The 11th Strictly Come Dancing contestant has been named, it is Jamie Laing who is a reality TV star you may know from Made in Chelsea.
Strictly will return to our TV screens on BBC1 in September and will be taking over Saturday night telly…
Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Head Judge Shirley Ballas are all expected to be back judging this year but they will be joined by new judge Motsi Mabuse for this series. She will be replacing Darcey Bussell who quit the show earlier in the year.
Motsi commented on her role in the show saying: “I am absolutely overjoyed to be joining the Strictly judging panel. I have so much respect and admiration for the other three judges and hope to add my own bit of sparkle to the show. I can’t wait to get started!”
The line up.
Here is all the line up so far for the show.
Michelle Visage
Michelle Visage has been confirmed for the show, she is a RuPaul Drag Race star and she was “over the moon” to be going on the show.
She added: “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 presenting women of the age.”
Will Bayley
Will Bayley is a world table tennis paralympic champion, he is ranked the world’s number one and won gold for Team GB in the Paralympic games in Brazil 2016.
Bayley commented on being picked for the show saying: “I’m so proud to be on the show, it’s my family’s favourite show,”
He added: “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.”
Karim Zeroual
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Joining our #Strictly Come Dancing class of 2019 it’s CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual!
Karim Zeroual is a CBBC presenter and a former child actor who starred in CBBC’s The Sparticle Mystery.
When asked about how he feels about Strictly he replied: ‘To be offered the chance to take part in Strictly is dumbfounding, I’m pinching myself!’
He added: “I want the lot. The skimpiest of clothes, the widest of flares, the brightest of colours and the tallest Cuban heels a guy can find! The more flamboyant the better… sequins galore please!”
Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth,
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Meet Viscountess and chef 👩🍳 @emmaweymouth. Ready to take on another title. #Strictly star 2019!
Viscountess Weymouth is a chef and model plus she is a contributing editor for British Vogue and also runs Longleat safari park with her family.
She said: “It’s so, so exciting, it’s such an institution.”
Catherine Tyldesley
Former Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley will also be hitting the dance floor this year.
Speaking about going on the show, she said: “I am so excited.
“I love to dance on a night out if I have had a couple of drinks, but I can’t actually dance.
“I think choreography is what I am going to struggle with. I am terrified. When I was at theatre school I always swerved dance classes because I was so big. It will be like therapy!”
Mike Bushell
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BBC sports news presenter Mike Bushell is also going on the show and he explains it being “like a weird dream”.
Emma Barton
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Waltzing in from Walford welcome @TheEmmaBarton! @BBCEastEnders Honey Mitchell to #Strictly
Emma Barton is an EastEnders actress who plays Honey Mitchell. She was one of the first names to be announced for the dancing show.
David James
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Our first signing of the #Strictly 2019 season is @England football legend David James! ⚽️ @jamo1dj
David James is a former England goalkeeper and is now heading to the show after hearing it was an “amazing experience” from former contestants.
In a statement, David 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.’
Chris Ramsey
Comedian Chris Ramsey is “really buzzing” to be on the show. He revealed that he has never been a dancing person, he added:”You will not find me on the dancefloor at parties,” said the 32-year-old. “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.”
Saffron Barker
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Saffron Barker is a 19-year-old YouTuber and social media star. She says she was “very grateful for the opportunity” and is excited to follow in the footsteps of former contestant and YouTuber Joe Sugg.
Anneka Rice
Broadcaster Anneka Rice will be taking the stage.
Commenting on her place on the show she said: “I haven’t danced since I was seven and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated. My family and friends haven’t seen me dance since, not at a wedding or round a handbag so it’s going to be a challenge for my partner.
“In fact I’ve asked for two, one on each side. I can’t see myself in a long frilly dress either. But I’m feeling recklessly excited. Strictly has always been my autumn’s entertainment and now I’m part of it! My children will probably leave the country.”
James Cracknell
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Strictly 2019 just got even more oarsome! Say hello to Olympic rower @jamescracknell! 🥇
Olympic rower James Cracknell will be joining the show. He previously won gold medals at the 2000 and 2004 Olympics.
The 47-year-old oarsman said: “It’s going be really interesting having no confidence in it and then going ‘OK, can you do it?'”
Alex Scott
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Former England and Arsenal football player Alex Scott will be putting her skills to the test. She has previously won Strictly Comic Relief special in 2018…
This is a show that I’ve always wanted to be a part of,” Scott admitted. “When I did [Comic Relief], I was like, ‘I want to be part of the main one.’
Dev Griffin
Dev Griffin is a BBC Radio 1 DJ and is hoping his second winning in a dance competition at a Pontins holiday park in 1996 will give him luck for the show.
He said: “I am really good at dancing. I never had any formal dance training, but I am pretty good, I have made myself good. All I want is to win. I don’t believe in doing things for taking part, if you are going to do something, you do it to win.”