Who is Seann Walsh? I’m a Celebrity 2022 and former Strictly contestant in profile
Comic made headlines after appearing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Seann Walsh is one of this year’s competitors on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
The comedian joined the show as a “bombshell” late addition alongside former health secretary Matt Hancock.
Before his headline-making appearance on Strictly Come Dancing (more on that further down), the comedian and actor started out his stand-up career in Brighton. Walsh performed his 2012 show Seann to Be Wild at the Edinburgh Fringe and toured the country with it. His 2013 Fringe show The Lie-In King also received positive reviews.
Walsh had a role in Jack Dee’s ITV sitcom Bad Move, and made numerous TV appearances on shows such as Live at the Apollo and 8 Out of 10 Cats.
Walsh joined the lineup for Strictly in 2018, and was paired up with professional dancer Katya Jones.
The pair became embroiled in scandal after they were photographed and filmed kissing on a night out during the show’s run. Walsh had a long-term girlfriend, actor Rebecca Humphries, at the time, and Jones was married to fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones. They split up in 2019.
Earlier this year, Walsh discussed the impact of the kiss during a conversation on Backstage With Katherine Ryan. “What you are thinking about is, ‘What have you done to someone?’” he said. “It’s one thing doing that privately and I don’t judge anyone, because everyone’s got their own backstory, lives or whatever. It was horrific. It was crazy.”
Walsh also admitted he is unable to watch Strictly after his experience, saying it “messes my head up”.
He explained: “I have such amazing memories of being on that show and then the repercussions of that kiss, it was crazy... I’m just a comic.”
The comedian had previously spoken about how the scandal affected his professional ambitions. On a 2021 episode of podcast Take Flight, he said that his life had “changed forever” as a result.
“I was a very dream-like young man – I would dream of doing the Apollo, my sitcom,” he told host Mark Whittle.
“Then it was suddenly the first time I was living without hope.”
After the controversy, Walsh went on to tour a new show, Seann Walsh: Is Dead. Happy Now?, a frank hour about the fallout from his time on Strictly, from PTSD and suicidal thoughts to therapy and quitting alcohol.
Since appearing on I’m a Celebrity, Walsh has formed a bromance with Hancock and discussed the Strictly scandal.
I’m a Celebrity airs nightly on ITV at 9pm.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments