studios.
The US-based company builds the ‘next generation of exceptional consumer brands.’
She was previously a COO at plant-based quick service restaurant Hart House, a position she held for two years, and she enjoyed a similar role at New York company &Pizza for four years previously, initially joining as Head of Culinary.
Bridget also worked for Munchery, another New York-based eatery, for just over three-and-a-half-years, as Culinary Fairfield and Business Director for the East Coast.
Ross first married actress Charley, born Helen Charlotte Way, in 1999, but they went their separate ways in 2006. They never had children.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
George Clark
Age: 25
Profession: YouTuber
He says: ‘Never thought I’d say this… but I’m doing Strictly! Honestly, I’ve got no idea what I’m doing but I’m excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
Amber Davies
Age: 28
Profession: West End star
She says: ‘This has been the craziest 24 hours of my life. I’ve watched Strictly with my family since I was younger and to now be part of the show is a dream come true.’
