STRICTLY COME DANCING: CELEBRITY-PROFESSIONAL PAIRINGS REVEALED

Strictly Come Dancing returned to screens this September, marking the 21st series of the nation’s favourite dancing show.

Made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions, the multi award-winning series promises to entertain the nation once again, with presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman back in the ballroom to oversee proceedings each weekend as a host of brand new celebrity contestants take to the floor in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

THE CELEBRITY-PROFESSIONAL PAIRINGS

BOBBY BRAZIER & Dianne Buswell

ZARA McDERMOTT & Graziano Di Prima

EDDIE KADI & Karen Hauer

NIGEL HARMAN & Katya Jones

LAYTON WILLIAMS & Nikita Kuzmin

NIKITA KANDA & Gorka Marquez

ADAM THOMAS & Luba Mushtuk

AMANDA ABBINGTON & Giovanni Pernice

JODY CUNDY & Jowita Przystal

ANNABEL CROFT & Johannes Radebe

ANGELA RIPPON & Kai Widdrington

LES DENNIS & Nancy Xu

ANGELA SCANLON & Carlos Gu

KRISHNAN GURU-MURTHY & Lauren Oakley

ELLIE LEACH & Vito Coppola

THE STRICTLY STARS OF 2023

Amanda Abbington

Actor

Amanda 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!”

Angela Rippon

Broadcaster

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!!”

Layton Williams

Performer

Layton 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!"

Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Journalist

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.”

Eddie Kadi

<