Machibet777 AffiliateTV industry baffled by Strictly Come Dancing's underwhelming line-up of barely-known celebrities from Charles Venn to Joe Sugg | The Sun - Mcb777 Login

SOAP actor Charles Venn is the final addition to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up – capping off a disappointing mix packed with little-known celebrities.

The 45-year-old currently plays nurse Jacob Masters in Casualty, completing a cast of stars which also includes Capital FM radio sidekick Vick Hope, Paralympian Lauren Steadman and YouTuber Joe Sugg.

Casualty actor Charles Venn is the final addition to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-upCredit: BBC

Capital FM radio sidekick Vick Hope has been confirmed for the BBC showCredit: PA:Press Association

Paralympian Lauren Steadman joins the disappointing list of little-known celebsCredit: Getty Images - Getty

YouTuber Joe Sugg has also signed up for this year's StrictlyCredit: Rex Features

New booker Stefania Aleksander hired the underwhelming set of celebs

The underwhelming set of celebs was hired by new booker Stefania Aleksander who was brought in to improve the bookings for Britain’s most popular entertainment show.

She previously worked on reality shows including The Jump, Costa del Celebrity and Five Star Hotel, and had boasted to industry colleagues of the incredible list of talent set to be unveiled.

But one top showbiz agent yesterday revealed many TV insiders are “stunned” by the outcome, adding: “It is literally the talk of the business at the moment, nobody can believe it.

“It’s the biggest show on telly, but so many of the names involved this time around are virtually unheard of.

Susannah Constantine and Charles Venn excited to participate on Strictly Come Dancing

Steps singer Faye Tozer who has been unveiled as one of this year's Strictly Come Dancing contestantsCredit: PA:Press Association

Blue's Lee Ryan was announced as the 12th celebrity contestant on the new seriesCredit: PA:Press Association

Danny John Jules, who plays the Cat in Red Dwarf has signed up for StrictlyCredit: Handout

BBC documentary maker Stacey Dooley MBE hit back after critics questioned her place on the showCredit: Getty - Contributor

Pussycat Doll singer Ashley Roberts appeared on other reality shows before StrictlyCredit: PA:Press Association

“It’s like everyone has been put off by the fear that it might destroy their relationship.”

Other names in the line-up include Steps singer Faye Tozer, Blue’s Lee Ryan, actor Danny John Jules and documentary maker Stacey Dooley MBE. Stefania and producers this year introduced a “reality star ban” after The Only Way Is Essex favourite Gemma Collins demanded a spot on the show.

Bosses were infuriated by minor celebrities gossiping and claiming they had been approached to enter the show but the ban has not prevented stars who have appeared on previous reality shows from being signed up – including Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and stylist Susannah Constantine who both took part in I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!

BBC newsreader Kate Silverton, TV presenter Katie Piper, cricketer Graeme Swann and This Morning medic Dr Ranj Singh complete the line-up ahead of next week’s launch.