Dr Punam Krishan is known for being BBC Morning Live‘s resident medic – but the doctor is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up, and she’ll see you now!

Not that her patients won’t continue to see her in her NHS GP practice, too. Glasgow-born Dr Punam, 41, has insisted she will be continuing with her medical commitments while she’s appearing on the BBC One dance contest.

But Strictly, it seems, was an opportunity she just couldn’t resist.

‘This doesn’t feel real’

Dr Punam said: “This still doesn’t feel real, I am overjoyed to be a contestant on this year’s show.”

She continued: “I have watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year. I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.

I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.

“This is so out of my comfort zone, but I’m up for the journey and will give it my absolute all.”

How Dr Punam Krishan is famous

Dr Punam has been offering medical insights and sharing health news on Morning Live since 2020. Her broadcasting has also included work with BBC Scotland.

She also went viral several years back as she detailed her experience on social media of experiencing racism from a patient.

“I decided to talk about it,” she reflected in January 2019.

Dr Punam added: “It’s important that people are made aware that these attitudes exist in Britain today. I hoped that if I could speak up and raise awareness, it might encourage other people to do the same and share stories where people haven’t been the bystander.”

Where to find Strictly star Dr Punam Krishan on TV

She hosted Laid Bare in October 2019, which saw patients given a comprehensive medical check up – and a frank assessment from Dr Punam. Her advice was described as “a living post-mortem” by one journalist.

Additionally, Dr Punam also appeared in episode of The Weakest Link in December 2022. However, she was voted off in the second round.

She’s also appeared on radio and in newspapers, and Dr Punam’s writing includes her debut children’s book How to Be a Doctor and Other Life-Saving Jobs. Published in 2022, she’s also been commissioned to write a further two children’s books in 2025. You and Your Body will be a flap board book about human anatomy, while A Superhero’s First Aid Manual will concentrate on first aid.

Strictly star Dr Punam Krishan and her famous husband

Dr Punam married Sandesh Gulhane in 2011, a fellow GP. Since 2021, Sandesh has been an MSP for the Conservatives in Glasgow.

They share two children – son Aarish, 11, and four-year-old daughter, Ellora.

And Dr Punam has previously joked about her husband: “He started off as an orthopaedic surgeon. But you can’t live with me and not become a GP.”

Dr Punam Krishan on her family being told she ‘didn’t have long to live’

Dr Punam has also spoken about the dramatic circumstances surrounding the birth of her son have informed her career.

She ended up on a ventilator in intensive care as she had Aarish.

“My family were told that I didn’t have long to live. What happened to me was a complete out-the-blue crisis point in life that gives you a scare,” she said.

Suffering a postpartum haemorrhage, Dr Punam recalled: “It was a freak, bleed-out episode. I went into heart and lung failure, developed clotting issues and widespread sepsis.”

However, she came to realise that as she was offered medication, all she wanted “was support and space to heal”.

And so Dr Punam considers it important how being a patient can inform being a media, adding: “I returned to work a completely different doctor.”

What happened when Dr Punam Krishan was in a car accident

In March 2023, Dr Punam told social media fans about how her ‘life flashed before her eyes’ during a terrifying car incident.

She said on Instagram: “One minute you could be cruising along, living your best life. And the next you could see it all flash before your eyes.

“This is what happened to me as I lost total control of everything as my car aquaplaned across the lanes on a busy motorway at 70mph causing me to crash straight into the central reservation a few days ago.

“All blurry but yet so vivid, in slow motion but also too fast to register, so deafening but simultaneously silent.

“An experience of absolute fear but one that’s left an overwhelming sense of gratitude. All this, all at once!”

She added: “I’m still trying to process what the hell happened. But there are key people that I can’t stop thinking about whose selfless acts of kindness, compassion and care will stay with me forever.

“There are people who will slow down, look and drive on when they witness a RTA. But then there are people who stop, step up and play a significant a role in helping you. Absolute heroes.”

Dr Punam also explained how “an angel” who was among the first on the scene kept telling her to breathe as they cared for her.

She GP explained: “[The woman] even gave me her blanket to keep me warm and told me to keep it as the paramedics lifted me out.

“I’ve got it beside me now as a reminder of the sweetest strangers who’ll touch your life in the most significant of ways.

“You might never see them again but there’s real goodness out there.”

Dr Punam Krishan to continue as a doctor while she’s on Strictly

The doctor has made it clear she won’t leave her role as a GP while she’s part of Strictly 2024.

She told Instagram followers earlier this month: “When you’re surrounded by the best people, you can achieve anything.

“I’ve had some people ask me whether I’ll be leaving my NHS GP work to do Strictly. Absolutely not.

“It will be a challenge to balance it but I’m so lucky to be supported by the most fantastic team and, as my practice manager put it, ‘we will make it work!’ I love my job.”

Dr Punam continued: “My patients and my duty of care towards them will always come first.

“However, I’m also someone who has passions, dreams, and aspirations outside of my day job.”

She continued: “Strictly is a proper dream come true for me. I’m a fan and my practice team are mega fans so they are fully behind me for which I’m so grateful.”

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Strictly Come Dancing starts on BBC One on Saturday September 14 at 7.20pm.

Read more: Strictly 2024 ‘to have fewer female celebrities for first time in history’ following ‘bullying’ scandal

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Olympic swimmer Tom Dean MBE is one of the many star-studded celebrities who have signed up for this year’s 2024 Strictly series.

While he is used to swimming laps and winning gold medals, Tom has decided to switch it up and learn some moves for a chance to take home the glitterball trophy.

“I am taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024! You may have heard me accidentally say it poolside first… but now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing. Bring it on!” he said in a statement.

But who is Tom Dean? How many gold medals has he won? Is he in a relationship? Keep scrolling to find out.

Who Tom Dean is, his age, height and where he lives

Tom Dean is a British competitive freestyle swimmer. His full name is Thomas William Darnton.

Tom was born on May 2, 2000, making him 24 years old. He is 6ft 4in tall, according to Red Bull.

Tom was born in London but grew up in Maidenhead in Berkshire. He was the second of five children.

He lives and trains in Bath, Somerset, according to BBC.

Meet Tom Dean’s parents

Tom’s parents are Jacquie Hughes and Jonathan Dean. His father, Jonathan, is a property d irector for the company Peer Group plc, who are based in London.

His mum, Jacqui, works in media policy. In an interview with the PA news agency, she revealed her son took part in dance classes at school and made the final of a “Strictly equivalent” dancing competition. “I wouldn’t say he was John Travolta,” she joked.

“Him and his brothers always choreograph a really funny dance for Christmas to show to me and his sisters, which is always hilarious, which they reveal on Christmas Day, but that’s just a bit of fun.”

Tom Dean’s girlfriend

Swimmer Tom is currently in a relationship with girlfriend Charlotte Phillip, who works for NewsUK.

Tom and Charlotte have been together since at least 2023. He has previously shared pictures of her on his social media. And we’ll be keeping our eyes peeled for Charlotte in the Strictly audience!

Where Tom Dean went to school

Tom attended Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School in Marlow, Buckinghamshire. Following his A-levels, he studied mechanical engineering at the University of Bath. After developing a passion for swimming at the age of eight, he was training at the National Centre for Swimming in Bath during his studies at uni.

During an interview with the University of Bath in 2021, Tom stated that training and studying at Bath “was a no-brainer for me”.

“There are very few universities in the UK or even the world where I would be able to train in such great facilities and also study the Mechanical Engineering course I wanted to do. Both of those coming together in such a beautiful city, there was nowhere else that even crossed my mind and it has worked out really well for me,” he continued.

“I took a year out of my studies for the 2019-20 Olympic season, to focus all my time and energy on training for Tokyo 2020. Unfortunately it was postponed for a year but I was able to put back my return to studies for another year and fortunate enough that the University has supported me throughout that period.”

How many Olympic gold medals has Tom Dean won?

Tom Dean is a triple Olympic gold medallist. At the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Tom won big, winning gold in the 200m freestyle and 4x200m freestyle.

At the Summer Olympics in Paris this year, Tom won his third gold medal in the 4x200m freestyle.

“I don’t think you can put it into words. This is what we all dream of,” he told BBC about his recent win. “This is what I have been dreaming of for three years since we won. We are the first team with the same quartet to defend an Olympic [swimming] title – it’s incredible.

“Even more special was having my family and friends and the crowd and that is what we do it for. Everyone watching at home, all the GB fans up in the stands – it is what we do it for.”

Tom has also won medals at the Commonwealth Games, World Championships, and European Championships throughout his career.

Tom Dean on Strictly 2024

Before the BBC confirmed Tom was competing during the 2024 series of Strictly, he let slip ahead of the announcement that he had signed up.

“Naturally you want to take a break after you’ve had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose. I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different. I’ll be doing that and straight back into training after it,” he revealed in an interview.

Tom admitted he might be reaching out to fellow swimmer Adam Peaty, who competed on the show in 2016 and finished in ninth place, for some advice.

“It’s something to look forward to. I’ve not seen [Adam Peaty] yet. He did brilliantly on it so I’ll be getting a few tips from him, for sure. I don’t do too well out of water in gravity sports. I’m throwing myself into it and I know what a hard day’s training is like so I’m looking forward to it,” he added.

“I guess we’ll find out. It’s something to look forward to and once I finish this, back home, relax a bit with the family and then we crack on end of August time. It’s exciting.”

Read more: Strictly 2024: Bosses ‘demand all professional dancers undergo anti-bullying training’ amid misconduct investigation

Strictly stars on Saturday September 14 at 7.20pm on BBC One.

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Star of Strictly Janette Manrara opened up in a new interview about her struggles after she chose to leave the show.

The Cuban-American presenter became a professional dancer on Strictly in 2013 and remained on the show until she quit the main show in 2021.  She currently hosts co-hosts Strictly’s It Takes Two alongside former contestant Fleur East.

However, while she chose to leave Strictly, she admits the decision came with its challenges.

Janette Manrara was ‘not working’ after Strictly

During a new interview with the Express, Janette, who is married to fellow dancer Aljaž Škorjanec, admitted that she was “not working” during the pandemic.

“It was a scary time for all of us and especially anybody involved in the theatre and entertainment world,” she revealed, adding, “I was not working at all. Thank God for Strictly coming back that year.”

Janette stated she had “a lot of anxiety, stress and nervousness.” As a result, her friend and former Strictly contestant Ashley Roberts recommended that she take a well-being course.

After gaining her certification, Janette began to apply those sessions to her own life.

“When I was about to turn 40, writing a book started to make its way to me. And I thought, ‘Do you know what this is the book I want to write,’” she continued.

“I want to help people, I want people to understand why our mind functions the way it does, and have tools they can apply daily. Easy, simple things that they can do to lead a little bit more of a fulfilled life.”

Janette’s book, Tiny Dancer, which was released on Thursday (September 12), focuses on four topics: Acceptance, Reflection, The Work and Discovery.

‘I cannot believe the day has arrived!’

On the release of her book, Janette expressed her excitement in an Instagram post.

“I cannot believe the day has arrived! Feeling so much love and light in my heart!” she wrote in her caption.

“If you have pre-ordered the book, THANK YOU! If you have come to my book events, or will be coming to one of my book events, THANK YOU!! I am so humbled by all of you and your support.”

Read more: Janette Manrara addresses struggles with Strictly pro husband Aljaz Skorjanec: ‘It’s very difficult’

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