Strictly Come Dancing [1] is heading back to our TV screens this autumn, but there'll be a fair few changes to make the show COVID-19 secure — not least reducing the celebrity lineup to 12, instead of the usual 15. And that lucky dozen has now been announced in full by the BBC. One thing that hasn't changed is the typical range of industries that the celebs come from. We've got the requisite sports stars, TV presenters, soap stars, actors, politicians, singers, and reality TV personalities, with a spread of ages to appeal to every dedicated Strictly fan.
It's not just the coronavirus that's meant this season will make history — Olympic boxer Nicola Adams will be part of the first same-sex couple [2] on the show. Ahead, get to know the class of 2020 better, and start predicting which celebrity contestants will be paired up with which Strictly professional dancers [3]. And remember . . . keeeeep dancing.
Clara Amfo
BBC Radio 1 presenter Clara Amfo will be all across the music choices, having covered the Brits [4], Glastonbury, The Proms, and Radio 1's Big Weekend, to name but a few of her presenting gigs. She revealed she can't wait for the "escapism through dancing".
HRVY
Singer HRVY (Harvey Leigh Cantwell) has an exciting few months ahead of him. Not only is he competing for the glitterball trophy but he's also releasing his debut studio album in November 2020. He rose to fame after uploading music to his Facebook page and went on to present CBBC's Friday Download. HRVY says his mum is excited to see him on Saturday night TV.
Nicola Adams
Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams OBE is getting pretty used to making history. At the 2012 Games in London, Nicola was the first openly LGBTQ+ person to win a boxing gold medal, and for Strictly, she's going to part of the first same-sex couple [5] on the dance show. Nicola revealed that she insisted on being paired with a female dance partner when she got offered the opportunity.
Max George
Singer Max George is no stranger to competitions, having auditioned with his band Avenue on The X Factor, before joining boy band The Wanted in 2009. Max joins the long list of music stars to swap singing for salsa-ing.
Ranvir Singh
Newsreader and political editor Ranvir Singh follows in a long line of Good Morning Britain presenters to attempt to win the glitterball trophy, including Kate Garraway, Susanna Reid, and Charlotte Hawkins. They've been giving her advice on how to deal with what she describes as the "rollercoaster" of Strictly.
Bill Bailey
Comedian, actor, and musician Bill Bailey is best known for appearing on Black Books, QI, and Never Mind the Buzzcocks. This classically trained musician plays lots of instruments, so that rhythm should help his dance training.
Maisie Smith
EastEnders actor Maisie Smith is best known for playing Tiffany Butcher-Baker on the BBC soap. She's won awards for her role as Bianca's daughter and has also released singles, so will she be a triple threat and add dancing to her singing and acting skills?
JJ Chalmers
Former Royal Marine JJ Chalmers is a TV presenter, but he's best known for winning gold at the Invictus Games [6] (and hanging with Prince Harry). While serving in Afghanistan, JJ suffered wounds to his fingers, elbow, and face during a bomb explosion. He told ITV's Lorraine he signed up to do the show [7] because he's "always looking for a challenge" outside his comfort zone.
Caroline Quentin
You might remember her as Maddie in Jonathan Creek or DCI Janine Lewis in Blue Murder, but Caroline Quentin is probably best known for her role as Dorothy in sitcom Men Behaving Badly. The award-winning actor, who has also presented many documentaries, says she's "thrilled and terrified in equal measure" to be taking part in Strictly.
Jamie Laing
Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing is getting a second chance at Strictly, after injuring himself during the launch show in 2019. As well as his reality TV career, the sweeties business owner hosts podcasts. He said the reason he's doing the show "is to make my mum proud". Could he go as far as his replacement, Kelvin Fletcher, and win in 2020?
Jason Bell
Former American football player Jason Bell retired from the NFL in 2008 due to injury, but found love that year with Girls Aloud singer Nadine Coyle [8]. The couple, who reportedly split in 2019, have a 6-year-old daughter called Anaiya. Jason says Anaiya can't wait to watch him when he swaps his sports commentating mic for the dance floor.