The first three celebrities taking part in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing have officially been revealed.
During an appearance on The One Show on Tuesday evening, Caroline Quentin was the first star confirmed to be taking part in the forthcoming series.
The Life Begins and Men Behaving Badly star said she was “a bit scared but quite excited” at the prospect of appearing on Strictly, revealing that she had struggled to keep the news secret “because I like to chat”.
Right off the bat, she also admitted that as a child she had training in ballet in modern dance, but pointed out her “knees were 50 years older than when I last tried it”.
Following this, American football player Jason Bell was unveiled as contestant number two, telling presenter Alex Jones: “I’m a huge fan of the show, and it’s time for me to do something cool to impress my daughter now that she can watch me perform.
“She’s six years old but she’s the boss.”
In an interview with the BBC, Jason – who has a six-year-old daughter with former Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle – said: “Strictly is the epitome of British television and this year, more than ever, I’m so proud and humbled to be participating.
“Strictly was the first show I ever watched when I moved to the UK and I’m a massive fan. My six year-old daughter never got the chance to see me run out on the field at an NFL game but she is very excited about me taking to the dance floor. I hope I can do her proud.”
Finally, former The Wanted star Max George was announced as the third star on the line-up.
Max is the second member of the boyband to take part in Strictly, following in the footsteps of former bandmate Jay McGuiness, who won the show in 2015.
“I spoke to Jay earlier, he left me a couple of voice notes,” Max told Alex Jones. “There’s no chance, no. There’s no comparison. But he might be able to mentor me maybe. Through Zoom or something. He did say already he could imagine me to be like a little schoolboy, all nervous.”
Alex then revealed that Jay had recorded a video message for the occasion, in which he urged Max to take “deep breaths”, and the public to be kind to him.
More names taking part in this year’s Strictly will be announced in the coming days and weeks, with TV personality Myleene Klass, radio DJ Clara Amfo, presenter Maya Jama, Love Island narrator Iain Stirling and stand-up comedian Bill Bailey among the rumoured stars.
Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing has also been tipped to make a return, after having to bow out early in the run last year due to an injury.
Although the coronavirus pandemic has hugely impacted the TV industry, it was confirmed in June that the forthcoming series of Strictly would still be going ahead, albeit with a few tweaks.
This includes the series running for a shorter time than usual – launching in October, with fewer couples than previous years – as well as the absence of Bruno Tonioli from the judging panel.
Bruno is based in LA, and while he usually flies between the UK and US while he judges both Strictly and the American show Dancing With The Stars, travel limitations mean he will not be able to fulfill his duties on the BBC series.
However, he will still be involved in the show, making weekly appearances in the Sunday night results show to offer his critiques on the night’s routines.
It has also been teased that he could make a return to the panel later in the series.
More to follow.