12 August 2023 , 21:56
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Strictly Come Dancing's celebrities were reportedly given ice cream flavours as code names to keep their identities secret ahead of their big reveals. The hit BBC One dance show's 2023 line-up was confirmed earlier this week with the likes of Les Dennis, Zara McDermott and Angela Rippon making up the 15 celebrities.
It has now been claimed that the stars were each given an ice cream flavour as a code name when they first signed up to Strictly in order to keep the line-up, as well as their identity, a secret. According to reports, Les, 69, was "rum and raisin", Nigel Harman was "mango", Adam Thomas was "rocky road" and Krishnan Guru-Murthy was "tutti frutti".
Strictly Come Dancing's celebrities were reportedly given ice cream flavours as code names to keep their identities secret (PA)Other codenames apparently saw Angela, 78, as "cookies and cream", Zara, 26, as "strawberry", EastEnders star Bobby Brazier as "matcha", Ellie Leach as "bubblegum", Annabel Croft as "honeycomb", Amanda Abbington as "raspberry ripple", Eddie Kadi as "pistachio", Angela Scanlon as "cherry", Jody Cundy as "coconut", Nikita Kanda as "mint choc chip" and Layton Williams as "Neapolitan".
A source told Daily Star: "The celebs were all given code names to keep everything top secret. Execs decided to make them all ice cream flavours as a bit of fun. Everyone loved it. They’ve had Les Dennis answering to rum and raisin. He’s been in showbiz for years, but that was definitely a first!" The Mirror has contacted BBC for comment.
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Strictly Come Dancing will be lighting up Saturday nights very shortly as the 15 confirmed 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.
It comes as the cohort of Strictly Come Dancing 2023 stars are finally in the dance studio as they begin practicing their moves ahead of the new series kicking off. The stars arrived in London with beaming smiles on their faces, their comfy workout gear on, and suitcases in tow.
Zara - who plans to be the "sexiest ever contestant" with bold looks - looked effortlessly beautiful as she rocked up to rehearsals in a tiny pair of shorts and trainers. While other stars, including tennis star Annabel and Coronation Street star Ellie, were also seen in London too.