Strictly Come Dancing's Ross King: How the Scottish TV star rose to fame, if he's married and where he lives now
Kim Bond | 12:01pm Sat 20 SepRoss King is waltzing to the other side of showbiz after signing up to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.
The entertainment journalist is usually at home interviewing celebrities on the red carpet. But now, he is competing among 14 other famous faces on the BBC show.
Here, we take a deep dive into who Ross King is, where he lives, of he’s married and how old he is.
Strictly Come Dancing: Who is Ross King?
Ross goes by his middle name. The Strictly star was actually born Derek Ross King on February 21, 1962. This makes him 63 years old. He grew up in Glasgow, Scotland, and had his eyes set on the stars from a young age.
When he was just five years old, Ross made his first stage appearance in a theatre production. By 17, he was already emerging as a radio presenter. Ross landed a job on Radio Clyde and presented the Saturday morning flagship King’s Clyde Countdown and The Lunchtime Show.
Within two years, Ross had spread his wings even further and made his television debut.
Ross King’s TV career
In 1988, Ross hosted Young Krypton, a children’s show on CITV. It was based on the popular strength and endurance programme, The Krypton Factor.
Speaking about his time on children’ TV, Ross said on ITV’s Lorraine this year: “I applied [f0r the role] alongside 3600 others. I loved every minute of it. It was my big break.”
But it was in 1993 that he started his renowned showbiz career beat. Ross landed a job as an entertainment correspondent on GMTV, the morning breakfast programme on ITV. In 1999, he ended up moving to Los Angeles almost on a whim.
After marrying this then-wife, dancer Charley Way, the pair decided to head Stateside for a new adventure.
“It was a ridiculous gamble,” Ross reflected in an interview with The Daily Record in 2010. “Neither of us had any work waiting for us in the US.” Ross added he was worried he had thrown away a successful career in the UK when work dried up.
But Ross got lucky when he saw American TV channel KTLA was looking for a weatherman. But he kept quiet about his application: “I could see the headlines back in Scotland: Ross King’s Hollywood dream lies in tatters.”
Much to his delight and surprise, Ross landed the role. He worked as the channel’s weatherman for one year, before moving over to become KTLA’s entertainment anchor.
When he wasn’t live on air in the States, Ross cemented himself as GMTV’s man in Hollywood. He would also share gossip from America on ITV’s Lorraine and This Morning. He continues in this role on Lorraine and ITV breakfast show, Good Morning Britain.
As a showbiz reporter, Ross has also contributed to programmes including BBC’s Children in Need and the Critics’ Choice Awards.
Star of film and radio
He’s a man of many talents! Ross is also an accomplished stage and film performer. He has had small roles in blockbuster films, including The Day After Tomorrow, Who’s Your Caddy and Star Wars: Jedi Fighter 2. Ross even had a part in Angelina Jolie’s 2014 Disney movie, Maleficent.
Ross is still best known for his work on the small screen. But he never entirely turned his back on his radio career, either. Taking it full circle, he fronts The Ross King Show from his home over in the States for Scottish broadcaster Radio Clyde.
Ross has also done voice-over work, most notably as the UK voice of American Express. But Ross jokes with fans on his website that he “can’t pay off their balance” on their credit cards.
Where does Ross King live?
Having been based in LA for over 25 years, Ross lives in what he calls “his wee Scottish abode” in the Hollywood hills. He has direct views of the iconic Hollywood sign.
Ross has never forgotten his Scottish roots, though. In a video tour of his home for Open House TV, Ross shows how he has a thistle ornament near to his front door to remind him of home.
“It’s the emblem of Scotland,” he explained in the tour video. “It’s just a little clue.”
Now flying over to the UK to take part in Strictly, Ross is staying in his home city of Glasgow. He said to the BBC ahead of his Strictly debut: “This is always home. The banter is the big thing that I miss.
“When I arrived, one guy said, ‘Hey, you look just like Ross King off the TV – no offence’. I miss the banter.”
Is Ross King married?
Ross King has been married twice. He tied the knot with first wife Charley, born Helen Charlotte Way, in 1999. The pair divorced in 2006. Previously, Ross discussed how their busy work schedules put a huge strain on their marriage. Charley was to tour The Producers across the States for a year, which made them distance.
“That’s not good for a marriage,” said Ross. “I’d fly out to hook up with her if I could but I needed to be in LA to get work. It was very hard.
How much is Ross King worth?
According to unconfirmed reports, Ross is worth an estimated $5 million. That equates to £3.7 million. As well as his broadcast career, Ross has established himself as an author, too.
He has teamed up with best-selling female author Shari Low and his books are sexy thrillers based amongst the Hollywood elite. One, The Rise, was released in 2022. A follow up called The Catch then available in 2023. The final book in the trilogy, The Fall, was released in the same year.
In 2007, he met Brianna Deutsch, a former model. Their whirlwind romance saw Brianna move in with Ross after just three months together. The pair got engaged in 2009.
“She’s beautiful and I know I’m punching well, well above my weight,” he told the Daily Record.
Ross married Brianna in 2015. Ross’s many showbiz pals, including Gerard Butler, Patsy Palmer, Jackie Collins, and Gary Barlow, all attended the wedding. But the pair quietly split in 2022 and now remain friends.
Strictly Come Dancing odds
Sadly, Ross isn’t a favourite to lift the glitterball trophy this year. Betway have odds on Ross winning at 66/1, and is the most likely to be voted out first.
But, Ross is willing to take Strictly Come Dancing in his stride and give it his best shot. “It’s been one of the most fun experiences I’ve had so far,” he said. “I know it’s going to be really hard. I know I’m never going to win but if I could be the most improved.”
We’re still rooting for you, Ross.
