Hampshire's very own Strictly Come Dancing pro Kai Widdrington will go on the run for charity in the new year after being announced as part of the cast of Celebrity Hunted.

Kai, born and raised in Chandler's Ford, will swap sequins for camping equipment next month as he tries to evade an elite team of hunters tracking down his every move.

The Channel 4 show sees the team attempt to track celebrities down as they go on the run in aid of Stand Up To Cancer.

The contestants will attempt to evade capture for a fortnight while the hunters use a vast wealth of resources to catch them.

Among the hunters’ team are police and military personnel who have access to CCTV footage, helicopters, drones, dogs, media campaigns and the latest cyber forensic technology.

Kai, who will dance with drag artist Tayce on Strictly's Christmas Special, will be partnered with his former fellow star Giovanni Pernice.

The Italian dancer did not feature in the current series of the BBC celebrity dancing show after his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington made allegations about his behaviour, claiming she was subject to a “toxic environment” and “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying”.

A BBC investigation into the actress’s allegations upheld “some, but not all” of the complaints made against the professional dancer, who previously rejected “any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour”.

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They will compete against Loose Women’s Denise Welch and her husband Lincoln Townley as well as Blue singer Duncan James and model Christine McGuinness.

Former EastEnders star Danielle Harold and Coronation Street actress Kimberly Hart-Simpson will also take part alongside news anchors Simon McCoy and Lucrezia Millarini; and podcasters David Whitely and Zeze Millz.

The executive producer of the production company, Tom Hutchings, said the upcoming series will be the “most exhilarating” yet.

“Expect trips to Albert Square and Blue concerts, celebrities begging for money and clothes, failed camping attempts and blagged moments of luxury, and a team of 30 hunters stopping at nothing to catch them,” he said.

“No celebrities were harmed in the making of this programme, only a few bruised egos.”

Celebrity Hunted will air on Channel 4 from January 5 at 9pm.