As Strictly Come Dancing 2024 prepares for its latest ballroom battle, the celebs confirmed to appear thus far…
Get set to shimmy on your sofa as Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in autumn 2024, marking 20 years of the nation’s favourite dancing show – which recently won in the Best Entertainment category at the 2024 Bafta TV Awards. However, it has also been marred with controversy over the alleged behaviour of some of the show’s professional dancers.
Tess Daly returns to host alongside Claudia Winkleman in the famous ballroom. Tess has hosted the show right from the start in 2004, with Claudia stepping into co-host duties following the departure of Sir Bruce Forsyth.
The dancing stars for 2024 confirmed to take part so far…
Chris McCausland
“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 has been a comedian for over two decades and is a regular face on flagship comedy shows like Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You?, QI, The Last Leg, and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown. He has appeared on Live at the Apollo three times, hosting in 2021, a year that also saw him make his highly acclaimed debut appearance on The Royal Variety Performance.
JB Gill
“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!”
JB Gill rose to fame as a member of one of the UK’s biggest boybands – JLS, they have accumulated five number one singles, over 10 million record sales worldwide and have won a multitude of awards. JB Gill is also an avid and award-winning farmer and was the lead presenter on CBeebies’ BAFTA-nominated television series, Down On The Farm, Channel 5’s On The Farm series, plus contributions to the BBC’s Countryfile and Springwatch.
JB Gill has been a part of the presenting team for BBC Songs of Praise since 2017 and has his own TV show Cooking With The Gills on Channel 5.
Wynne Evans
“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 a broadcaster, presenter, and professionally trained opera singer.
Wynne Evans is best known to populist audiences for his appearances in the GO-Compare adverts in the UK. Across his operatic 25-year career he has had two number-one classical music albums, has 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. Wynne currently has a daily radio show on BBC Radio Wales and has previously had radio shows on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.
Toyah Willcox
“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 is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed Willcox is a singer and actress. Toyah Willcox has been performing across stage and screen for over 50 years. She is an award-winning rock legend with hit singles like It’s A Mystery, I Want to Be Free and Brave New World and played at this year’s Glastonbury Festival with her husband, Robert Fripp.
Punam Krishan
“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.”
Dr Punam Krishan is the fifth celebrity contestant confirmed. Krishan is a media medic and broadcaster. Punam Krishan is a resident GP on BBC Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland. Alongside being a practising NHS GP, Punam regularly reports on health news as a broadcaster on TV, radio and national newspapers and has also written her own children’s book with additional books in the pipeline.
