Strictly come dancing 2019 is getting closer by the day and the excitement is hotting up. In this article, we’ll look at the lineup and along with who the favourites are.
Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton
Welsh broadcaster and presenter Anneka Rice will be taking to the dancefloor with her professional dancing partner Kevin Clifton. Yet their pairing has already made the headlines after Clifton feels he has been paired with 60-year-old Anneka, as a punishment.
In last years show, Clifton and his then celebrity partner, Stacey Dooley, started seeing each other very publicly whilst Stacy Dooley supposedly was still with her boyfriend. Despite this, Aneeka has insisted that whilst dancing may not come naturally to her, she is going to give it her best shot.
Dev Griffin and Dianne Buswell
Now, most of you will probably recognise Dev’s voice from BBC Radio 1 where he presents the popular weekend afternoon show.
But soon, he will be gracing our screens rather than our radios as he prepares to compete in this years strictly. Dev is one of the favourites in the competition with his love for music and his competitive streak.
In 2017 Dev reached the final of Celebrity Masterchef so we can’t wait for him to show us his moves on the dancefloor.
James Cracknell and Luba Mushtuk
Professional athlete James Cracknell is best known for wearing tight lycra, not on the dancefloor but in possibly the furthest scenario from this, on a boat.
Cracknell is an Olympic rower, and with two Gold Medals and an Oxford Cambridge Boat Race under his belt, Cracknell is sure to put in as much puff as he’s got when it comes to putting his dancing shoes on.
Due to Cracknell’s intense rowing training and lifestyle, a vigorous Strictly schedule is sure to be nothing new for the 47 year old.
Alex Scott and Neil Jones
Yet another athlete due to grace our screens in this years Strictly is former Arsenal Captain and England International Football star Alex Scott.
Scott admits that she has always wanted to take part in the show and is super excited to be in this years celebrity cast.
Scott has achieved huge success in football, particularly in 2007 when her then team Arsenal won the UEFA Women’s Cup. She’s also won 140 England International appearances.
With Jones and Scott’s friendship already said to be blossoming will Scott see success not only on the field but on the dancefloor too?
Michelle Visage and Giovanni Pernice
The Amercian artist and TV personality Michelle Visage is no stranger to the cameras with being a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race and being one of three in R&B vocal trio, Seduction.
With the trio not reaching huge success in the UK, Visage is back to show us what we’ve missed and was revealed as the 9th star in this years Strictly line-up.
Visage and Giovanni are popular amongst this year’s contestants particularly with Visage’s background in the music industry and with Giovanni being the best performing pro.
Will Bayley and Janette Manrara
Yet another athlete, Will Bayley has switched table tennis training for the two-step after gaining a place in this years Strictly. Bayley is a Paralympian table tennis champion who won Gold for GB in 2016 and is set to continue his incredible achievements.
Bayley is said to be super proud to be taking part in this years show and wants to demonstrate to others with disabilities that anyone can dance, even if you are in a wheelchair, inspiring stuff!
Emma Thynn and Alijaz Skorjanec
She’s a model, an actress, British Socialite and Viscountess what more could you want? Oh, a Strictly Trophy of course!
Emma Thynn, also known as Viscountess Weymouth is married to Ceawlin Thynn, whose father is the Marquess of Bath. Emma Thynn is transforming the British aristocracy as she is set to become Britain’s first black Marchioness when her husband succeeds her father in law.
Having walked the runway for Dolce & Gabbana, Viscountess Weymouth is set to bring a sense of style and glamour to this years Strictly along with her Slovenian ballroom champion Alijaz.
Kerim Zeroual and Amy Dowden
Another of this year’s contestants is yet again no stranger to our screens, well maybe our children’s or grandchildren’s screens in fact. It is no other than CBBC presenter and West End actor Kerim.
Indeed he has performed in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and The Lion King to name a few and is therefore used to performing on stage in front of a big audience so we can’t wait for him to perform on Strictly’s Ballroom this year.
Mike Bushell and Katya Jones
Another face you are likely to recognise from your TV screens is BBC sports news presenter Mike Bushell. Whilst he may be used to rehearsing lines, he’s now getting used to rehearsing the foxtrot in the studio with his hugely successful partner Katya who won Strictly in 2017.
The couple have been seen getting stuck into rehearsals with Bushell being super excited about being picked to go on this year’s show even saying that when he got the call, he “thought they had got the wrong person.” Bushell will certainly be making the most of his Strictly experience.
Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe
For those of you who are soap lovers, you will be no stranger to the gorgeous soap star Catherine Tyldesley. Like many of us, Catherine admits to dancing on a night out and in the kitchen with her son but never in a serious way.
We can’t wait to see if Catherine manages to get into character once again but not as Eva Price but as a ballroom dancer.
Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard
The couple that everyone has been talking about, Saffron and AJ. The couple are possibly the most well-known pairing on this year’s show with Saffron being a huge social media influencer with over 1.3 million followers on Instagram.
AJ and his family have also recently hit the headlines after AJ and his brother Curtis were both brutally attacked whilst on a night out. Shortly after this, Curtis went on reality TV show Love Island and has seen huge fame since. But will the couples popularity outside the show help them in their Strictly journey?
Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke
Another soap star who will be gracing our Strictly screens is Emma Barton who famously plays Honey Mitchell in Eastenders.
Actress, Barton, who has recently lost her nan, is dedicating her Strictly experience to her beloved nan who was a huge huge fan of the show and says she will be doing it for her.
Barton is coupled with Strictly favourite Anton, who is said to be happy to finally have a partner that is under 50.
David James and Nadiya Bychkova
Former footballer David James will be taking to the dancefloor instead of the football field this year after being one of the first names to be announced for the show.
James is a former football player and England International including playing for Aston Villa, Liverpool and West Ham. James has no dancing experience but with being undoubtedly good on his feet in goal, expectations are high.
Chris Ramsey Karen Hauer
Another celebrity who was one of the first names to be released for this year’s Strictly was comedian Chris Ramsey from South Shields.
Ramsey is swapping stand-up for sequins this year after admitting to cancelling ‘most of his gigs’ in the hope of becoming a full-time and successful contestant. With the show being no laughing matter it’s time for Ramsey to get his head in gear and dancing shoes on.
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse
Latecomer, Kevin Fletcher will be busy catching up on missed rehearsal time after having to step in for Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing who suffered a foot injury and thus regrettably had to pull out of this years show.
Whilst MIC fans were disheartened, Emmerdale fans are over the moon and can’t wait to welcome Kelvin to the dancefloor and watch as he battles in the show.
Where’s your money going? Let me know by leaving a comment below right now.