Defying the logistical problems imposed by Covid-19, the nation’s favourite ballroom dancers are ultimately set to return to the Strictly Occur Dancing studio, along with Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman and the judging panel – forward of the show’s 18th series.
With team routines pre-recorded following a interval of self-isolation and a variety of new steps becoming place in place to adhere to social distancing tips, as the saying goes, the present definitely will have to go on.
Getting area in excess of 9 months as opposed to the standard 13 and with 12 contestants as a substitute of 15, the 2020 series will attribute two themed shows (with the Halloween show getting axed in area of a group dance) alongside a remote appearance from Bruno Tonioli immediate from Los Angeles.
Ahead of this year’s sequin adorned instalment, we acquire a seem at the 12 famous people having portion in this year’s opposition.
Monthly bill Bailey
Comedian and actor Bill Bailey, 55, is most effective identified for his job as team captain in enjoyment match-present Never ever Mind The Buzzcocks, together with BBC comedy Black Publications and his tunes-oriented stand-up comedy tours.
“For me, finding out the essentials and then remaining equipped to pull off a coherent dance in the time we have acquired is a massive obstacle… They have bought a rough job in turning all over a person clumsy like me into something that can seem like a dancer.”
Max George
Best recognised for fronting British boyband The Required, musician-turned-actor Max George, 32, is set to abide by in the footsteps of bandmate Jay McGuiness who went on to acquire the demonstrate in 2015.
“It can be been an wonderful reaction. Admirers of The Desired are all buzzing mainly because it provides that good tiny relationship back with Jay and The Desired so that is been actually nice.”
Jacqui Smith
British Labour politician, Jacqui Smith, 57, is finest acknowledged for getting the 1st female home secretary and in spite of “not really figuring out how to dance”, the MP is no question employed to handling high-tension conditions.
“Strictly is generally anything that people today search ahead to, but this 12 months, wherever factors have been just so rough and miserable for people, by some means they experience even extra beneficial about the truth that it truly is heading to be going on.”
Clara Amfo
BBC Radio 1 presenter, Clara Amfo, 36, will swap the mic for the dancefloor in advance of this year’s dwell exhibits, as she confesses she accidentally advised fellow Radio 1 presenter Nick Grimshaw she was getting element in this year’s sequence.
“Ballroom scares the hell out of me, simply because I only accepted about a yr or two ago that I’m pretty a clumsy individual. I think there just isn’t a 7 days the place I do not bang my elbow on the door or step on a plug or hit my knee on something.”
Jamie Laing
Immediately after pulling out of Strictly previous 12 months thanks to a leg injuries, Built In Chelsea star and Candy Kittens founder Jamie Laing, 31, is established to return to the dancefloor, albeit with added force, just after his substitution, Kelvin Fletcher, went on to earn the clearly show in 2019.
“I arrived out of it past yr, and definitely like most people I dislike failing at things, and it surely felt like I unsuccessful very last 12 months so this is the time to actually go for it.”
Caroline Quentin
Ideal recognised for her roles as Dorothy in Adult males Behaving Poorly and Maddie Magellan in Jonathan Creek, British actress Caroline Quentin, 60, has develop into anything of a national treasure. With superstar names such as Elizabeth Hurley, Amanda Holden and Martin Clunes currently pledging their guidance, Quentin is ready to place her most effective foot forward.
“I just want to win,” declares Quentin with a sly smile. “I am going to just delight in myself and then see. And when they get sick of me they’re going to throw me away and that is fine also – that is showbiz.”
Nicola Adams
The 1st British boxer to defend their title for 92 decades, double Olympic winner, Nicola Adams, 37, is established to crack new information as she forms aspect of the show’s initial ever exact same-sex few.
“I believe it is a amazing move in the appropriate course in particular on the range side of matters.
“And women essentially dance with women all the time in the qualified circuit so I guess it truly is just displaying persons that it can be carried out.”
HRVY
Backed by 4.5 million Instagram followers, 21-year-outdated British singer Harvey Leigh Cantwell, improved regarded as HRVY, says he is prepared to raise Strictly’s Glitterball trophy.
“The response has been really mad actually… My nan is buzzing, she left me many voicemails just stating how excited she is.
“She’s constantly been these types of a significant enthusiast of the demonstrate so I truly feel like this is going to be a massive very pleased instant to observe me on Television every single week.”
JJ Chalmers
Former Marine and British tv presenter JJ Chalmers, 33, is finest acknowledged as an Invictus Video games medalist after remaining very seriously wounded by a bomb blast in Afghanistan.
“I are living to put myself exterior my convenience zone and to make sure that I am usually seeking to develop into the best variation of myself that I perhaps can.
“This is totally new and I system on bringing the correct same head established – providing it my complete every thing.”
Jason Bell
Jason Bell, 42, is best regarded as an American soccer star and NFL cornerback.
Channelling his sporting discipline, the star has been having notes from previous partner and Women Aloud star, Nadine Coyle, forward of the reside reveals.
“At some issue, I’ve always challenged myself – sports activities has compelled that – but when I retired and went off and did other ventures, almost everything I was scared of, I took that problem on and I’ve realized a thing from it. I have uncovered about myself and how I operate.”
Maisie Smith
Actress Maisie Smith, 19, is finest recognised for her part as Tiffany Butcher in extensive-working BBC cleaning soap, EastEnders, together with her roles in films which include The Other Boleyn Girl.
“It is a family members favourite and I do not feel there’s any person who hasn’t observed the exhibit. There’s commonly someone from EastEnders on the display so you will find generally someone I can assist, and now that I am that person it is just surreal.”
Ranvir Singh
Superior Morning Britain presenter and journalist, Ranvir Singh, 43, is pretty a lot made use of to becoming in front of the digital camera.
A normal on Free Women of all ages, Singh suggests she will set her “grade just one” ballet to great use.
“I am the minimum sporty human being – I by no means played aggressive activity in my life, not once! So it just would make me cry with laughter that I am now competing in opposition to an Olympic gold medal winning boxer.”
Strictly Appear Dancing returns to BBC1 at 7.50pm tomorrow.