Strictly Come Dancing 2022 has announced this year's contestants. The celebrity line-up will join the 20 professional dancers who were confirmed earlier this year. You can read more on this here.
EastEnders star James Bye was revealed on Friday, August 12. He joins previously announced contestants Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Richie Anderson, Kaye Adams, Jayde Adams, Ellie Simmonds OBE, Tyler West, Matt Goss, Ellie Taylor, Molly Rainford, Tony Adams MBE, Fleur East and Hamza Yassin.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to kick off with the Launch Show on Wednesday, September 7. The episode records in advance of the live shows and will see the contestants paired up with their professional partners for the first time. You can read more on the start date here.
Read more: When does Strictly Come Dancing 2022 start as contestants revealed?
The new series will see the return of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, and Anton Du Beke, as well as presenters Tess Daly, and Claudia Winkleman. The 2022 show will also see the return of the live audiences after the Covid-19 paramedic put a stop to studio activity.
But who are the Strictly 2022 contestants? Here's everything you need to know, and we'll keep this piece updated as the announcements continue.
Strictly Come Dancing 2022 contestants
James Bye
James Bye is the fourteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The news was revealed on Friday, August 12 on ITV’s Good Morning Britain.
He said: “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.”
James Bye is best known for portraying the iconic role of Martin Fowler in the BBC’s multi-award winning soap EastEnders, which he took over in 2014. He has been nominated for several British Soap awards, winning one for Best Storyline in 2016.
He has previously had roles in the BBC One mini-series The Great Train Robbery and films including Hummingbird, The Hooligan Factory and Cemetery Junction. On stage he has starred in several well-reviewed theatre productions.
Hamza Yassin
Hamza Yassin is the thirteenth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The news was revealed on Thursday, August 11 on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show.
He said of being involved: “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!”
Hamza is one of the presenters of BBC’s Animal Park and a guest presenter on BBC’s Countryfile where he shares his vast knowledge and camera skills. He is well known to younger viewers under the guise of Ranger Hamza, presenting CBeebies live-action show Let’s Go For A Walk and new series Ranger Hamza’s Eco Quest later this month. Hamza moved to the Scottish Highlands when he was younger to follow his dream of filming Scottish wildlife and becoming a wildlife cameraman. He has lived there ever since and recently fronted Channel 4 documentary Scotland: My Life in the Wild and Scotland: Escape to the Wilderness, in which he guided celebrity companions on journeys through western and eastern Scotland and the Highlands. In his spare time, Hamza competes in the Highland Games and enjoys riding the country roads on his motorbike.
Fleur East
Singer/songwriter Fleur East is contestant number 12 on Strictly 2022. Her involvement was announced on the Hits Radio Breakfast show on Thursday, August 11.
She said of joining the series: “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. 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!”
After coming runner-up in series 11 of The X Factor, Fleur has been a regular face in the world of music and broadcasting. As a singer she has released two albums, with European chart hit single “Sax” reaching number three in the UK singles chart. After appearing on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here in 2018 she became host of the Hits Radio Breakfast show which she hosts every weekday. She has also appeared as a presenter on the last three series of Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway and a host of ITV gameshow The Void.
Tony Adams MBE
Tony Adams MBE is the eleventh celebrity contestant confirmed. The news was revealed on Wednesday, August 10.
He said: “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. 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.”
Tony Adams MBE is a football legend. The formidable centre-back’s football career spanned over 22 years, playing for both Arsenal and England. Having captained both, he is regarded as one of Arsenal’s greatest ever players and one of the all-time greats of English football. Tony Adams MBE won 66 caps for England, appeared at four major tournaments and had 10 major trophy wins whilst is still the only player in English football history to captain a team to three top flight titles over three different decades. As captain of England, he famously led the national team to the Euro 96 final. Whilst he was playing he founded Sporting Chance, a charity to help sportspeople with mental health and addiction issues of which he remains Honorary president today.
Upon retirement Tony Adams MBE, a father to six and husband to wife Poppy, went into coaching and management before recently launching his new venture, SIX MHS, which delivers Mental Health and Addictions services to non-sportspeople and non-sport’s organisations. He remains a patron of four other additional charities, NACOA, Forward Trust, Saving Faces, School Home Support and has started the charity, 6 Addiction, for people that can’t afford private mental health services.
Molly Rainford
Molly Rainford was unveiled as the tenth celebrity contestant on Wednesday, August 10. Her involvement was confirmed on CBBC's Newsround.
Molly said of joining Strictly: “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!”
At only 21 years old, ‘intergalactic pop superstar’ singer and actress Molly Rainford is about to become a household name.
Molly burst onto TV screens at the age of eleven in 2012, when she became the youngest ever finalist of Britain’s Got Talent. Choosing to continue her studies after BGT, Simon Cowell and Sony Music honoured Molly with their first ever drama school scholarship at internationally renowned Sylvia Young Theatre School.
Since graduating, Molly is currently starring in the lead role as intergalactic pop superstar ‘Nova Jones’ in the hit CBBC show Nova Jones. This Autumn, Molly will be seen across CBBC screens as Nova Jones returns for series two. The series has proved so popular that the BBC has already filmed a third series.
Molly has been shortlisted for best newcomer at the 2022 Variety Club Showbusiness Awards and has released two EP's, including single Commitment, which has garnered over two million streams to date.
Ellie Taylor
Ellie Taylor is the ninth celebrity contestant confirmed to appear. She was unveiled during Lorraine on Tuesday, August 9.
She said of taking part: “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!"
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, one of which, Cravings, streamed on Netflix as part of Comedians of the World. Ellie is known as a regular on the BBC’s Mock The Week, The Mash Report and Live at the Apollo, Late Night Mash on Dave and, most recently, as a co-host on Channel 4’s The Great Pottery Throw Down. She also stars in Apple TV’s multi-award winning comedy series Ted Lasso. Ellie’s debut book, My Child and Other Mistakes, became a Sunday Times bestseller in 2021.
Her forthcoming projects include two brand-new formats as she presents You Won’t Believe This (w/t) for Channel 4 and co-hosts Cheat alongside Danny Dyer, which is coming soon to Netflix.
Matt Goss
Singer, Matt Goss, is the eighth celebrity confirmed to appear. His involvement was confirmed on This Morning on Monday, August 8.
He said: “I’m extremely nervous and excited, but I’m optimistic because I’m very supple from the knees down.”
Over the last decade, Matt has had a record breaking residency on the Las Vegas strip. He has received the revered “Icon Award” and has even been given his own “Matt Goss Day” on 8th August, which amazingly is his late mother’s birthday. The cult classic documentary: After the Screaming Stops, was nominated for three BAFTA’s which resulted in a win. It also won the BBC “Moment of the Year” and a National Television Award, to name a few.
Matt is a best-selling author with new books in the works. He is also set to play the lead role in upcoming psychological thriller movie, Cobbler Killer Stranger.
Tyler West
Tyler is best known for hosting weekday afternoons on KISS, for which he was nominated for a prestigious ARIA for Best New Presenter in 2020. Having begun his broadcasting career in children’s television, presenting various programming across CBBC, he has hosted MTV News, HQ Trivia and the 2020 EE BAFTA Awards Red Carpet Live Show. Last year he launched his first BBC Three series, co-hosting Flat out Fabulous as well as becoming the host of The MTV Movie Show.
He said of joining the show: “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.”
Ellie Simmonds
Five-time Paralympic champion, Simmonds, 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, winning several comedy awards including a nomination for the coveted Best Newcomer with her Edinburgh Fringe debut stand-up hour.
As an actor, 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, while she is co-creator and star of ITV2’s upcoming brand new series Ruby Speaking.
Jayde Adams 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 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
Kaye Adams is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The news was revealed today on Friday, August 5 on Loose Women.
She said of being asked: “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!”
Kaye is a broadcaster best known as an anchor on ITV topical discussion show Loose Women as well as for hosting the morning show on BBC Radio Scotland. Having started her career as a news journalist she has presented programming for various TV channels including STV, the BBC and Channel 5. She started her popular podcast, How To Be 60 with Kaye Adams, in 2022.
Richie Anderson
TV and radio presenter, Richie Anderson, was confirmed to be the third contestant joining the series.
He 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.”
Richie 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. In May he travelled to Turin to cover the Eurovision Song Contest for the station.
Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh was revealed as the second contestant of 2022 on BBC Breakfast.
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!"
Kym is well known for her role of Michelle Connor in Coronation Street. Kym has also had a successful music career, starting out in the band Hear'Say, which she won a place in after appearing on the show Popstars
Recently Kym played the notorious Alex in the touring theatre production of Fatal Attraction. Currently a presenter on BBC One's Morning Live, Kym is soon set to star in the revival on BBC One drama Waterloo Road.
Will Mellor
Will Mellor was the first celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
The actor 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!"
Will is known for his many acting roles over the last 30 years, including starring in Hollyoaks, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Line of Duty and Broadchurch. Most recently he appeared in Coronation Street as Harvey Gaskell.
As well as his acting career, Will reached number 5 in the UK Singles Chart with 'When I Need You' in 1998. He recently toured the UK with a live version of the popular podcast he co-hosts with Ralf Little, Two Pints with Will and Ralf.
Strictly Come Dancing starts on BBC One this autumn. For more showbiz and television stories, get our newsletter here.
READ NEXT:
- Strictly Come Dancing 2022 full list of professional dancers as four new pros join BBC series
- I'm A Celebrity 2022 details released as ITV officially confirms location
- When is Big Brother UK back? Start date, channel, presenter latest and applications
- When and where is winter Love Island? Fans don't have long to wait for series 9
