Help actually
unbiased journalism
Our mission is to ship unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds energy to account and exposes the reality.
Whether or not $5 or $50, each contribution counts.
Help us to ship journalism with out an agenda.
Strictly Come Dancing is gearing as much as return for the present’s twentieth anniversary amid ongoing scandal relating to the conduct of the BBC present’s skilled dancers.
The twenty second collection arrives because the programme faces scrutiny over the remedy of a few of its superstar contributors. Two skilled dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, have now left the present following allegations made about their conduct throughout coaching.
Pernice has denied allegations of “threatening and abusive behaviour,” whereas Di Prima stated in a press release he “deeply regrets” kicking his superstar associate Zara McDermott throughout a rehearsal.
The tumultuous collection will air from a not but revealed date this autumn and can as soon as once more be hosted by the glittering duo that’s Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse have additionally been confirmed as returning judges.
As with earlier seasons, Strictly’s superstar contestants have been introduced in drip feed bulletins by the BBC. The official checklist up to now consists of actuality stars, singers, comedians and extra. Meet all of them under…
Shayne Ward
Singer Shayne Ward was catapulted to fame when his debut single and album topped the UK charts with the observe “That’s My Objective” making it to Christmas primary after he received the second collection of The X Consider 2005. Ward is often known as Aidan Connor within the ITV cleaning soap Coronation Avenue and has appeared in various musicals together with the West Finish’s Nineteen Eighties present Rock of Ages.
Ward stated of his upcoming Strictly look: “I’m buzzing to see all the sparkles and magic that’s Strictly in actual life. I’m no stranger to reside TV, however dancing Latin and Ballroom in entrance of tens of millions is an entire new stage. No guarantees on my dancing capability, however I’ll give it my finest shot!”
Sarah Hadland
Actor Sarah Hadland is finest identified for her position as Steve within the BBC comedy Miranda, which she starred in alongside the present’s creator Miranda Hart. She can also be one of many unique forged members of the youngsters’s collection Horrible Histories and has appeared in quite a few movies, together with the Bond epic Quantum of Solace.
“I can not imagine I’m a part of Strictly!” Hadland stated. “I really feel significantly excited to be a part of such an iconic present in its twentieth yr. I’m so prepared for the glitz, glam and glitter and hopefully I could make everybody watching at dwelling proud!”
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers solely. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews till cancelled
Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 days
New subscribers solely. £8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews till cancelled
Tasha Ghouri
Love Island contestant and mannequin Tasha Ghouri appeared on the ITV actuality present in 2022, changing into its first deaf contestant. She educated as a dancer at Inventive Academy and has since competed at main dance occasions and carried out in music movies. Ghouri additionally hosts the podcast Superpowers with Tasha and launched the ebook Hits Totally different in June a few woman who’s an aspiring dancer and goes on tour with a worldwide famous person.
The Love Island star stated of her inclusion on the present: “Pinch me, I can’t imagine I’m going to be on Strictly Come Dancing! I’ve been watching the present since I used to be little – it’s a agency Ghouri household favorite – so it is a whole dream come true. I do know it’s going to be an unforgettable expertise and I hope to symbolize and make everybody proud out on that dance ground.”
Pete Wicks
The Solely Approach is Essex star Pete Wicks rose to fame on the Brentford primarily based actuality present in 2015, with storylines revolving round his relationships with Megan McKenna and Chloe Sims. He has since appeared on exhibits together with Celeb MasterChef, Celeb SAS: Who Dares Wins, The Actual Full Monty, Celebs Go Relationship and co-hosts the Staying Related podcast together with his finest good friend and Made in Chelsea starSam Thompson.
“Dancing reside in entrance of the nation each Saturday? Completely terrifying,” Wicks stated. “However anybody who is aware of me is aware of I really like a problem and attempting new issues, so I’m genuinely wanting ahead to getting caught in.”
Wynne Evans
Tenor Wynne Evans, who’s broadly identified for that includes within the theatrical Go Examine adverts as an opera singer, has had two primary classical albums and has given over 200 performances on the Royal Albert Corridor in London. He additionally hosts an everyday present on BBC Radio Wales and is filming a collection with Gavin and Stacey’s Joanna Web page in regards to the Welsh shoreline.
“I’m actually nonetheless pinching myself, a portly balding opera singer, me, collaborating in Strictly Come Dancing?!” he stated. “I’m not solely certain how I’ll get alongside, if all else fails I’ll simply should study the artwork of distraction.
“What I do know is I’ll give it my all and purpose to make Wales proud. I’m positively going to try to mix my love of opera into certainly one of my routines. Plus, after profitable Celeb MasterChef final yr, possibly the path to the judges’ hearts might be by their stomachs!”
Toyah Willcox
Singer and actor Toyah Willcox has 13 high 40 singles together with “It’s a Thriller”, “Thunder within the Mountains” and “I Wish to Be Free”. She fronted the eponymous band Toyah from 1977 earlier than changing into a solo artist in 1983. The singer has additionally featured in movies together with The Corn is Inexperienced and Derek Jarman’s 1979 adaptation of The Tempest.
Willcox stated in a press release: “Wow Strictly Come Dancing, are you able to imagine it! That is going to be a wild and fantastic experience, and I’m right here for each sparkly second. I’m used to performing for giant crowds however that is fully recent for me. How I’ll do, it’s a thriller… I simply need to get cracking and study some dance routines now!”
Dr Punam Krishan
Dr Punam Krishan is a resident GP on BBC Morning Stay and BBC Radio Scotland. She recurrently covers well being matters for newspapers and TV exhibits and has additionally written the youngsters’s ebook Find out how to Be a Physician and Different Stay-Saving Jobs.
She stated: “This nonetheless doesn’t really feel actual, I’m overjoyed to be a contestant on this yr’s present. I’ve watched Strictly yearly with my household and it feels additional particular that it’s the twentieth yr, I can’t imagine I would be the one getting Strictly-fied now. That is so out of my consolation zone, however I’m up for the journey and can give it my absolute all.”
Chris McCausland
Comic Chris McCausland is an everyday face on flagship comedy exhibits like Have I Acquired Information for You and Would I Deceive You?. He’s additionally identified for taking part in Rudi within the CBeebies present Me Too!
The 46-year-old would be the first blind contestant to compete within the present. He misplaced his eyesight in his early twenties on account of retinitis pigmentosa, a hereditary situation. The analysis resulted in him leaving his job in internet improvement, earlier than becoming a member of the leisure business and discovering success.
“I don’t dance, I haven’t danced, I can’t dance, I can’t see the dancing I must do. What can presumably go flawed? Okay don’t reply that!” he stated. “If anyone out there’s pondering ‘How the hell is he going to do this?’ then relaxation assured that I’m pondering precisely the identical factor.”
Requested how he feels about collaborating, McCausland added: “Apprehensive, massively apprehensive. I don’t know what I’m getting myself into, I’ve by no means watched it, clearly. It’s just a few music. I don’t dance, I’ve by no means danced. I grew up with headbanging and mosh pits.”
JB Gill
Singer JB Gill shot to fame within the X-Issue based band JLS alongside Marvin Humes, Aston Merrygold and Ortise Williams, who’re identified for his or her hits “Everyone in Love”, “She Makes Me Wanna” and “One Shot”. The pop group launched 4 albums earlier than splitting in 2013.
Gill stated of becoming a member of this yr’s Strictly contestants: “I danced within the Strictly Christmas particular over a decade in the past and LOVED it, so once I bought the decision to affix Strictly this yr, it was an instantaneous sure from me.I’m raring to go to and searching ahead to displaying off some new abilities to the JLS boys.”
