Meet the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 stars - TV legends to soap icons
Strictly Come Dancing will be lighting up Saturday nights very shortly as 15 celebrities take to the dance floor to show off their moves for a brand new series.
Last year, Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal lifted the Glitterball Trophy after wowing viewers and the judges week after week. Next month, a newsreader, Love Island star and Coronation Street actor, among others, will pair up with their professional partners before taking to the dance floor for the first time.
And fans won't have very long to wait as the launch date is set for Saturday 23rd September, so this year's celebrity contestants will need to get a move on in learning all their steps!
All of the celebrity contestants for this year's series have now been revealed and the BBC have confirmed an impressive line-up of famous faces. Here is everything you need to know about the 2023 line-up.
Les Dennis
Les Dennis (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Les Dennis was revealed as the final contestant on Friday's Good Morning Britain.
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Les, 69, started his career as a comedian on the Working Men’s Club circuit in and around his native Liverpool. He got his big break on TV Talent show New Faces, and went on to star in sketch and variety show The Laughter Show, forming a double-act with the late Dustin Gee.
He hosted Family Fortunes for 16 years and his TV career includes roles in Extras, Brookside, Death in Paradise and Midsomer Murders and two years in Coronation Street. The TV legend 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
Annabel Croft (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Annabel Croft, who at 15 years old was the youngest British player to compete at Wimbledon for 95 years, is the fourteenth celebrity confirmed for this year's Strictly line-up.
The former British Number One tennis player, 57, revealed the news on Virgin Radio's Breakfast show on Thursday. Addressing taking to the dance floor, she said: “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
Nigel Harman (BBC/Kieron McCarron)Former EastEnders heartthrob Nigel Harman, who starred as Dennis Rickman on the BBC soap, will be testing out his dance moves later this year.
The actor, 50, now stars in Casualty and has previously appeared in Downtown Abbey and in Londons's West End. Speaking about his stint on the show, he 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!"
Bobby Brazier
Bobby Brazier (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Bobby was the twelfth celebrity contestant confirmed for this year's series with the 20-year-old model and actor read to bring his energy and sparkle to the dance floor.
The BBC soap star, best known for his role as Freddie Slater in EastEnders has also has graced the runway Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week and sat front row alongside Lewis Hamilton at London Fashion Week. He regularly shares updates on his spiritual side and is a passionate advocate for positive mental health and well-being.
After the news was revealed on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday, he 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!”
Jody Cundy CBE
Jody Cundy (BBC/Ray Burmiston)World and Paralympic Champion Jody Cundy was confirmed as a contestant on Wednesday's BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast show.
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He has represented Great Britain at seven Summer Paralympics winning eight Gold, one Silver and three Bronze medals across swimming and cycling events. Jody has also competed in multiple World Championships, winning 23 world titles.
On joining the line-up, 44-year-old Jody said: “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!”
Ellie Leach
Ellie Leach (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Coronation Street star Ellie Leach is swapping the cobbles for the Strictly dance floor after portraying Faye Windass for 12 years on the ITV soap.
The soap star, 22, has tackled several hard hitting storylines included being pregnant at 13, discovering she was going through the menopause and reconnecting with the child she gave up. Ellie, who was confirmed as a contestant on Wednesday's BBC Breakfast, remarked: “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!!!!”
Nikita Kanda
Nikita Kanda (BBC/Ray Burmiston)BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast show presenter Nikita Kanda announced her addition to the line-up on her radio show on Tuesday.
Nikita, 28, has interviewed everyone from Killing Eve star Sandra Oh, Bridgerton actors Kate Sharma and Charithra Chandran, to Marvel actress Awkwafina and global pop star Nick Jonas. She said: “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!”
Adam Thomas
Adam Thomas (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Adam Thomas was the eight celebrity confirmed on The Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Fleur East, James & Matt on Tuesday.
The actor is best known for playing Adam Barton in ITV soap Emmerdale, in which he won a TV Choice award for Best Soap Newcomer and more recently, he reprised his role as Donte Charles in BBC's Waterloo Road.
On taking to the dance floor, the 35-year-old said: "I am so excited to be joining the cast of this years' Strictly Come Dancing. I've been such a big fan of the show for years, I can't believe I'm actually doing it! 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!"
Zara McDermott
Zara McDermott (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Zara McDermott makes history as the first Love Island star to sign up to Strictly. The former Islander was a government policy advisor, working for the Department of Energy and Climate Change and Department of Education before appearing on the ITV dating show in 2018.
Since her time in the villa Zara, 26, has fronted several BBC documentaries which include Revenge Porn, Uncovering Rape Culture, Disordered Eating, and Gaia: A Death on Dancing Ledge. Zara commented: “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. We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life. I even remember the first ever series, and being mesmerised by all the beautiful dresses! I can’t wait to throw myself into this experience and start training. It’s going to be incredible.”
The news was revealed on Monday afternoon on Going Home with Vick and Jordan on BBC Radio 1.
Angela Scanlon
Angela Scanlon (BBC/Ray Burmiston)TV presenter Angela Scanlon was the sixth celebrity to be confirmed for the 2023 series. The Irish presenter, 39, who is the only woman in the UK and Ireland to have their own Saturday night chat show with Ask Me Anything on RTÉ One, was revealed as a contestant on Monday's BBC Radio 2 Breakfast show.
Admitting she was "terrified" Angela 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
Eddie Kadi (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Eddie Kadi became the fifth celebrity to be confirmed on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi, on BBC Radio1Xtra on Sunday. The British-Congolese comedian, 40, was the first British black comedian to headline the O2 Arena in London and has hosted the MOBO Awards and numerous red carpets.
On the news, Eddie 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 Guru-Murthy (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Channel 4 News anchor and award-winning journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy said he was 'surprised and confused' to be on the Strictly line-up for 2023 as his name was announced this year.
Breaking the news on host Claudia Winkleman's Radio 2 Breakfast Show, 53-year-old Krishnan 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
Layton Williams (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Layton Williams was the third celebrity to be announced for this year's line-up on last Friday's The One Show. He is best known as a stage and screen actor and has performed in London’s West End, giving performances as the title role in Billy Elliot and Everyone’s Talking About Jamie.
On joining the line-up, Layton, 28, 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!"
Angela Rippon
Angela Rippon (BBC/Kieron McCarron)Angela Rippon, who will be 79 when she takes to the dance floor later this year, was the second celebrity to be revealed during The One Show last Friday.
Angela’s career spans over 50 years, having presented a wide variety of programmes from hard news and current affairs, to quiz shows and magazine programmes for broadcasters across the world.
Speaking after her stint on Strictly was confirmed, Angela 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
Amanda Abbington (BBC/Ray Burmiston)Sherlock star Amnda Abbington was the first celebrity to be announced for this year's Strictly. The actress, 49, has starred in Mr Selfridge, Wolfe, and Desperate Measures as well as in various plays in well renowned theatres across the country.
Amanda Abbington said: “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!”
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