The BBC's glamorous Saturday night show Strictly Come Dancing is back! We now have news of all the celebrities who'll soon be stepping into the ballroom, and news of the professional partners who'll help them dance their way to glory (and a glitterball trophy). As ever, the names were shared in groups on other TV shows, radio shows, and social media over the course of a week. The first three names were announced on The One Show on 31 July, with the next announced on Heart Radio early the following morning. Since then, This Morning and BBC Breakfast have joined the fun revealing future ballroom stars.
For 2019's 17th season, we have a whole host of famous faces, including a Paralympic champion, two famous footballers, a '90s icon, soap and reality stars, a comedian, a sports presenter, a radio DJ, a Drag Race legend, and a YouTube sensation. They'll join a new professional dancer [1] and a new judge [2] for the new series. Keep reading to find out more about the all of the Strictly Come Dancing celebs of 2019.
Anneka Rice
An instantly familiar face to anyone who watched TV in the '80s and '90s, Anneka Rice rose to fame jumping out of helicopters in Channel 4's Treasure Hunt, before making people (and hedgehogs') dreams come true with her community-spirited BBC show Challenge Anneka. She said of joining Strictly, "I haven't danced since I was 7 and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated. My family and friends haven't seen me dance since, not at a wedding or round a handbag so it's going to be a challenge for my partner."
Anneka's professional partner is 2018 champion Kevin Clifton.
James Cracknell
Former rowing world champion and double Olympic gold medallist James Cracknell is no stranger to a challenge: as well as his sporting career, he's travelled the world taking part in all kinds of dangerous races, and had the injuries to prove it. Compared to that, stepping into the ballroom should be a breeze, but are his dancing feet as good as his rowing shoulders? We'll soon see.
James's professional partner is Luba Mushtuk.
Dev Griffin
BBC Radio 1 presenter Dev Griffin said, "I just can't believe I'm doing Strictly, it just doesn't feel real yet! It's going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I'm not doing this to take part, I'm totally in it to win it! I can't wait to meet my partner and start practicing." He's got experience on celeb reality shows behind him: he starred on Celebrity Masterchef and Channel 4's SAS Who Dares Wins.
Dev's professional partner is Dianne Buswell.
Alex Scott
Former professional footballer and BBC sports presenter Alex Scott was the 12th Strictly celeb to be announced. She said "I'm super excited, but also terrified at the same time . . . The football pitch is a bit less glam than the ballroom, but I'm ready to try the sequins and dresses! Bring it on [4]!"
Alex's professional partner is Neil Jones.
Jamie Laing
Known best for his role on Made in Chelsea, Jamie Laing [5] has also appeared on The Great British Bake Off, Famous and Fighting Crime, and Celebrity Hunted. Speaking about joining the cast in a BBC press release on Aug. 5, Jamie said, "the only person potentially more thrilled is my mother. I have finally become the son she hoped for!".
Jamie unfortunately had to step down from the show after suffering an injury during rehearsals.
Kelvin Fletcher
Emmerdale star Kelvin has stepped into Jamie's shoes to take part in the live shows. The actor, who played Andy Sugden on the show for 20 years, said he's "Absolutely BUZZING!" to be stepping into the ballroom. When he's not on our TV screens, Andy has a second life that's just as cool: he's also a professional racing driver who competes in the British GT Championship.
Kelvin's professional partner is Oti Mabuse.
Michelle Visage
Known best for her role as a judge on RuPaul's Drag Race, Michelle Visage is making moves on the UK in a big way this year. First, with joining the cast as a judge on the UK spinoff of RuPaul's Drag Race [6], and now on Strictly Come Dancing. The news was announced on Aug. 5 on Lorraine, and when asked how she feels about joining the cast, she said "I'm over the moon. . . I'll be dramatic, and I'll be as amazing as I can be".
Michelle's professional partner is Giovanni Pernice.
Will Bayley
Will Bayley is a world table tennis Paralympic champion, and he has just been announced as the 10th celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing 2019 cast. Speaking on Julia Hartley-Brewer's talkRADIO breakfast on Monday Aug. 5, he said he wants "to inspire people with a disability — that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this." Adding, "I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well".
Will's professional partner is Janette Manrara.
Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth
A chef, and model, Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth [7] was announced as a celebrity in this year's season of Strictly Come Dancing on Aug. 4. Speaking on Gaby Roslin's BBC Radio London show on Sunday, Thynn said she was relieved to finally be able to speak about joining the cast after months of secrecy. She is also known for her marriage to Ceawlin Thynn, the son of Alexander Thynn, 7th Marquess of Bath.
Emma's professional partner is Aljaz Skorjanec.
Mike Bushell
BBC Breakfast sports presenter Mike Bushell will be following in a long line of breakfast TV stars by stepping into the ballroom this year. The news was revealed on BBC Breakfast on Aug. 2, making him the sixth celebrity to be announced. Bushell said "it feels like a weird dream," to be joining Strictly.
Mike's professional partner is Katya Jones.
Catherine Tyldesley
Coronation Street bombshell Catherine, who played Eva Price in the soap until 2018, was revealed as the fifth Strictly celeb during a spot on the ITV magazine show This Morning. She described herself as "Beyond excited!!!! And TERRIFIED!!!"
Catherine's professional partner is Johannes Radebe.
Saffron Barker
Social media star Saffon has over two million YouTube subscribers and 1.2 million Instagram followers, and she's only 19! She was the fourth celebrity to be announced and said of the news, "I've never been so excited and nervous for something in my entire life! This journey hasn't even begun yet, and I already feel like I'm in a dream!"
Saffon's professional partner is AJ Pritchard.
Emma Barton
Emma will be a familiar face to fans of Eastenders, where she's starred on and off as Honey Mitchell since 2005. We have a feeling she's got some strong dance skills up her sleeve, having played roles like Roxie Hart in Chicago and Marty Maraschino in Grease in the past.
Emma's professional partner is Anton Du Beke.
Chris Ramsey
Comedian Chris Ramsey is a regular on panel shows like Celebrity Juice and 8 Out of 10 Cats and also has two seasons of his own show, The Chris Ramsey Show, under his belt. He describes himself as being, "Very excited, very nervous. I'll either be good, or I'll be so rubbish that it'll be funny anyway, so happy days!"
Chris's professional partner is Karen Hauer.
David James
Following in the footsteps of many a footballer by stepping into the ballroom, former England goalie David James was the first Strictly celebrity to be announced. Among James's many accolades, he apparently holds the Premier League record for the most clean sheets, with 173.
David's professional partner is Nadiya Bychkova.