The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up includes Coronation Street stars and Paralympic champions.
The BBC started its rollout of this year's Strictly line-up and it may be one of the best yet. The past two seasons have been plagued by covid restrictions which saw the ballroom lose its audience and panels put up between judges - but this year they're coming back with a bang.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly return to hosting duties alongside the esteemed panel of judges - Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas. Bruno Tonioli was with the show for 18 years before Anton stood in for him last year but the choreographer has decided to call it quits to focus on the show's American version.
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In order to make up for the loss of a dancing legend, the producers have gone all out with this year's line-up as they've got their hands on Coronation Street stars, Paralympians, Loose Women panellists and stand-up comedians. Here's the entire Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up as announced:
James Bye
The EastEnders' actor will take to the dancefloor for the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing. The soap star is renowned for his role as Martin Fowler in the BBC show. He appeared on Good Morning Britain to confirm he would be competing for the Glitterball and said his aim is to "go and have the best time that you can".
Strictly Come Dancing also announced the exciting news on the show's Instagram page. The post said: "Waltzing in from Walford @bbceastenders actor James Bye is now playing a leading role on #Strictly!"
Hamza Yassin
Viewers will recognise Hamza from his roles as a presenter on Animal Park and his guest spot on Countryfile. Notable for his work on the outdoors, Hamza also worked on CBeebies shows such as Let’s Go For A Walk where he played Ranger Hamza along with his new series Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest airing later this month.
Discussing his participation in the latest series of Strictly, the videographer admitted he never thought he'd receive the call. He added: "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. 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
The X Factor star will don her dancing shoes for the next season of Strictly Come Dancing. The 34-year-old first appeared on the ITV singing competition as part of girl group Addictiv Ladies in 2005.
However, she shot to stardom when she returned to the show as a solo artist in 2014. Fleur has since gone on to forge a successful career as a presenter as she hosted game show, The Void. Strictly Come Dancing announced she would be competing on the show in a post on Instagram.
It said: "She's heading in the direction of the #Strictly dance floor. Welcome pop star and presenter Fleur East!"
Tony Adams
The former Arsenal centre back will take to the dancefloor for the next season of the BBC contest. He said: "So... I’m officially swapping my battered old football boots for the ballroom shoes! The lure of the sequins was simply too much!
"I am thrilled to be a part of the 20th anniversary of @bbcstrictly this year.. I can’t wait to meet my partner and get dancing."
Molly Rainford
Molly Rainford has been confirmed as the 10th contestant on the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing. The pop sensation rose to fame on season six of Britain's Got Talent and currently stars in CBBC show, Nova Jones. 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
Ellie Taylor began her career as a stand-up comedian after appearing on ITV’s Show Me The Funny and has gone on to write and perform five stand-up comedy shows. After her reveal on Lorraine, she 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! 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!"
Matt Goss
Frontman of Bros, platinum record-producing artist Matt Goss is already a step ahead of his competitors given his lengthy career in pop and dance music. Matt broke records with his Las Vegas residency and has even been given his own “Matt Goss Day” on August 8.
Matt was announced on This Morning where he said he was nervous despite his background. He added: "I am nervous yeah but you want that challenge. I'm excited to meet the contestants and have that comradery and just crack on really. I think it's good to be nervous but I'm really excited."
Tyler West
The 26-year-old presenter, who previously appeared on CBBC, said he could not wait to “shake a leg” on the show’s famous ballroom floor. After the news was announced on Kiss Breakfast with Diversity dancers Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely, West said: “I am so gassed to be joining the Strictly family.
“As I started writing this I already got cramp. 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.”
West hosts weekday afternoons on Kiss, for which he was nominated for Audio and Radio Industry Awards for best new presenter in 2020. He started his broadcasting career in children’s television, presenting for CBBC, and has also hosted MTV News, HQ Trivia and the red carpet live show for the 2020 Baftas.
Ellie Simmonds
Ellie, who at the age of 13 was the youngest British athlete at the 2008 Paralympics in Beijing, said she was "bursting with excitement"
She added: "To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it's going to be 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. Plus wearing the sequins and all that, it's going to be a blast.
"I've been watching Strictly from as far back as I can remember; it's a traditional lead up to Christmas with my family and it's a genuine privilege to be part of it."
Jayde Adams
Jayde is best known as a comedian and has won several comedy awards and was nominated for the coveted Best Newcomer with her Edinburgh Fringe debut stand-up hour. Speaking on her role in the upcoming series, Jayde said "every step I’ve taken in my career over the last 11 years was to be on Strictly."
She added: "I cannot begin to express the emotions I am feeling, this means so much to me and my family. I’ve always watched it, apart from a brief hiatus in 2011 as I was relentlessly gigging every weekend (to try and get on Strictly).
"I’ve been a massive fan of the show for years. 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!"
Kaye Adams
The journalist and chat show regular, best known for her work on Loose Women, was announced as the fourth competitor to take on the Strictly ballroom. Kaye made the announcement herself on the ITV show where she admitted she was "terrified" but nerves wouldn't get the better of her.
She added: "I could think of a million reasons not to do this and when these gorgeous young dancers came on I nearly exited from both ends of my body, honestly. But I thought am I going to be sitting at the end of September thinking 'do you know what why didn't I just give it a go?'.
"I'm 59, I know I keep going on about my age, I've decided to embrace it. I'm 60 at the end of this year and I think well why not? I can't make much of a fool as myself any more than I already am."
Richie Anderson
Best known for presenting BBC Radio 2's Breakfast show, he also travelled to Turin for the Eurovision Song Contest to cover the event for his station. A regular on the One Show, Richie also found himself commenting the Queen's Jubilee Celebrations.
Upon being 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.
"I’m going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I’m sure my friends and family will understand. 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."
Kym Marsh
Kym is best known for her role as Michelle Connor in ITV's Corrie, for which she won Best Newcomer at both the National Television Awards and British Soap Awards. She also enjoyed a fantastic career in the band Hear'Say after winning the show Popstars.
Following the announcement, Kym 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!"
Recently, as well as her Strictly announcement, it was also revealed that Kym will be joining the cast of Waterloo Road, as the BBC school-based drama is set to make a return later this year. She will play the role of Nicky Walters - a mother to two pupils and school canteen worker.
Will Mellor
The first of this year's line-up to be announced, the BBC made sure to come out the gate swinging with actor Will Mellor. Will is best known for his work in Hollyoaks and Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps. The 46-year-old recently had a stint on ITV soap-opera Coronation Street where he played drug gangster Harvey Gaskell.
Upon being announced, Will said: "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!"
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