The Strictly Come Dancing contestants are being announced for the 2019 series, and we couldn't be more excited to welcome the dancing show back in September! Check out the famous faces who will be sashaying, tangoing and cha-cha-cha-ing their way around the dance floor and stay tuned! We will be updating you with the whole line-up of contestants here...
Chris Ramsey
The One Show revealed that Chris would be joining the show on Wednesday. The comedian, who is best known for starring in The Chris Ramsey Show, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and I'm a Celebrity: Extra Camp, joked that it once took him six months to learn a dance, so his professional partner better watch out! He said: "I’m both excited and absolutely terrified to be doing the show. You will not find me on the dance floor at parties, you will find me at the buffet table. All night. At my wedding I danced with my wife; that one song took about six months practice, and I definitely stood on her feet a couple of times. So I’m looking forward to the possibility of making a fool of myself in front of millions of people… there better be a buffet after the live shows."
His wife Rosie has already poked fun at the 'Strictly curse' on Instagram, writing: "He rang, our marriage is safe. I'm really looking forward to having something to actually do on a Saturday night... Feel like it's me doing it! (Wish it was. Not bitter. Bit Bitter. It's all good)."
Catherine Tyldesley
Ruth Langsford and Eamonn Holmes revealed that Catherine was the fifth contestant on Strictly on Thursday's This Morning. In a statement, Catherine said: "I'm thrilled to be a part of this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I'm a huge fan of the show. It'll be my biggest challenge to date as I'm not much of a dancer, but I've always wanted to learn the skill and the time feels right! I'm nervous as hell but super excited to work with such talented professionals. Hold onto your jazz shoes... mine is sure to be a bumpy/clumsy/fun ride!" Catherine is best known for her role as Eva Price on Coronation Street. She also stars in Channel 4's 15 Days and BBC drama Lilies.
David James
The former England goalkeeper said that previous contestant Mark Foster had convinced him to do Strictly after he'd been asked to appear on numerous occasions. He said: "I've been asked to do this quite a number of times and I said, 'No it's not my kind of thing'. But Mark said it's amazing so this time round I said yes. I've had to keep it secret for so long… I told my mum, but she forgot." When Stacey Dooley? said she was trying to work out which of the taller dancers he'll be paired with as he is 6'5", David jokily replied: "I'm going to be wearing high heels as well."
READ: All the signs that Neil Jones will finally get a partner on this year's Strictly Come Dancing
In a statement, he said: "I'm really excited to be on Strictly this year. Not just competing against this year's stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill, #LetsGetLive."
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Saffron Barker
The 19-year-old revealed that she will be taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing on Heart Radio's Breakfast show on Thursday. Speaking about putting on her dancing shoes for the competition, the YouTube star said: "I am really excited to go on the Strictly journey and am feeling very grateful for the opportunity! I'm looking forward to learning all of the dances, finding out who my partner is, getting to wear the costumes and to just experience this once in a lifetime opportunity."
READ: Strictly pro dancers pictured in first group photo at rehearsals - see here
Saffron has 15 million views a month on her YouTube channels, and her first book, Saffron Barker Vs Real Life made the number one slot on the Sunday Times bestsellers list. She has also launched three homeware ranges with Primark. The star was so thrilled to be asked to join that show that she even filmed her family's hilarious reactions to the exciting news!
Emma Barton
Will Emma go the distance? The EastEnders star, who plays Honey Mitchell in the hit soap, has described herself as "one of the biggest Strictly fans on the planet". She said: "I still can’t believe this is happening. I’m very much a dance around your handbag kinda girl, but now I've been given this wonderful opportunity to learn all the different styles of dancing from the very best in the business."
READ: Joe Sugg's 'jealous' reaction is priceless as new Strictly contestants are revealed
She continued: "So, I’m whipping off Honey's Minute Mart tabard and diving right in to all the glitter and sparkle. From Albert Square to the Strictly dance floor - I just can’t wait!” As well as EastEnders, Emma has also appeared onstage in Chicago, One Man, Two Guvnors and Annie. She is also a patron of Down’s Syndrome Association and Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association.
© Photo: BBCMike Bushell
He will be swapping early mornings for Saturday nights! The BBC Breakfast presenter was the sixth star confirmed. Mike said: "I am so excited to be joining this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve heard so many wonderful things from colleagues over the years so thrilled I’m now getting the chance. I know I will completely throw myself into the whole experience and I’m sure will love it from start to finish. I may have tried and profiled over 500 sports over the years in my Saturday morning BBC Breakfast slot but think the Strictly challenge could be the greatest. Bring on the glitter!"
The reporter presents the main sports bulletins of the day on BBC Breakfast, as well as profiling main stream sports events from the Olympics, Paralympics, the Winter games, Football World Cups, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, with the top stars, whether it be a game of tennis against Novak Djockovich, or trying to bowl out Alistair Cook, during his Saturday morning slot on Breakfast.
© Photo: BBCKarim Zeroual
Karim Zeroual has been a CBBC presenter since 2014, presenting directly from the CBBC HQ as well as numerous other titles, including BBC Young Dancer and Wimbledon Live. He was announced as the seventh celebrity to take part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing on 3 August.
"To be offered the chance to take part in Strictly is dumbfounding, I’m pinching myself…! I’m so excited to be Strictlified. I want THE LOT," Karim said. "The skimpiest of clothes, the widest of flares, the brightest of colours and the tallest Cuban heel a guy can find! The more flamboyant the better… sequins galore please!!"
© Photo: Getty ImagesMichelle Visage
Michelle Visage was the ninth contestant revealed to be battling for the glitterball in the upcoming seventeenth series of Strictly, with the exciting news confirmed on episode on Lorraine. Speaking via video link from Hollywood, the 50-year-old singer explained: "I'm Italian, so I would love Giovanni [Pernice]," adding: "I am very excited, I am over the moon. I can't wait to be dramatic and as amazing as I can be. I am 50 and I want to be representing women of the age."
The 50-year-old has been a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race since season three and on all seasons of the spin-off show RuPaul's Drag Race All Stars. The TV star will also appear on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, which is set to air on BBC Three this October.
© Photo: Getty ImagesViscountess Weymouth
The eighth contestant revealed for the 2019 line-up was Viscountess Weymouth, Emma Thynn. The model and philanthropist is married to Caewlin Thynn, also known as Viscount Weymouth. Speaking to Gaby Roslin on BBC London, the mother-of-two stated: "I am so excited, just hearing the theme tune then has set my heart racing. It's unbelievable, I'm so excited."
© Photo: Getty ImagesWill Bayley MBE
Will Bayley was confirmed as the tenth celebrity contestant for the brand-new series on Monday morning, with the news announced on TalkRadio. The World Table Tennis Paralympic champion is currently in training to defend his Paralympic title at the Tokyo 2020 games. The 31-year-old has suffered from arthrogryposis since birth, a rare condition which affects all four of his limbs. In a statement, he said: "I’m so proud to be on the show, it’s my family’s favourite show. I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well. I want to inspire people with a disability - that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this."
© Photo: Getty ImagesAlex Scott MBE
The 34-year-old is a sports pundit, presenter and was the former professional footballer for England and Arsenal. Sharing her excitement, she said: "I am absolutely buzzing to be signed up to Strictly. It's the show I've always wanted to do and I can't believe I'm finally going to be part of it. I’m super excited, but also terrified at the same time... The football pitch is a bit less glam than the ballroom, but I’m ready to try the sequins and dresses! Bring it on!"
Dev Griffin
The BBC Radio 1 presenter said: "I just can't believe I'm doing Strictly, it just doesn’t feel real yet! It's going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I'm not doing this to take part, I'm totally in it to win it!" He added: "I can't wait to meet my partner and start practicing."
© Photo: Getty ImagesJames Cracknell
The former rowing World Champion shared his excitement, saying: "I'm really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year. Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill. I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment."
© Photo: Getty ImagesAnneka Rice
Anneka Rice was revealed as the 15th contestant taking part in the hit BBC One dance show airing in September. Strictly posted the news on their official Instagram account, where they shared a photo of Anneka, captioning the snap: ""We challenge Anneka to one series of #Strictly. Ready to sparkle it's national *treasure* Anneka Rice @annekariceart." The 60-year-old Welsh TV and radio presenter rose to fame in 1982 as the jump-suited "skyrunner" working on Treasure Hunt with Channel 4.
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