Strictly Come Dancing: Who is competing on 2021 series? Every celebrity announced so far

The cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2021 is in the process of being announced.

The dance competition series will return to BBC One this autumn with a full-length series, having aired for a shorter run of episodes last year due to the pandemic. Fifteen couples will take part, rather than last year’s 12.

The show is expected to return in September, with BBC bosses planning to bring back all the themed weeks and a live audience for the 2021 series.

However, the show won’t travel to Blackpool for the second consecutive year, as social distancing is not possible in the backstage area.

Here’s every celebrity competing on Strictly so far...

Tom Fletcher

Tom Fletcher is a singer and guitarist best known for performing with the pop-punk band McFly and supergroup McBusted.

Fletcher is not the first McFly member to take part in Strictly, with drummer Harry Judd having won the show 10 years ago with Aliona Vilani. His wife, Giovanna, won the most recent series of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!.

“I think the fact that I’m actually going to be dancing on Strictly this year has only just started to sink in while I’m writing this!” the 36-year-old wrote, describing how he was “excited” but “terrified” to take part.

“My kids were excited too until I started showing them my best dad-dancing in the kitchen. I’m not sure how far they’ll get me in the competition but I can’t wait to add some new moves to my embarrassing dad-dancing repertoire.”

Robert Webb

Actor and comedian Robert Webb is the next celebrity to take part in Strictly 2021.

Best known for his roles in sitcoms Peep Show and Back, the Bafta winner also took part in and won Let’s Dance for Comic Relief in 2009 while performing to “What a Feeling” from Flashdance.

Speaking about joining Strictly, Webb, 48, joked that he couldn’t wait to “get packed into a spandex onesie and fired from a glitter cannon directly at Claudia Winkleman”.

“My goal is to try and survive from week to week without causing serious injury to myself or innocent bystanders. I know it’s going to be a challenge. To do well in this competition is a test of character, although mainly it’s a test of dancing.”

AJ Odudu

AJ Odudu is a TV presenter who previously co-hosted Big Brother’s Bit on the Side and has appeared on shows such as Richard Osman’s House of Games, Celebrity Karaoke Club and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

She currently presents Apocalypse Wow on ITV2.

“I am beyond chuffed that I am going to be on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing and I’m so glad I can finally tell my mum. Her face will be a picture, she’s going to be over the moon!” Odudu, 33, said.

“I absolutely love the show and am fully committed to making the most of every second of the Strictly experience. Bring it on!”

John Whaite

The winner of The Great British Bake Off series three in 2013, John Whaite is a chef and TV personality.

He’ll be competing in Strictly’s first ever all-male competitive partnership, following on from Nicola Adams and Katya Jones ,who danced together last series.

Speaking about appearing on the show, Whaite, 33, said that he was excited to dance with another man as “a great step forward in representation and inclusion”.

“I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth,” he said. “Whoever it is I’m paired with, I hope they are up for a challenge as I want our routines to include lots of spectacular lifts!”

Rhys Stephenson

Children’s TV presenter Rhys Stephenson has also been announced for Strictly 2021.

The actor is best known as the face of the CBBC channel and has also presented on shows such as Blue Peter, Saturday Mash-Up! and Newsround.

Stephenson says he’s excited about every part of the show – even getting criticism from Craig Revel Horwood.

“I am BUZZING to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing 2021,” he said. “I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation. I cannot wait to experience it all: the costumes, the orchestra, even Craig’s glare! I am READY!”

Sara Davies

During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, Dragons’ Den investor Sara Davies was revealed as the latest member of the Strictly class of 2021.

The entrepreneur joined the BBC business programme in 2019, having taken her company Crafter’s Companion from a project she started at university to a business employing more than 250 people worldwide.

Discussing joining Strictly, she said: “My mum and dad are going to be so excited. I’m really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance. Truth be told – I haven’t got a clue! I’ve not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.”

Davies also said that she hopes to bring her “tenacity, drive and determination” to the dance floor.

Katie McGlynn

Another Strictly cast member was announced on BBC Breakfast this week, as it was revealed that Katie McGlynn will be taking part in the forthcoming series.

The actor is best known for her work on Waterloo Road and Coronation Street, while she currently plays Becky Quentin in Hollyoaks.

Revealing that she’s been keeping her casting on the show a secret for months, McGlynn said: “It’s been so hard keeping it a secret, but I can finally say that I’m getting ready to shake my shimmy and become part of the Strictly family!

“I’m really not a dancer, but I’m so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way... I’m fully ready to let my hair down and do something different, even if it is completely outside of my comfort zone. I can’t promise that I’ll be the best, but I’m going to give it 110% on the dance floor! As long as I don’t fall over I’ll be happy.”

Dan Walker

Also revealed to be taking part was TV presenter Dan Walker.

The BBC Breakfast host, who has presented the daily TV show since 2016, is also known for his sports coverage across the BBC.

Of Strictly, he said: “I am definitely excited, a little bit worried, mostly terrified and a small part of me is considering going into hiding!

“My kids have only ever asked me to go on two shows… Saturday Mash Up and Strictly. I did Saturday Mash Up this summer so… it’s time to embrace the sequins.”

Tilly Ramsay

Two more names were announced on This Morning on Wednesday (11 August), the first being Tilly Ramsay.

The chef and influencer, who is the daughter of Gordon Ramsay, has more than 9.5 million followers on TikTok and has presented cookery content on CBBC and ITV.

Tilly, 19, said that she was “excited and grateful” to be joining the show, adding: “I’m always up for fun new challenges and this will be my biggest adventure yet!

“I’m going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on and show my Dad how it’s really done! Bring on the glitz, glamour and sequins!”

Greg Wise

The second celebrity to be revealed among the Strictly line-up on Wednesday is Greg Wise.

The 55-year-old actor is best known for his appearance in Sense and Sensibility opposite Emma Thompson, who he later married. In recent years, he has appeared in films such as A Private War and Military Wives, as well as playing Lord Mountbatten in The Crown.

The Last Christmas writer said: “My beautiful sister was a huge disco queen. She left our world almost exactly 5 years ago in a glitter ball coffin. This is for her. My gorgeous Diva sis, who would have been insane with excitement that her little bro was doing this.

“I will channel her, as her bro can’t dance - but I’m thrilled to be dipping my toes, knees, hips and arms into this wonderful world, and hope to make her proud, and obviously make her laugh...”

Strictly Come Dancing returns this autumn on BBC One

Read More

Strictly Come Dancing announces new lineup with Tom Fletcher, AJ Odudu and Robert Webb

Strictly Come Dancing: When does 2021 series begin and how long will it air?

Strictly Come Dancing: Bake Off’s John Whaite to compete in first all-male partnership in show’s history