The start of this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing is fast approaching and so comes the inevitable trickle of celebrity contestant announcements.
Presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman the hit series sees famous faces take to the floor accompanied by a professional dancer, to perform dazzling routines in mainly ballroom and Latin styles.
A Saturday night staple, the BBC One dance competition has been appearing on screens since 2004.
Shirley, Craig, Motsi, Anton… We can’t wait to welcome back our fabulous #Strictly Judges for 2022! pic.twitter.com/uwbMquiuMA
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) May 19, 2022
Strictly contestants 2022
Here are Strictly Some Dancing contestants hoping to impress the judges and perhaps even leave with that coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Will Mellor
Welcome Will Mellor! Our very first celebrity of #Strictly 2022! 🪩
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 4, 2022
👉 https://t.co/JdoPt2TKJP @Mellor76 pic.twitter.com/zpREa5N9Le
Will Mellor was announced as the first contestant for Strictly 2022.
The 46-year-old, best known for playing Gaz in Noughties sitcom Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps, 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 for her as well. Bring it on!”
Kym Marsh
She's an actress, singer, presenter and now soon to be #Strictly dancer! Say hello to Kym Marsh 💃🏻
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 4, 2022
👉 https://t.co/uAHSYM3yO8 @msm4rsh pic.twitter.com/76D7WqyUU0
Former Hear’Say singer and Coronation Street star, Kym Marsh is Strictly contestant number two.
The 46-year-old said: “I am really looking forward to it. I am nervous – but I am really looking forward to it.”
Asked what style of dance she was most excited for, she said: “I am just very keen to learn. Watching it, I have done dancing before when I was a little girl and in Hear’Say but it was a very different style of dance.”
Richie Anderson
Swapping early mornings for Saturday nights, Richie Anderson joins our line-up! 🕺🏻
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 5, 2022
👉 https://t.co/fL7YA6QS8e @richie_anderson @BBCRadio2 #Strictly pic.twitter.com/EGGMdNjFsj
The third celebrity to be announced for this year's Strictly Come Dancing is BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show regular, Richie Anderson.
The 34-year-old said: “This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dancefloor 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.”
Kaye Adams
Ready to cut loose on the #Strictly dance floor. It's broadcaster and journalist Kaye Adams! 💃🏻
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 5, 2022
👉 https://t.co/OtXJfBTEYu pic.twitter.com/R7Sg53dfSV
Loose Women's Kaye Adams is the fourth person to be revealed as a Strictly 2022 contestant.
Talking about her reasons behind joining this year's Strictly cohort, the 59-year-old said: "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."
Adding: "Pray for me!"
Jayde Adams
From stand-up to #Strictly! Award-winning comedian Jayde Adams joins our class of 2022! 🪩
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 6, 2022
👉 https://t.co/NXzkyX1cPm @jaydeadams pic.twitter.com/K2w6lFHUd4
The fifth contestant to be taking to the Strictly dancefloor is stand-up comedian Jayde Adams.
Speaking about the challenge, 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.”
Ellie Simmonds
Here to make a splash on #Strictly. Gold medal winning Paralympian swimmer Ellie Simmonds joins our 2022 team! 🥇
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 7, 2022
👉 https://t.co/IjGUHuMu8b @EllieSimmonds1 pic.twitter.com/ER2S7IQSFL
Five-time Paralympic champion and broadcaster Ellie Simmonds has been announced as the sixth celebrity to join Strictly Come Dancing’s 2022 line-up.
Simmonds 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!
"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. 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.”
Tyler West
Meet Tyler West who's trading the @KissFMUK decks for the #Strictly dance floor! 🪩
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 8, 2022
👉 https://t.co/fyACtg4SOG @TylerWestt pic.twitter.com/1ICOEWJ9WA
Kiss radio host Tyler West has been announced as the seventh celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
After the news was announced on Kiss Breakfast with 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.”
Matt Goss
When will pop icon Matt Goss be on #Strictly? We can answer that... 2022!
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 8, 2022
👉 https://t.co/vMkiY3r9dn @mattgoss pic.twitter.com/593kh35W8n
Matt Goss has been revealed as the eighth contestant in the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line up.
Speaking about joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast, Matt Goss, of boy band BROS fame, said: “I’m extremely nervous and excited, but I’m optimistic because I’m very supple from the knees down.”
He added that he was encouraged to join the show now as he feels it is time for him to “come home”, saying: “I’ve been almost reclusive.
“I come in (to the country), I work and go back to America. I just thought ‘You know what, it’s time for me to come home, just do something completely out of my comfort zone’.
“I’m quite shy off stage. I just have to face all those demons and just learn.”
Ellie Taylor
From Mock The Week to The Mash Report to Ted Lasso, actress and comedian Ellie Taylor is ready to shine on #Strictly! ✨
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 9, 2022
👉 https://t.co/xKFbRYO4Be @EllieJaneTaylor pic.twitter.com/qS3sLcIXxC
Comedian Ellie Taylor has been revealed as the ninth contestant in the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line up.
Famous for her side-splitting routines on the BBC's The Mash Report, Dave's Late Night Mash and her appearances on panel shows such as 8 of 10 cats and Mock The Week.
Speaking about joining the Strictly Come Dancing cast, Ellie Taylor 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!"
She added: "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!"
Molly Rainford
Say hello to Molly Rainford, she's an intergalactic pop superstar from @CBBC and she's here to star on #Strictly! 💃
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 10, 2022
👉https://t.co/8IqHH6MDfH @mollyrainford pic.twitter.com/dBPcN42vJW
Molly Rainford will be taking to the dance floor this year having been abbounced as Strictly's 10th contestant.
You might recognise Molly from Britain’s Got Talent as she became a finalist of the show in 2012 at age 11.
Speaking about her dancing debut, the 21-year-old 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.”
Tony Adams
Joining our #Strictly squad in 2022 it's Arsenal and England football legend Tony Adams! ⚽️
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 10, 2022
👉 https://t.co/suncrZsXE0 @TonyAdams pic.twitter.com/MEarKMbcKo
Former England and Arsenal footballer Tony Adams is strictly contestant number 11.
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.”
Fleur East
She's heading in the direction of the #Strictly dance floor. Welcome pop star and presenter Fleur East! 🪩
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 11, 2022
👉 https://t.co/pBjlMqvfVl @FleurEast pic.twitter.com/YL8GmjFBKu
Singer and Hits Radio host Fleur East is the latest celebrity to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing.
The 34-year-old, who was on the second series of The X Factor in 2005 as part of girl group Addictiv Ladies, is the 12th confirmed name for the upcoming series.
She said: “For me, it is quite sentimental because my daddy passed away in 2020 and Strictly was his favourite show.
“When I was on The X Factor, in the breaks in the live studio, he used to check his phone for the Strictly updates because he was really annoyed that he couldn’t watch Strictly.
“I am going to be doing it for him. I am gutted that he can’t see me do it, to be honest. But I am just going to keep him in mind when I am doing the show.”
Hamza Yassin
From Countryfile to CBeebies, presenter Hamza Yassin is swapping the wilds of Scotland for the glitter of #Strictly! ✨
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 11, 2022
👉 https://t.co/8wVLr2gRha @HamzaYassin3 pic.twitter.com/CWefyIo3xp
Strictly Come Dancing’s thirteenth celebrity contestant has been confirmed as wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin.
Sudanese-born Scot Yassin is one of the hosts of the BBC’s Animal Park and a guest presenter on Countryfile.
After being announced on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show, 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.
“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!”
James Bye
Waltzing in from Walford @bbceastenders actor James Bye is now playing a leading role on #Strictly!
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 12, 2022
👉https://t.co/FHPxgLPMTx @jimmybye pic.twitter.com/TqplMOHyWS
Eastenders actor, James Bye has been announced as contestant number 14.
Best known for playing the role of Martin Fowler in the soap, after the Strictly anouncement, 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.”
Helen Skelton
Blue Peter, Countryfile and now... the #Strictly dance floor! Helen Skelton is ready to reach for the Glitterball 🪩
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 13, 2022
👉 https://t.co/ykpeDjZE2o @HelenSkelton pic.twitter.com/7q8RTCzo4E
Helen Skelton has been revealed as the 15th and final celebrity contestant to take part in Strictly Come Dancing this year.
Better known for appearances on both Blue Peter and Countryfile Skelton said: “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.”
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