It's that time of year again! The launch of Strictly Come Dancing is just around the corner - and we are so excited for its return! While we can't wait to be reunited with our favourite dancing pros and find out who is paired with who - we're also seriously excited to meet the celebrity class of 2022!
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From Paralympians to actors to comedians, there is an incredible line-up this year But who are the celebrities taking part? Check out the full 2022 line-up below...
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Helen Skelton
Completing the class of 2022 is TV presenter, Helen Skelton. Helen is perhaps best known for her presenting duties on the likes of Countryfile and Blue Peter, and spoke about her excitement in taking part in the show, saying: "I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started."
James Bye
Welcome to Strictly, James! The EastEnders actor plays Martin Fowler in the hit soap, and spoke about his delight in joining the dancing competition, saying: "I’m not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes - in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it’s an honour to be asked and I’m going to give it my best shot. There are some huge dance shoes to fill and it’s truly exciting to follow in the footsteps of some amazing EastEnders talent. I’d love to do everyone proud."
Hamza Yassin
Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin was announced as the 13th celebrity contestant. Speaking to the BBC about joining the programme, he said: "I am absolutely over the moon to be joining Strictly 2022. Never in a million years did I think I’d be on such a cool show. I’ve been watching it for years and I can’t believe I’ll actually be there dancing live in front of the British public.
Hamza is a wildlife cameraman and presenter
"My dance skills are currently at the level of '1970's disco vibe' but I'm ready to work hard and will be shaking it every time I get the chance – shake it ‘til you make it!"
Fleur East
Singer Fleur East was the twelfth celebrity revealed to be joining this year's cast. The singer, who is best known for coming runner-up in series 11 of The X Factor, told the BBC: "I'm equally nervous and thrilled to be part of this year's Strictly line-up. I'm excited to learn new skills and I want to soak up every moment of this magical experience. It’s such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my Father who loved it so much.
Fleur is taking part to make her family proud
"Unfortunately my Dad is no longer with us but I know he will be watching over the ballroom in spirit. I’m doing this to make him and my family proud and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!"
Tony Adams MBE
Former English football player and manager Tony Adams MBE was the eleventh celebrity to join the 2022 line-up. The star was thrilled to be heading to the dance floor and told the BBC: "To say I'm excited is an understatement - the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes.
Tony is thrilled to be joining the line-up
"Am absolutely thrilled to be giving it my all on this year's 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing. I can't wait to meet my partner - god help her - and start the dancing."
Molly Rainford
Singer and actress Molly Rainford was the tenth contestant revealed to be heading to the ballroom for this year's series. Molly is best-known for becoming the youngest ever finalist of Britain's Got Talent at the age of 11 back in 2012. She is currently starring as intergalactic pop superstar Nova Jones in the hit CBBC show Nova Jones.
Molly is a singer and actress
Chatting to the BBC about joining the dance show, she said: "I'm so excited to be part of Strictly Come Dancing, I've watched it for years and can't wait to meet the pros and the others taking part! I can't wait to learn the moves and get dancing!"
Ellie Taylor
Actress and comedian Ellie Taylor was the ninth contestant to be announced for the 2022 series and we can't wait to see what she brings to the dance floor! On joining the show, Ellie said: "Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I'm absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022! I've watched the show for years so to be able to take to the dance floor is a dream come true, for both me and mum who is a Strictly super fan!
Ellie is an actress and comedian
"At the moment I'm focusing on the excitement and glitter and choosing to ignore the fact that I have the dancing ability of a newly born giraffe. Bring it on!"
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The star is perhaps best known for appearing in Apple TV's award-winning comedy series, Ted Lasso, as well as co-hosting Channel 4's The Great Pottery Throw Down.
Matt Goss
Bros singer Matt Goss was the eighth contestant revealed to be joining the Strictly family, and we are so excited! The popstar was announced during Monday's episode of This Morning, with the 80s icon telling Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle: "I am excited, I'm nervous, you have the conversation and then you go about your day and think 'I've got to dance!'".
Matt Goss was one-half of pop duo, Bros
Tyler West
TV and radio presenter Tyler West was the seventh contestant revealed to be taking to the dance floor for the 2022 series. Chatting about joining the line-up, the KISS FM presenter said: "I am SO gassed to be joining the Strictly family! As I started writing this I already got cramp.
© Photo: BBCTyler is known for presenting KISS FM
"It's going to be one crazy incredible journey which will no doubt be SO far outside my comfort zone. It's a show that means so much to me and my family and I can't wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins."
Tyler is best known for his radio stints but began his career in children's TV and has presented several shows across CBBC, as well as MTV News and HQ Trivia.
Ellie Simmonds
Paralympic swimmer and gold medallist Ellie Simmonds was the sixth contestant revealed to be joining the celeb cast of the show this year and we cannot wait to see her moves! Talking to the BBC about the show, the athlete said: " "Oh my gosh!! I’m literally bursting with excitement!! It's been soooo hard keeping this secret as I've wanted to tell everyone I'm going on Strictly Come Dancing!!
Ellie is a Paralympic gold medallist
"I'm a tad nervous too, well more than a tad… I'm absolutely petrified! To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it's going to so much fun. I'm counting down the minutes until it starts; learning to dance, meeting my partner and everyone else involved in the show."
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Since retiring from swimming, the star has gone on to present for BBC Sport, most recently for the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, as well as making documentaries such as Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism? for the BBC.
Jayde Adams
It was confirmed on Saturday that actress and comedian Jayde Adams will be joining the fabulous lineup of celebrities taking part in this year's competition, and we cannot wait to see her strut her stuff. Talking to the BBC about the show, the star said: "Since I watched the first series in 2004, I feel like every step I’ve taken in my career over the last 11 years was to be on Strictly. "I’ve been a massive fan of the show for years.
© Photo: Getty ImagesJayde is an actress and TV host
"I feel like I’m watching myself in a dream and I can’t believe I’ve manifested this. Holding this in has been torture for me!" Amongst her many talents, Jayde has starred in BBC Two BAFTA-winning comedy Alma’s Not Normal, the upcoming Take That movie Greatest Days, Amazon Prime’s Good Omens, and BBC One’s The Outlaws.
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Kaye Adams
Kaye Adams was revealed to be taking part in the show during Friday's episode of Loose Women and spoke about her excitement at being in the hugely popular dancing contest. On joining the show, she said: "I can't dance at all, I've got two left feet!" Kaye said in a statement to the BBC: "I said I wanted to make the last year of my fifties memorable and I can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me!”
Will Mellor
Will was the first contestant to be announced on Thursday, and we can’t wait to see him hit the dance floor! The Two Pints of Lager star spoke about his delight in taking part, saying: "I'm honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year!
"Not going to lie, it's totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that's what life is all about. This is also my Mum's favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!”
Will is best known for starring in Two Pints of Lager
As well as Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Will has also starred on Broadchurch and Line of Duty - and hosts a podcast with his friend, Ralf Little.
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Kym Marsh
The Coronation Street actress confirmed that she was taking part on Thursday, admitting she had been offered the gig several times. She said: "I’ve considered doing Strictly for years but the timings never worked out. I’m so delighted that this year they have! I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress, it’s unreal!"
We can wait to see Kym's moves!
The actress, who previously was a member of the band Hear’Say, is also set to star in the Waterloo Road revival, and recently starred as Alex in a theatre production of Fatal Attraction.
Richie Anderson
Richie was the third Strictly contestant to be announced with the exciting news arriving via Friday's BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show.
After the news was announced, Richie said: "This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world! Strictly is the ultimate feel-good show, as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it's just pure escapism.
Richie is a BBC Radio 2 DJ
He added: "It's also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it's so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show."
Richie is an RTS award-winning presenter and is best known for his well-established role on BBC Radio 2's Breakfast Show, presenting the travel bulletins as well as hosting a wide variety of his own shows - we can't wait to see them put on their dancing shoes!
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