Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Meet The Contestants
The full BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up has been announced – and the show returns to our screens on Saturday, 14 September.
Yes, the sparkle, glitz and glamour of the Strictly ballroom dancing is back! The show celebrated its 20th anniversary in May, so this series is expected to be extra special.
Here’s everything – or rather, everyone – you need to know.
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 Contestants Line-up
Nick Knowles
TV presenter
“I’ve spent my whole life learning new skills and I’ve never been afraid of a challenge. I’ll give it my everything…and try not to embarrass my kids of course!”
Sam Quek
English former field hockey player and TV show host
“I’m chuffed to be a part of this legendary show and Quickstep into the shoes of a performer, it feels absolutely surreal but I’m ready for every bit of the adventure,” Sam explained.
Paul Merson
Former professional footballer
“I’m ready to swap the pitch for the Ballroom floor, so here’s hoping my two left feet can learn some moves and you never know, maybe I’ll be taking home the Glitterball Trophy!”
Montell Douglas
Olympian and Gladiator star
“Wow I am so honoured to have been asked to do the show. It is such an amazing thing to be a part of and I can’t wait to get started. Hopefully a few of my Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble!”
Tom Dean MBE
Olympic gold medallist
“I am taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024! You may have heard me accidentally say it poolside first… but now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing. Bring it on!”
The three-time Olympic athlete will be trading his swimming cap for some dancing shoes as the latest celebrity confirmed for this year’s Strictly.
At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Tom Dean made sporting history as the first British man to win a gold medal for the men’s 200m swim freestyle in over 100 years.
In Paris 2024 Olympics, he brought won his third gold medal for Team GB in the team 4 x 200m freestyle relay.
Jamie Borthwick
Eastenders Actor
“I had a ball doing the Strictly Christmas special last year, so when I was asked to join for this series it was the easiest yes! This is a fresh challenge and it will be so different to be learning a new dance every week and for the public to have their say. I’m hoping to be Salsa-ing around Albert Square in no time and I’ll be asking my Walford Strictly alumni for some words of wisdom. See you on the dancefloor!”
This isn’t the first time Jamie will be waltzing on the Strictly ballroom floor. He already had a taste of the glitz when he won the 2023 Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.
Best known for his role as Jay Brown/Mitchell in drama EastEnders, Jamie has starred in the soap since 2006, making him one of the longest serving actors.
He won a British Soap Award for ‘Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor’ in 2008, and then ‘Best Actor’ at the Inside Soap Awards in 2023.
Sarah Hadland
Actress best known for her role in Miranda
“I cannot believe I am part of Strictly! I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year. I’m so ready for the glitz, glam and glitter and hopefully I can make everyone watching at home proud!”
Actress Sarah Hadland is best known for appearing in the popular BBC sitcom Miranda for her role as Stevie Sutton, the manager of Miranda’s joke shop and life-long best friend.
She has also appeared in ITV’s comedy series The Job Lot, for which saw her nominated for a Royal Television Society Award, and her film credits include the James Bond film Quantum of Solace.
Shayne Ward
Actor and singer best known for winning the second series of The X Factor in 2005
“I’m buzzing to see all of the sparkles and magic that is Strictly in real life. I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level. No promises on my dancing ability, but I will give it my best shot!”
You’ll remember when Shayne Ward won The X Factor singing competition back in 2005 and his debut single That’s My Goal, which topped the UK charts as Christmas number one.
These days he is more known for his acting. Ward recently played Aidan Connor in the ITV soap Coronation Street and won ‘Best Newcomer’ at the National Television Awards.
Shayne Ward has also taken to the West End in theatre shows like Rock of Ages. His latest role is Former police detective Jack Grayling in the crime drama series The Good Ship Murder on Channel 5.
Pete Wicks
TV personality and podcaster
“Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in.”
Pete Wicks first appeared on our screens on the ITV show The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE) in 2015.
He is now best known for his television appearances and presenting on the red carpet at the BRIT Awards, Pride of Britain Awards and National Television Awards. He also co-hosts the award nominated and highly popular podcast Staying Relevant.
Pete Wicks is close friends with Zara McDermott who Strictly fans will remember from last year’s line-up and the recent Strictly abuse scandal. Pete and Zara spent a lot of time together last year posting videos to TikTok and Instagram that referenced her boyfriend Sam Thompson who was in the I’m a Celebrity jungle while Zara took part in Strictly. Sam is also best friends with Wicks and the co-host of their podcast.
Both Zara and Sam have voiced their support for Wicks despite the abuse Zara endured from dance partner Graziano Di Prima, who hit, spat at and kicked her during rehearsals.
Tasha Ghouri
Model and TV personality
“Pinch me, I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly Come Dancing! I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true. I know it’s going to be an unforgettable experience and I hope to represent and make everyone proud out on that dancefloor.”
Tasha Ghouri was Love Island’s first-ever deaf contestant in 2022 and passionately raises awareness for the deaf community.
She now has a following of over 2.2 million across her social media network and has worked with Number 10 Downing Street, The Department of Education and MED-AL.
Her debut novel Hits Different is a romance fiction novel follows a young dancer who is deaf as she navigates the world and her love life. The TV personality also has her own podcast, Superpowers with Tasha.
Punam Krishan
TV doctor
“This still doesn’t feel real, I am overjoyed to be a contestant on this year’s show. I have watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now. This is so out of my comfort zone, but I’m up for the journey and will give it my absolute all.”
Punam Krishan is one of the resident GPs on BBC Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland.
She a practising NHS GP who regularly reports health news on TV, radio and newspapers.
Punam has also written her own children’s book, How to Be a Doctor and Other Life-Saving Jobs, and she is working on publishing more.
Toyah Willcox
Singer and actress
“Wow Strictly Come Dancing, can you believe it! This is going to be a wild and wonderful ride, and I’m here for every sparkly second. I’m used to performing for big crowds but this is completely fresh for me, how I will do, it’s a mystery… I just want to get cracking and learn some dance routines now!”
Toyah Willcox has 50 years experience performing across on-stage and on-screen.
Her hit singles include It’s A Mystery, I Want to Be Free and Brave New World. Overall, she has thirteen top 40 singles, twenty-five albums and has appeared in over forty stage plays.
She had over twenty feature films credits to her name and has presented many television programmes.
In 2018, she was awarded a Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Companionship for Outstanding Achievement in music, drama, performance and media.
Wynne Evans
Best known as the Opera singer in the Go Compare advert
“I am honestly still pinching myself, a portly balding opera singer, me, taking part in Strictly Come Dancing?! I’m not entirely sure how I’ll get along, if all else fails I’ll just have to learn the art of distraction. What I do know is I will give it my all and aim to make Wales proud. I’m definitely going to try and combine my love of Opera into one of my routines. Plus, after winning Celebrity MasterChef last year, maybe the route to the judges’ hearts will be through their stomachs!”
Wynne Evans is broadcaster, presenter, and professionally trained opera singer.
Although the entire nation will recognise his operatic voice from the famous Go Compare advert, his career spans over 25-years. Wynne Evans has had two number one classical music albums, been a principal at most of the major opera houses around the world and has given over 200 performances at the Royal Albert Hall in London.
Currently, he hosts a daily radio show on BBC Radio Wales.
JB Gill
JLS star
“I danced in the Strictly Christmas special over a decade ago and loved it, so when I got the call to join Strictly this year, it was an immediate yes from me. I’m raring to go to and looking forward to showing off some new skills to the JLS boys. From muddy wellies on the fields of my farm to sequins and Glitterballs – I’m here to embrace it all!”
You may recognise JB Gill from one of the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS. They were runners up to Alexandra Burke in the X Factor, 2008.
JLS went on to have five number one singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide and win multiple awards.
What you might not know about JB Gill is that he’s also an award-winning farmer. He was the lead presenter on CBeebies’ Down On The Farm, as well as the On The Farm series for Channel 5, and he has also featured in the BBC’s Countryfile and Springwatch.
He also has his own TV show Cooking With The Gills on Channel 5.
Chris McCausland
Comedian
“If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing. I don’t dance, I haven’t danced, I can’t dance, I can’t see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong? Ok don’t answer that…!”
Chris McCausland is set to be Strictly’s first-ever blind contestant.
He’s been a comedian for over 20 years and is a regular face on popular comedy shows such as Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You?, QI, and more.
Chris McCausland has performed stand-up Live at the Apollo three times and he currently hosts his own Saturday morning chat show for ITV, The Chris McCausland Show.
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Hannah McLaren
I've worked at DC Thomson for six years! I began as an intern at My Weekly and The Scots Magazine, which was extended by a few months to help out at The People's Friend. I then covered maternity as Celebrity Editor for My Weekly, before I became Multimedia Journalist at The Scots Magazine. Currently I'm writing digital content across each title.
