Sudanese-British Dancer Hamza Yassin Becoming A Star on Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing star Hamza Ahmed Yassin is still going strong on the dancing competition alongside his professional Polish dance partner, Jowita Prystal. They have reached the quarter-final. In addition, Hamza is not only the first Sudanese-British to reach the quarter-final, but the first to compete on the show entirely.

Hamza is a 32-year-old wildlife cameraman/photographer and TV presenter, and has now turned to dancing as a star on BBC One’s Strictly Come Dancing. He is known for his role as Ranger Hamza on the children’s television channel CBeebies and his work on shows such as Countryfile and Animal Park, as well as presenting programmes about Scottish wildlife.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hamza Yassin Photography (@hamzayassin90)

He is the 13th celebrity to join Strictly Come Dancing 2022. ‘On joining the show, he said, ‘Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show. I’ve been watching it for years and I can’t believe I’ll actually be there dancing live in front of the British public,’ he said (Radio Times).

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hamza Yassin Photography (@hamzayassin90)

The amateur dancer has been partnered with the professional Polish ballroom dancer, Jowita Prystal. ‘My dance skills are currently at the level of ‘1970s disco vibe’ but I’m ready to work hard and will be shaking it every time I get the chance – shake it ‘til you make it!’ he said (Radio Times). The dancing pair spend weeks in intense training sessions. 

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hamza Yassin Photography (@hamzayassin90)

During a joint appearance on Loose Women, the pair were asked how they’re finding the process. Hamza revealed he’s struggling to adjust to his newfound fame after earning a legion of fans from Strictly Come Dancing. ‘Normally I’m not under the spotlight and Jowita told me it would all be fine, she gets me through and then I just flip her on a Saturday! It is a lot for me because I can spend weeks by myself,’ he said (Daily Mail).

Hamza is now the firm favourite to win the show after a series of wonderful dance routines. He topped the leaderboard four times and avoided the dreaded dance-off so far. 

Hamza comes from humble roots and previously revealed that he was voluntarily homeless for nine months as he tried to achieve his dream of becoming a wildlife photographer. He left Sudan at the age of 21 after being inspired by a remote Scottish village on the west coast peninsula of Ardnamurchan during a family holiday.

Hamza is now based in Scotland and recently fronted Channel 4 documentary, Scotland: My Life in the Wild and Scotland: Escape to the Wilderness, in which he guided celebrity companions on journeys through western and eastern Scotland and the Highlands. In his spare time, Hamza competes in the Highland Games and enjoys riding his motorbike on country roads.

He recently announced that he is publishing a book, Go Birding, a birdwatching guide book, which comes out in August 2023.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Hamza Yassin Photography (@hamzayassin90)

Follow his journey on his social media channels: Instagram @hamzayassin90, and Twitter @HamzaYassin3.