Olympic gold medallist Denise Lewis was forgotten Strictly runner-up to Jill Halfpenny
Denise Lewis, who was a gold medalist in the heptathlon at the Olympics, also competed in Strictly Come Dancing as a runner-up to Jill Halfpenny in the ballroom dance competition not once, but twice.
Lewis, who earned a gold medal for excelling in track and field at the 2000 Sydney Games, also made a memorable appearance on the Strictly dancefloor four years later.
The Team GB competitor has returned to the 2024 Olympics, but this time she is serving as a commentator at the Paris Games. Let's take a look back at her performances on Strictly Come Dancing and her outstanding achievements in sports.
Many famous people have competed on Strictly Come Dancing over the years, as the show prepares for its 21st season. It can be hard to remember which celebrities have already participated in the BBC competition.
However, what Strictly fans might not remember is that Lewis came in second place in the second season of Strictly and has also been a runner-up to Jill Halfpenny on two occasions.
Denise Lewis came in second place to Jill Halfpenny.
The first and second seasons of the show Strictly were both in 2004. However, Lewis' series in October was the first to be in its usual autumn time slot.
Even though actress Halfpenny is remembered as one of the most beloved winners of Strictly, we often overlook the contestant who finished in second place.
In the second season, Lewis was paired with Ian Waite, who guided her through a Quickstep, Samba, and Showdance for the grand finale.
However, Halfpenny and partner Darren Bennett narrowly triumphed over them in a later competition, including participants from the first two series.
Lewis participated in Strictly once more in 2016 as a competitor in the Christmas episode with Anton Du Beke.
The Shining Career Of Denise Lewis
Denise Lewis is currently working as a broadcaster for BBC Sport.
Along with Katarina Johnson-Thompson and Jessica Ennis-Hill, Lewis is seen as one of the top female multi-event athletes in Britain.
The athlete achieved her greatest accomplishment by winning a gold medal in the heptathlon at the 2000 Sydney Games, after earning a bronze medal at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
Additionally, she achieved first place finishes at the 1998 European Championships and the 1994 and 1998 Commonwealth Games, earning gold medals in each competition.
Denise Lewis On Television
Similar to many ex-athletes, Lewis has transitioned smoothly into a new role as a commentator for BBC Sports.
She often shares her thoughts and reports on athletic competitions, having previously provided commentary and hosted events for the 2012 Olympics in London and the 2016 Olympics in Rio. She is now preparing for the upcoming games in Paris.
Apart from her work on BBC Sports and appearances on Strictly Come Dancing, Lewis has also been a contestant on various entertainment shows. Most recently, she showcased her talents on The Masked Dancer 2022, where she wowed audiences as Sea Slug.
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