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'Strictly Come Dancing' 2018 line-up: Susannah Constantine announced

(BBC Pictures)
(BBC Pictures)

Strictly Come Dancing, the hugely popular celebrity BBC dance competition show, is set to return for its 16th series this autumn.

The complete line-up for 2018 has just been confirmed, scan below to see who made it onto this year’s show…

Susannah Constantine confirmed as 15th Strictly contestant

Susannah Constantine joins Strictly (ITV Pictures).
Susannah Constantine joins Strictly (ITV Pictures).

Susannah Constantine has been confirmed as the final and 15th Strictly Come Dancing contestant this year. 56-year-old Constantine shot to fame back in 2001 when she co-starred with Trinny Woodall on the hit BBC series What Not to Wear. They also frequently appeared as makeover stylists on The Oprah Winfrey show. It is estimated that Trinny & Susannah’s various style advice books have sold in excess of 2.5 million copies in Britain and the United States.

Constantine said on joining Strictly: “I hope to prove pigs can fly (dance). Sick with nerves and jangling with excitement.”

Charles Venn confirmed as 14th Strictly contestant

Charles Venn joins Strictly (PA Images).
Charles Venn joins Strictly (PA Images).

Charles Venn is the 14th confirmed 2018 Strictly Come Dancing contestant. 45-year-old Venn is an actor, known for his roles as Ray Dixon in EastEnders, Jacob Masters in Casualty and Curtis Alexander in Dream Team.

Venn said he’s excited for the challenge of Strictly: “It truly is a pleasure to be a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, to be associated with a show that has such a huge following excites and scares me in equal measure!

Dancing on Strictly is going to be quite a challenge but life’s all about testing yourself so there’s lots to look forward to, let the games begin..!”

Lauren Steadman confirmed as 13th Strictly contestant

Lauren Steadman joins Strictly (PA Images).
Lauren Steadman joins Strictly (PA Images).

Lauren Steadman has been announced as the 13th contestant of Strictly Come Dancing 2018. 25-year-old Steadman is a double World Champion Paratriathlete, Paralympic Silver medallist and six times European Champion.

Steadman said while she’s very nervous, appearing on Strictly is one to tick off her bucket list: “I still don’t think it has properly sunk in that I’m actually going to be part of this year’s Strictly! I have loved the show since I was young, and it’s a huge thing to tick off my bucket list.

I’m more nervous about being on stage, performing live and in front of the judges than I am about the Elite Paratriathlon Grand Final next month! But I’m up for the challenge and excited to swap my triathlon kit for dancing shoes and sequins.”

Lee Ryan confirmed as 12th Strictly contestant

Former boy band star turned actor Lee Ryan has been announced as the 12th contestant of Strictly Come Dancing 2018. The 35-year-old is best known as one quarter of the pop group Blue who split in 2005. The band later reformed and released their 5th studio album in 2015. More recently, Ryan joined the cast of EastEnders playing Woody. He played the role for just over a year and went on to receive the 2017 Inside Soap Award nomination for Best Newcomer.

Ryan said about joining Strictly: “I’m so excited to be joining this year’s Strictly line-up. It is a real honour for me and I can’t wait to get out on the dance floor.”

Seann Walsh confirmed as 11th Strictly contestant

Comedian Seann Walsh (PA Images).
Comedian Seann Walsh (PA Images).

Stand-up comedian and actor Seann Walsh is the 11th confirmed Strictly contestant. 32-year-old Walsh is perhaps best known for co-starring in Jack Dee’s ITV comedy series Bad Move, which second series will air this autumn. He also just returned from a successful American comedy tour, which included a stand-up spot on late night talk show Conan.

Walsh says he’s both ‘petrified’ and ‘excited’ to be joining Strictly: “Having seen videos of me dancing on friends’ phones from the night before, it’s safe to say I’m petrified but also so excited. I’m really looking forward to the lifts, the Lycra and the laughs, although as Craig would probably say ‘dancing is no laughing matter dahhhhling,” he said.

Kate Silverton confirmed as 10th Strictly contestant

BBC journalist Kate Silverton joins Strictly (PA Images).
BBC journalist Kate Silverton joins Strictly (PA Images).

Kate Silverton is a revered journalist, who currently serves as a main anchor for BBC News across the One, Six and Ten o’clock programmes. 48-year-old Silverton has reported from the front line of both Afghanistan and Iraq.

She confirmed her joining of this year’s Strictly with: “I’m excited to confirm that I will be swapping the newsroom for the ballroom and joining this year’s wonderful Strictly family.

It’s something of a departure for a news journalist, shifting focus from the headlines to my hemlines and I suspect the only serious element of my life over the coming months will be in training hard and figuring out the foxtrot… but I am so looking forward to the fun, laughter and all the challenges ahead.”

Ashley Roberts confirmed as 9th Strictly contestant

Ashley Roberts is the 9th confirmed Strictly star. (PA Images)
Ashley Roberts is the 9th confirmed Strictly star. (PA Images)

36-year-old former Pussycat Dolls band member Ashley Roberts is this year’s 9th confirmed Strictly Come Dancing contestant. Announced early Friday August 17, Roberts said: “I am beyond excited and grateful to be part of the Strictly family! I’m going to put my heart and soul into this new adventure and can’t wait to have fun with the team! Bring on the sequins, glitz and glamour!”

The American singer, actress and TV presenter has made quite a name for herself in the UK since she left the popular girl band Pussycat Dolls in 2010. She’s presented along with Ant & Dec in Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway, served as a judge on Dancing on Ice and even competed on I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! in 2012.

Stacey Dooley confirmed as 8th Strictly contestant

Journalist and documentary maker Stacey Dooley. (REX/Shutterstock)
Journalist and documentary maker Stacey Dooley. (REX/Shutterstock)

Investigative journalist and documentary maker Stacey Dooley has been announced as Strictly’s 8th contestant. 31-year-old Dooley was awarded an MBE for her broadcasted services and her past documentaries have included Russia’s War on Women, Face to Face with ISIS and Young Sex for Sale in Japan.

Dooley revealed on her Instagram: “It’s happening! I’m taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year and my mother is going to explode. 2018 has already been such an incredible year for me, I’ve done some amazing things and I’m excited to add ‘becoming a dancing GENIUS’ to the list!

Typically, work for me is very serious and can be quite hard core so I’m going to soak up the escapism and bathe in the sequins. See you on the dancefloor!”

Dr Ranj Singh confirmed as 7th Strictly contestant

Dr Ranj Singh joins 2018 the Strictly line-up. (PA Images)
Dr Ranj Singh joins 2018 the Strictly line-up. (PA Images)

Dr Ranj Singh is the latest celebrity to sign up for Strictly. The ITV This Morning’s resident doctor and CBeebies presenter was announced as Strictly’s 7th contestant midday Thursday August 16.

In addition to his television presenting gigs, 39-year-old Singh is an NHS doctor and member of Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.

He revealed today that he’s already hit the gym hard in anticipation of competing in the show: “I’m so sore at the moment, I’ve been going to the gym to try and get fitter and everything hurts,” he said.

“My friends would describe me as a cross between dad dancing and go-go dancing. I do like to dance, I do it for fun, I’ve never had any training or anything. I’m super excited. I really want to learn how to dance properly,” he added.

Graeme Swann confirmed as 6th Strictly contestant

Graeme Swann retired from cricket in 2013.
Graeme Swann retired from cricket in 2013.

Retired cricketer Graeme Swann has been announced Wednesday evening, August 15, as the sixth celebrity to join this year’s Strictly line-up. The 39-year-old ex-England bowler retired from cricket in 2013 and has since served as a cricket analyst for BBC’s Test Match Special.

Swann says he’s never been formally taught to dance but believes he has a natural sense of rhythm: “I can dance a bit, natural rhythm. I can Floss, oh I can Floss!”

However he said he’s most concerned about the possibility of waxing his chest: “There’s one thing I’m really worried about — waxing my chest. It gives me clammy palms just thinking about it. It’s going to be horrific! It takes me two days to get a plaster off,” he said.

Vick Hope confirmed as 5th Strictly contestant

Vick Hope is a Capital FM DJ.
Vick Hope is a Capital FM DJ.

28-year-old Capital FM DJ Vick Hope was announced early Wednesday Morning August 15 as the fifth Strictly Come Dancing contestant.

She told her Capital FM co-host Roman Kemp: “I can tell you that every Saturday night I get to be close to Faye from Steps… I’m doing Strictly!

It’s really surreal. I cannot pretend I’m a celebrity like some of the others with their level of following and experience, but what an opportunity.

I’m a fan of the show so I feel very very honoured to be part of it. I love dancing. I promise you I’m going to work so hard. I’m so excited,” Hope said.

Joe Sugg confirmed as 4th Strictly contestant

Joe Sugg confirmed as Strictlly’s 4th contestant (REX/Shutterstock).
Joe Sugg confirmed as Strictlly’s 4th contestant (REX/Shutterstock).

Joe Sugg is a 26-year-old YouTube sensation and brother of fellow YouTuber Zoella. His YouTube account ‘ThatcherJoe‘ currently boasts over 8.2 million subscribers and Sugg seems to vlog about just about everything and anything – from Love Island to pranking friends to dating.

Sugg admits he’s not that knowledgeable about dance and is a ‘very nervous’ about taking part in the competition. “My knowledge of dance isn’t the best, so I’m just going to go into it completely open-minded,” he said.

BBC announced Sugg joining Strictly early Tuesday August 14 morning, with the Twitter post:

BBC Press Office Joe Suggs announcement
BBC Press Office Joe Suggs announcement

Danny John-Jules announced as the third Strictly contestant

Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules announced as the third Strictly contestant (PA Images).
Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules announced as the third Strictly contestant (PA Images).

Actor Danny John-Jules is perhaps best known for playing ‘the Cat’ in Red Dwarf and policeman Dwayne Myers in Death in Paradise and was announced as the third Strictly contestant on Monday evening August 13.

John-Jules said: “Having spent the last few months on two wheels motorcycling around South America in pink leathers, I’m absolutely delighted to be getting back on two feet and into something more comfortable like glittery spandex.”

BBC Press Office released the official announcement.
BBC Press Office released the official announcement.

Faye Tozer confirmed as second Strictly contestant

Steps bandmember Faye Tozer announced for Strictly.
Steps bandmember Faye Tozer announced for Strictly.

Faye Tozer was confirmed Monday August 13 evening as the second Strictly contestant. 42-year-old Tozer is one of the original members of pop band Steps, who formed in 1997. Tozer said: “I am all about the costumes, the huge hair, the make up, the themed nights.

I don’t have any ballroom experience, so I am excited to get my teeth in to that,” she added.

Katie Piper confirmed as first Strictly contestant

Strictly Come Dancing 2018: Katie Piper confirmed as the first celebrity for this year’s series
Strictly Come Dancing 2018: Katie Piper confirmed as the first celebrity for this year’s series

34-year-old former model and TV presenter Katie Piper has been revealed as the first Strictly contestant this year. Piper made the announcement early Monday August 13 on BBC Breakfast.

She confessed she already has her eye on a Strictly dance partner – Giovanni Pernice. She also confirmed her place on the show via BBC Press Office’s Twitter account stating: “I feel so privileged and excited to be part of my favourite show on TV.

“I already know how much of an amazing experience it will be for me and I can’t wait to show some of my girls some of my new dance moves.

“I’m nervous to put on my dancing shoes but can’t wait to learn a new skill and have the Strictly tan and makeover!”

Katie Piper announced as first Strictly contestant via BBC Press Office’s Twitter.
Katie Piper announced as first Strictly contestant via BBC Press Office’s Twitter.

Rumoured Strictly contestants

Scarlett Moffatt drops massive Strictly hint?

Will Scarlett Moffatt join Strictly Come Dancing?
Will Scarlett Moffatt join Strictly Come Dancing?

The Gogglebox break-out star just dropped a major hint that she’s about to hit the Strictly dance-floor.

During a July 24 Q&A session with her Instagram fans, Scarlett was asked if she would be appearing in any upcoming television shows. Scarlett replied: “I can’t announce anything yet but let’s just say the end of the year is going to be great fun” alongside a smiley emoji.

Throwback to New York… feeling sentimental today!! #tb #newyork #nyc

A post shared by Scarlett Moffatt (@scarlettmoffatt) on Jul 1, 2018 at 2:41am PDT

The answer was quickly deleted from her Instagram stories – prompting fans to speculate that she’d let too much on. Scarlett was a fan favourite to join last year’s Strictly and even competed in dance competitions during her teens.

Scarlett also claims she was asked to join Strictly before but was forced to turn it down due to Gogglebox filming conflicts. She told The Daily Star:

“I was asked to do Strictly Come Dancing which was pretty cool but I love Gogglebox too much. I would have had to choose between the two and it was a no brainer for me.”

Who else is rumoured to be in the Strictly line-up?

Joey Essex

22013 I'm a Celebrity...Get Me Out of Here! campmate Joey Essex
2013 I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here! campmate Joey Essex

The former The Only Way is Essex and I’m a Celebrity…Get me Out of Here! star is apparently keen to join this year’s Strictly line-up – and BBC bosses are supposedly banking on his likability factor.

Davina McCall

Davina McCall
Davina McCall

The former Big Brother presenter has been tipped to join Strictly many times over the years but this year her chances seem higher than ever. Davina made headlines earlier this year over her marriage breakdown to Matthew Robertson and Strictly could be just the positive distraction she needs.

Coleen Rooney

WAG Coleen Rooney
WAG Coleen Rooney

WAG to footballer Wayne Rooney, Coleen Rooney was reportedly all set to compete in last year’s Strictly – but had to pull out after falling pregnant with her fourth child. According to The Mirror Coleen is in talks with the BBC to sign up this year with an inside source claiming:

“This would be one of Strictly’s biggest signings ever and it would be a ratings sensation.”

Chris Kamara

Football pundit Chris Kamara
Football pundit Chris Kamara

Sport presenter Chris Kamara already impressed the Strictly team when he took part in a Strictly Sport Relief special and seems to be keen to join the official series this year. However, he has yet to officially confirm his appearance.

Cheryl

Cheryl Cole
Cheryl Cole

Head Strictly judge Shirley Ballas said she thinks Cheryl would be ‘amazing’ on the show and would be one of the show’s biggest stars ever to compete. However, given that Cheryl is set to play a role in the upcoming dance BBC competition show The Greatest Dancer it seems unlikely.

Shayne Ward

Shayne Ward
Shayne Ward

Shayne Ward bowed out of Corrie this year following his character’s shocking suicide storyline. He’s also admitted that he packed on the pounds after gorging on all the free sweets on Coronation Street’s set so surely Strictly would be the perfect opportunity for him to get in shape.

Piers Morgan

BBC pundit Piers Morgan
BBC pundit Piers Morgan

Piers Morgan challenged BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker to compete against him on this year’s Strictly. Lord Alan Sugar even chimed in, offering to donate £25k to charity if Piers joins this year’s line-up and a further £25k if he makes it past week five.

Dan Walker

BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker
BBC Breakfast’s Dan Walker

BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker may just have taken on Piers up on his bet. Strictly judge Anton Du Beke dropped the huge hint that Dan’s tango was “coming along nicely” on Good Morning Britain.

Nadiya Hussain

The Great British Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain
The Great British Bake Off star Nadiya Hussain

2016’s The Great British Bake Off winner Nadiya Hussain is a big fan of Strictly and according to an insider via The Sun BBC bosses “have openly said how much they would like to get Nadiya on the show.”

Les Dennis

TV personality Les Dennis
TV personality Les Dennis

Former Corrie star and Family Fortunes presenter Les Dennis has openly spoken about his desire to compete on Strictly. Les said on Sunday Brunch:

“When I was doing Coronation Street I was approached but we weren’t allowed to do it, we had a policy. I wouldn’t mind doing it, I always like a challenge.”

Courtney Act

Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act
Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act

Drag star and Celebrity Big Brother winner Courtney Act told The Daily Star she would love to compete on Strictly as part of a same-sex couple:

“I would want to be Courtney and dance with a male partner. And then halfway through the series I’d come out as Shane and there would finally be same-sex dancing on the show.”

Catherine Tyldesley

Soap actress Catherine Tyldesley
Soap actress Catherine Tyldesley

Corrie actress Catherine Tyldesley is set to leave the cobbles for good over the next few months. Could she be swapping Coronation Street for Strictly? It seems likely given her recent quotes to OK! magazine:

“I’ve started going to auditions and I’ve been put up for some really exciting jobs. I’d love to do a gritty drama, but I want to try as many genres as possible.

“I don’t watch much reality TV but the one show I do watch is Strictly Come Dancing. I adore it. That’s the only one I would possibly do.”

When is Strictly Come Dancing back on TV?

The first dates for the 16th series of Strictly Come Dancing has just been released. This year’s Strictly red carpet event (when the celeb line-up is officially revealed) will take place August 27 and the launch show will take place August 31. As the episodes are typically pre-recorded, we expect the first episode will air Saturday 1 September.


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