Strictly Come Dancing will be back on our screens soon, so soon that we are finally finding out which celebrities will be taking part in the 2023 series! With everyone from actors to newsreaders taking part, it is a seriously impressive line-up! Here are all of the announcements so far - and stay tuned for more!
Les Dennis
© BBCLes Dennis will be joining the show as the final celebrity to be announced for the new line-up! The star is best known for Les is best known for presenting Family Fortunes, from 1987 to 2002, and has also appeared in Midsomer Murders and Death in Paradise. Speaking about the exciting news, he said: "I’m thrilled to be doing this iconic wonderful show as I approach my 70th birthday! In my career, I’ve always gone for challenges outside my comfort zone and this is the ultimate one! Can’t wait."
Annabel Croft
Tennis star Annabel will be joining the line-up. The former British number one tennis player, who also covers Wimbledon and is a TV personality, fronting shows including Treasure Hunt and Inceptor, spoke about her excitement, saying: "I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process."
Nigel Harman
EastEnders and Downton Abbey star Nigel Harman is taking to the iconic ballroom floor for the 2023 show. The news was revealed on an episode of ITV's Lorraine.
On joining the show, the 49-year-old star said: "I'm amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it's my turn... gulp!"
© BBCBobby Brazier
EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier is set to take part in Strictly this year. Whilst Bobby is best known for his acting roles, the 20-year-old is also a budding model and has walked the runway for a number of shows including Dolce & Gabbana.
Speaking about joining the 2023 series, Bobby said: "I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly line up. I can't wait to start training like a professional dancer and adding a few moves to my locker. I'm looking forward to performing in front of everyone, it's going to be so much fun!"
© BBCJody Cundy
Jody Cundy CBE has been confirmed as the 11th contestant set to join the Strictly line-up! The World and Paralympic champion is an English cyclist and former swimmer. He has represented Great Britain at seven Summer Paralympics winning eight gold, one silver and three bronze medals across swimming and cycling events.
In light of his sporting achievements, Jody was awarded an MBE for his services to Disability sport, which in 2017 was upgraded to an OBE for his services to swimming and cycling. Meanwhile, in 2022, he later received a CBE for services to cycling.
Speaking of his upcoming Strictly adventure, the 44-year-old said: "[I am] excited to be welcomed into the Strictly family and throw myself head first into the world of ballroom dancing. So far away from what I'm used to, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, especially as I'm always last onto the dance floor. Can't wait to get stuck in, bring on the glitter and sequins!"
© BBCEllie Leach
Corrie star Ellie Leach is set to dust of her dancing shoes for this year's Strictly competition. The 22-year-old actress is best known for playing Faye Windass in the beloved soap, and spoke about how much she was looking forward to the new gig, saying: "It still doesn't feel real that I'm going to be doing Strictly!! It's always been a dream of mine so I guess dreams really do come true!"
During an appearance on Wednesday's instalment of BBC Breakfast, a buzzing Ellie said: "I'm so excited, I'm getting a bit nervous now it's getting nearer to the time, but yeah, so excited!"
© BBCNikita Kanda
Nikita Kanda is swapping the BBC's broadcasting studio for the dance floor this autumn. The radio and TV presenter, who is the current host of the BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast show, is part of the 2023 line-up.
Nikita, who regularly appears as a reporter on The One Show, said of joining the show: "I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself. I don’t think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor. I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!"
© BBCAdam Thomas
Adam Thomas will be taking to the dance floor for the 2023 show - and we couldn't be more excited. The star is best known for portraying Adam Barton in ITV's Emmerdale, as well as for his role as Donte Charles in BBC One's Waterloo Road.
On signing up for this year's series, Adam said: "I am so excited to be joining the cast of this year's Strictly Come Dancing. I've been such a big fan of the show for years, I can't believe I'm actually doing it!
He admitted: "I can't dance to save my life but I'm buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor... I can't wait!"
© BBCZara McDermott
Zara McDermott will be taking part in the show - and we can't wait to see her strutting her stuff on the Strictly dancefloor. Zara works as a broadcaster and content creator but is perhaps best known for appearing on ITV reality show Love Island in 2018. Speaking to the BBC about her joining the BBC Ballroom and Latin competition, Zara, 26, said: "I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan."
© BBCAngela Scanlon
© BBCAll the rumours are true! Angela Scanlon will indeed be taking part on the show this year! The Irish TV presenter, whose shows include You Home Made Perfect and Ask Me Anything, said: "I’m terrified, I’m excited and I have so many questions. Will they make me tan? How itchy are sequins?! Do they do flesh-coloured sports bras? Well - there’s only one way to find out, right!? Now I’m panicking a bit… but also secretly thrilled about the prospect of all that glitter. Let’s go!"
Eddie Kadi
© BBCComedian and radio presenter Eddie Kadi will be entertaining us on the BBC show very soon! The comedy legend has a huge international fanbase, and he was the first British black comedian to headline the O2 Arena in London. Speaking about his excitement to be taking part in the show, he said: "WOW. Anyone who knows me, understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got. This is going to be a VIBE."
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Krishnan is a hugely popular journalist and broadcaster, and he announced that he would be taking part after joining Claudia Winkleman on her BBC Radio 2 show last week. The TV personality is the main anchor for Channel 4 News and reports from around the world with his series, Unreported World. He said: "I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘you only live once!’ and I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude. I know I’m going to love it and have a brilliant time and just hope I’m not the only one enjoying my participation."
Layton Williams
© David M. BenettEveryone’s talking about Layton! The Bad Education and Everyone’s Talking about Jamie star will be putting on his dancing shoes for the show. Since he previously performed as Billy in the hit show Billy Elliot, we think he has what it takes to go all of the way! He said: "Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It's time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!"
Every Strictly Come Dancing winner so far
- 2004: Natisha Kaplinsky (partner Brendan Cole)
- 2004: Jill Halfpenny (partner Darren Bennett)
- 2005: Darren Gough (partner Lilia Kopylova)
- 2006: Mark Ramprakash (partner Karen Hardy)
- 2007: Alesha Dixon (partner Matthew Cutler)
- 2008: Tom Chambers (partner Camilla Dallerup)
- 2009: Chris Hollins (partner Ola Jordan)
- 2010: Kara Tointon (partner Artem Chigvintsev)
- 2011: Harry Judd (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2012: Louis Smith (partner Flavia Cacace)
- 2013: Abbey Clancy (partner Aljaž Škorjanec)
- 2014: Caroline Flack (partner Pasha Kovalev)
- 2015: Jay McGuiness (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2016: Ore Oduba (partner Joanne Clifton)
- 2017: Joe McFadden (partner Katya Jones)
- 2018: Stacey Dooley (partner Kevin Clifton)
- 2019: Kelvin Fletcher (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2020: Bill Bailey (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis (partner Giovanni Pernice)
- 2022: Hamza Yassin (partner Jowita Przystał)
- 2023: Ellie Leach (partner Vito Coppola)
Angela Rippon
© GettyOn Friday, The One Show revealed that Angela Rippon CBE will be taking part in the show! The TV presenter and newsreader, 78, will be the oldest contestant to ever take part in the show. She said: "Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango!!"
Amanda Abbington
© GettyWelcome to Strictly, Amanda! The star is perhaps best known for her roles in Sherlock, Mr Selfridge and The Lost King, and opened up about taking part in the hit show, saying: "I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things! Plus, I get to learn to dance which I am incredibly excited about. I’m really looking forward to the training too, I’m quite competitive as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start!"
