TIME TO TANGO
Strictly Come Dancing 2023 cast: Who is in the line-up of the BBC show so far?
STRICTLY Come Dancing fever is already upon us, and is set to last until the winter.
The BBC One show always brings with it an incredible line-up of stars all hoping to clinch the Glitterball trophy.
Who is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 cast?
Les Dennis
15
Popular gameshow host and actor Les Dennis is taking part in Strictly 2023.
The entertainer was first asked to take part in the contest when he starred in Coronation Street between 2014 and 2016, but was forced to turn it down because of his role on the soap.
But away from the soap he has a rich and varied CV, including stints in panto, so bosses think he could become a firm favourite with viewers.
The Sun were the first to exclusively reveal that Les had signed up to the show.
Read more on Strictly
Angela Rippon
15
New anchor legend and is the oldest ever contestant to take to the dancefloor.
She 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."
Angela added: "But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango!!”
Most read in Reality
The Sun exclusively revealed how Angela was in advanced talks with Strictly bosses to take part in the 2023 series.
Angela has plenty of dance form having hosted the previous incarnation of the BBC show between 1988 and 1991, then returning in 1998 before it ended.
And in 1976 she stunned 27million viewers of Morecambe and Wise’s Christmas special when she emerged from her newsreader’s desk to perform a high-kicking dance routine.
Amanda Abbington
15
Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington was actually the first star to be officially announced for Strictly Come Dancing 2023.
The actress appeared on The One Show to confirm the news, just months after we exclusively revealed she was in talks with show bosses.
She 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!”
Amanda split with 51-year-old actor Martin Freeman — father of her two children — in 2016.
Layton Williams
15
Musical theatre star Layton Williams is taking part in Strictly 2023.
He 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!"
Layton is best known as a stage and screen actor and has performed in London’s West End.
His impressive credits include the title role in Billy Elliot and Everyone’s Talking About Jamie.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
15
Channel 4 news anchor Krishnan Guru-Murthy is swapping the news room for the Strictly dancefloor.
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."
Since joining the Channel 4 News team in 1998 Krishnan has covered major events from the Omagh bombing to the 911 attacks and from the Arab Spring to the Ukraine War.
Eddie Kadi
15
Stand-up comedian and Radio One Extra presenter Eddie Kadi is also one of the stars taking part.
He told his listeners during the show: "We have a very special annoucement, so stick around."
Eddie then revealed: "I've got some news for you guys, I haven't shared it with anyone else as I thought it was right I shared it with you.
"It seems my weekly dance moves in the studio and on stages across the world have finally been recognised.
"I'm about to take on the big one..."
Angela Scanlon
15
Popular presenter Angela Scanlon was the sixth celebrity to be announced.
The Irish TV presenter is a reporter on The One Show and fronts the makeover series Your Home Made Perfect.
Angela was announced on Zoe Ball Breakfast Show on Radio 2.
Joking that she was terrible at keeping secrets, she explained: "I've only told 1,700 of my closest friends".
Angela added: "I'm terrified, I'm excited and I have so many questions.
"Will they make me tan?"
Zara McDermott
15
Zara McDermott has made history as the first ever Love Island star to sign up to Strictly Come Dancing.
The BBC documentary-maker is hitting pause on her presenting career to take to the dancefloor.
Zara admitted on BBC Radio One that she's preparing to push herself out of comfort zone, having had "zero" dance experience.
"Strictly is such a far cry from my day job," she said.
"I've spent the last three years making documentaries in a very small team, but Strictly is live. You cannot make a mistake, you have 'one take' only."
Adam Thomas
15
TV star Adam Thomas is excited that he is part of the famous show.
Speaking about taking part, he 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!"
The actor made his breakthrough on ITV’s Emmerdale as Adam Barton, and finished third in 2016’s I’m A Celebrity.
Adam's twin brother is Love Island star Scott and their brother Ryan was in Coronation Street.
Nikita Kanda
15
BBC Asian Network's Breakfast Show host Nikita Kanda said she "can't believe" she will be starring on the BBC One dancing competition, having grown up watching the flagship show.
Announcing the news on her radio show, she said: "I'm literally shaking, I can't believe this. I've grown up watching this show every single year glued to the TV like many of you at home.
"This has been the biggest secret ever, it's been so hard to keep this in and today I feel relieved, I've finally let this out and sharing this moment with you.
"I just can't wait for the glitz, the glamour, the hair, the makeup, the outfits, and even to meet those judges.
"Who would have thought all those years of me raving it up on the dance floor, at those weddings and those nights out and parties, those moves are making it to the Strictly ballroom stage on BBC One."
Ellie Leach
15
Coronation Street star Ellie Leach is also part of the line-up, and is thrilled to be on the show.
She said: “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.”
Ellie is best known for playing Corrie's Faye Windass for 12 years.
She has been nominated for multiple British Soap Awards and Inside Soap Awards for hard-hitting storylines including being pregnant at 13, discovering she was going through the menopause and reconnecting with the child she gave up, which led to her departing the cobbles earlier this year.
Prior to Coronation Street, Ellie appeared in independent movie A Boy Called Dad and drama Moving On.
Jody Cundy CBE
15
Jody Cundy is a decorated World and Paralympic Champion.
Speaking to Radio 5 Live he said:: "I've spent my life in Lycra so that bit doesn't scare me, it's the dancing that scares me."
The sports star added: “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!”
Bobby Brazier
15
EastEnders' Freddie Slater actor Bobby Brazier said of joining the show: “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!”
The son of Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier is also a successful model having worked with Dolce & Gabbana before joining Enders.
Nigel Harman
15
Casualty's Nigel Harman is swapping acting for dancing as he joins the Strictly Come Dancing cast.
He appeared on Lorraine to announce his next exciting project where he said: "As the days have crept up to this moment I've been going what have I done? I'm excited to be out and proud now.
"I've just stepped onto a rollercoaster. I think I'm realising as time goes on I think I'm a better dancer than my body is telling me."
Nigel is also known for being in Downton Abbey and playing Dennis Rickman in EastEnders from 2003 to 2005.
Annabel Croft
15
Annabel Croft is hanging up her tennis racket and putting on her dancing shoes.
The former tennis pro is the latest star to be revealed to be taking part in Strictly.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
The news was announced on the Virgin Radio Breakfast Show with Ricky Wilson when Annabel said: "I am beyond excited. I've always loved this magical, magical show."
She added: "I'm also a bit terrified at the same time!"
Topics