Skip to main contentSkip to footer

Meet Strictly's Hamza Yassin: From family life to remote home in Scotland

Hamza is a TV presenter

strictly hamza contestant
Nicky Morris
TV and film writer
Share this:

Strictly Come Dancing star Hamza Yassin wowed the judges with his incredible foxtrot on Saturday night, which saw him place joint top of the leaderboard alongside actor Will Mellor. 

MORE: Strictly's Giovanni Pernice addresses fallout rumours with dance partner Richie Anderson

But how much do you know about the TV presenter? Find out everything you know about Hamza here, including his family life and remote home in Scotland…

WATCH: Will Mellor astounds with incredible jive in week one

Who is Hamza Yassin? 

Hamza Yassin is a Sudanese-born Scottish TV presenter and cameraman, who viewers will recognise as a guest presenter on the BBC's Countryfile. He is also one of the hosts of the BBC's documentary series, Animal Park, which is filmed at Longleat Safari Park. 

Younger fans will know the star for appearing as Ranger Hamza in the CBeebies programme Let's Go For a Walk

Before landing his TV roles, Hamza studied a degree in Zoology with Conservation and an Honorary Masters degree at Bangor University before going on to achieve a Masters in Biological Photography and Imaging from the University of Nottingham.

READ: Giovanni Pernice talks sizzling chemistry with Rose Ayling-Ellis after dedicating tattoo to her

MORE: James and Ola Jordan share predictions on first celeb to leave Strictly - and it might surprise you

Where does Hamza Yassin live? 

When he was just eight years old, Hamza moved to Scotland's West Highlands, where he was able to pursue his dream of filming Scottish wildlife and becoming a wildlife cameraman. 

hamza animal park© Photo: BBC

Hamza is a presenter on Animal Park

Hamza still calls Scotland home and currently lives in a village of 150 people in a rural part of the west coast of Scotland. The star has "wildlife and nature right on his doorstop", according to his official talent profile. 

While not much is known about Hamza's family or romantic life, which he keeps very private, he did discuss their reaction to him joining the BBC dancing show.  

He told HELLO! and other journalists: "The family quickly knew and then the village knew. I live in a place with 150 people, the jungle drums went, are the rumours true?! They're all behind me, they're all supportive so really, really lovely to have that." 

Who is Hamza's dance partner?  

Hamza is partnered with professional dancer Jowita Prystal, a Polish dancer who joined the BBC show last year. 

MORE: Strictly star Tony Adams reveals partner Katya Jones' harsh words about his dancing

After winning the second series of The Greatest Dancer in 2020, Jowita was awarded a prize of £50,000 and the opportunity to perform on the next series. 

hamza foxtrot strictly© Photo: BBC

Hamza wowed the judges with his foxtrot in week one

Chatting about being paired up with Jowita, Hamza said: "I was just ecstatic that she's shorter than me. You know, that's my thing. I'm a short dude! 

"I was over the moon and Jowita is just amazing, a beautiful soul. She's direct, she tells me exactly what she wants and because I have a tendency to just sway, I need to be on the straight and narrow. She said, 'Give me two things, all your energy and listen to what I have to say.'"

Like this story? Sign up to our What to Watch newsletter to get other stories like this delivered straight to your inbox.

More TV and Film

See more