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Strictly Come Dancing is back in action once again as contestants for this year’s series have begun to be announced.
The family-favorite primetime show is currently embroiled in controversy over how professional dancers teach celebrities, with multiple allegations of harassment and abusive behavior emerging.
But that hasn’t stopped bosses from pressing ahead with the show’s final season, which will mark Strictly’s 20 years on air.
Chris McCausland was the first celebrity confirmed and was quickly followed by the likes of JB Gill and Toyah Wilcox.
As Strictly prepares for its return, MailOnline looks at the celebrities who have been confirmed so far.
Chris McCausland
Blind comedian Chris McCausland was the first celebrity contestant in the 2024 series to be blindfolded, appearing on This Morning on Monday to announce the news.
Blind comedian Chris McCausland was the first celebrity contestant in the 2024 series to be blindfolded, appearing on This Morning on Monday to announce the news.
The signing is the first time the dance competition has been held, with deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis previously taking part, winning the Glitterball trophy alongside Giovanni Pearce in 2021.
CBeebies comedian and actor Chris, 46, lost his sight at the age of 22 due to a hereditary condition, retinitis pigmentosa.
Chris has previously spoken out about the portrayal of blind people in the media, telling The Observer: “I think the best way to represent a disability is to make people forget about it whenever possible. It’s always a part of you.
“People get interested, you let them in and you laugh about it. But if you can make a show where, say, 80% of it isn’t about blindness, that makes it more impactful and fun when you talk about it. I believe in representation within the mainstream.”
JB Gill
Later on This Morning, JLS star JB Gill was the second celebrity confirmed.
Later on This Morning, JLS star JB Gill was the second celebrity confirmed.
The singer first rose to fame on the fifth series of The X Factor, where he finished as runner-up alongside the other members of JLS.
The group released four albums before going their separate ways in 2013; at the time each member was thought to be worth £6m.
JB follows in the footsteps of bandmate Aston Merrygold, who was eliminated in tenth place during the 2017 series.
The star also has a history with Strictly, winning the BBC One dance show’s Christmas special in 2012, performing the Jive with Ola Jordan.
SSpeaking about signing up for the new series, she said: “I did the Christmas special. It was great fun!”
“It was the closest dance to what I did in JLS. A lot of the ballroom dance styles are very foreign to me; I didn’t do those dances as a child. I’m not a professional dancer.”
Away from his music career, JB is married to dancer Chloe Tangney and is the father of son Ace and daughter Chiara.
Dr. Punam Krishan
Punam Krishnan is an NHS GP and one of the resident doctors on BBC’s Morning Live.
Punam Krishnan is an NHS GP and one of the resident doctors on BBC’s Morning Live.
Based in Scotland, she regularly covers health issues for television programmes and newspapers and has also written a children’s book.
Punam told Vernon about joining Strictly: ‘This still doesn’t feel real, I’m just happy to be a contestant on this year’s show.’
“I’ve watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels even more special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe it’s now me taking over on Strictly. This is so out of my comfort zone but I’m up for the ride and I’ll give it my best shot.”
“This is surreal. The kids and I sat down to watch it and now I’m jumping from the couch to the TV. I don’t know what the kids are thinking, but I’m sure they’ll be watching and I don’t know how this could happen to someone like me.”
Punam told Vernon Kay about joining Strictly: ‘This still doesn’t feel real, I’m so happy to be a contestant on this year’s show’
She is hoping to gain advice from her Morning Live colleagues Helen Skelton and Kym Marsh, who have both competed on Strictly before.
‘People at Morning Live don’t know this until now, but I’m very lucky and Helen Skelton and Kim Marsh have made it and they’re working mums and I want to know how they did it and showed up and shined with everything else.’
She said what she is looking forward to most is the Pasodoble, saying: “It’s drama, it’s sexy and I think yes, it will be a challenge, but it’s what I look forward to seeing every year.”
“It’s a heart-stopping moment for my 20th anniversary and as a fan I’m so grateful for the opportunity.”
Wynne Evans
Wynne is best known for his operatic talents. Over the course of his 25-year career, he has had two number-one classical albums.
Wynne is best known for his operatic talents. Over the course of his 25-year career, he has had two number-one classical albums, has conducted most of the world’s major opera houses and has given more than 200 performances at London’s Royal Albert Hall.
Wynne told Vernon Kay on BBC Radio 2: “I couldn’t believe it because it’s like a mystery game. You get a code name, you audition and you meet the celebrities and that’s my favourite thing.”
“Waltz, the classical ballroom dance, is what I’m looking forward to. I’ve done a lot of opera and I think it would suit me well.”
“What I’m nervous about is stuff that involves jumping, I don’t want to jive, it makes me a bit nervous, but I’m taking inspiration from Bill Bailey. I’m going to go for it.”
“I move around the house with more ease, I’ve bought dance shoes, ballet slippers, new gym equipment, a handbag, a pencil case and a notepad to take notes. I love the glitz and glamour.”
‘I’ve been in these adverts that have been in everyone’s heads and now the Strictly tune is in my head.’
Wynne currently has a daily radio show on BBC Radio Wales and previously had radio shows on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.
He told Strictly: ‘Honestly, I’m still pinching myself, a portly, bald opera singer, me, taking part in Strictly Come Dancing!’
“I’m not entirely sure how I’ll cope. If all else fails, I’ll have to learn the art of distraction. What I do know is that I’ll do my best and try to make Wales proud.”
“I’ll definitely be trying to combine my love of opera into one of my routines. Plus, after winning Celebrity MasterChef last year, maybe the way to the judges’ hearts is through their stomachs!”
Toyah Wilcox
Toyah has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty-five albums, written two books and appeared in over forty plays.
Toyah has amassed thirteen top 40 singles, recorded twenty-five albums, written two books, appeared in over forty plays, acted in over twenty feature films and hosted numerous television shows.
He fronted the eponymous band Toyah before branching out as a solo artist in the mid-1980s.
In 2018, Paul McCartney presented Toyah with the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Companionship Award for outstanding achievement in music, theatre, performance and media.
Toyah appeared in the Radio 2 studio with Vernon and admitted she was looking forward to revealing the news, especially after performing at Glastonbury in June, and said the show will cap off what has been an incredible year for her.
“I’ve been to a lot of festivals and Glastonbury and I wanted to say ‘guess what?'”
I played on the Avalon stage and kept denying I was doing Strictly. I wanted to say to people, “Do you like my moves?”
“I’m so excited and I love this show. Being a part of it, the spray tan and the glow. It’s a landmark year for me. I came in as a retiree, went to Glasto and now I’m spray tanning.”
And Toyah is equally excited to be working with Wynne, whom she told Vernon she has known for more than 30 years.
As for which dances she is looking forward to, she confessed that ‘the ones I like the most are the ones I like.’What I’m most looking forward to is that it’s a little bit ambitious for me, but Salsa Cha Cha Cha.’