Sam Champion to compete on latest 'Dancing with the Stars'

Sam Champion, the weather forecaster for WABC/7 and ABC's "Good Morning America," was announced on Thursday as one of the 16 personalities who’ll vie for the mirror ball trophy on season 31 of the celebrity dance competition "Dancing with the Stars," premiering Sept. 19. The reality show will now stream on Disney+ instead of airing on ABC.

"Uh … … I have something to share!" the Kentucky-born Champion, 62, tweeted afterward, posting an image of himself in the sparkly black dance shirt and black pants he wore on the "GMA" reveal "Let's see if I can dance! #DWTS @GMA wish me luck please! But this cast is full of the nicest people!"

Champion, who is paired with ballroom-dance professional Cheryl Burke, will compete against the usual "DWTS" array of entertainers, athletes, online performers and reality-TV stars. The actors include Selma Blair (films including 1999's "Cruel Intentions" and the 2000s "Hellboy" franchise, and TV series including "Anger Management" and "Another Life”), who said last year she is in remission from her multiple sclerosis; Trevor Donovan ("90210"); Daniel Durant ("Coda"); 1970s "Charlie's Angels" star Cheryl Ladd; and Jason Lewis ("Sex and the City"); along with comedian, actor, singer and improv star Wayne Brady.

Other performers include country music singer and fashion entrepreneur Jessie James Decker and platinum recording artist and "American Idol" season-6 winner Jordin Sparks, as well as drag star and "RuPaul's Drag Race" competitor Shangela (né D.J. Pierce). Additionally competing are TikTok dance phenom Charli D'Amelio and her mother Heidi D'Amelio, a star and executive producer of the Hulu reality series "The D'Amelio Show."

Other reality stars this season are Teresa Giudice of "The Real Housewives of New Jersey," Vinny Guadagnino of "Jersey Shore" and Gabby Windey, one of the dual stars of the current season of "The Bachelorette."

"I just found out on Friday," Champion told "GMA" co-anchor and Garden City native Lara Spencer on the morning show Thursday, "so it wasn't hard to keep the secret from anybody. I've got my COVID 15 pounds on right now, so I'm not in shape," he said lightheartedly. "I've never danced a moment in my life." He added jokingly, "I cannot reveal all the secrets of the dance moves that I will bring, because I don't know them!"

"GMA" co-anchor Robin Roberts said on the show she was happy and flabbergasted to hear the news. "I was sitting on my bed, he gives me a call, I just got back from vacation, and I [smacks hand] flat on the bed!" She told Champion, "I am so proud of you for not only venturing outside of your comfort zone — for dancing outside of your comfort zone! — and we will be there, cheering you on."

Champion already had warned his "GMA" compatriots, "Hurry up and do it fast before they decide that I can't be there anymore!"