Two Strictly stars spotted going for training before they've been announced (2024)

Emily Bashforth

We’re closing our Strictly live blog for now, but be sure to visit Metro.co.uk’s Strictly page to keep tabs on the latest contestant announcements, fan theories, drama, and more!

Several stars are yet to be announced and, of course, we have the highly-anticipated partnerships to come.

In the meantime, keeeeeep dancingggg…

Emily Bashforth

Scandal has engulfed Strictly in recent months, with allegations made against professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, both of whom have left the show.

Amanda Abbington accused Giovanni of ‘bullying’ and ‘toxic’ behaviour (which he denies) in the training room before she quit Strictly five weeks in last series.

She’s since spoken out about receiving death threats online from his fans and claims she has been left with PTSD from her Strictly experience.

Meanwhile, according to footage, it’s believed Graziano ‘kicked and hit’ Love Islander Zara McDermott, prompting him to apologise for his actions and express ‘deep regret’.

Consequently, new rules have been implemented by the BBC, including introducing chaperones for rehearsals and hiring welfare staff to support stars.

‘Further training’ has also been given to cast members and crew.

According to The Mirror, the new training is ‘compulsory’ and failure to comply will result in employment terminations.

An insider said: ‘By making this training compulsory, the BBC are sending a crystal clear message to everyone involved in the show that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

‘The recent allegations and complaints have rocked Strictly, but they are determined it will not be derailed.

‘They are going to do everything they can to prevent misconduct in future.

‘They are taking these new rules very seriously indeed and anyone who does not comply will be gone in an instant.’

Emily Bashforth

Sadly, we might have to kiss goodbye to any hopes we have of Gemma Collins ever stepping onto the Strictly dancefloor.

The Towie icon has revealed the reason she’ll never do the show, despite plenty of her showbiz pals signing up in the past.

Gemma had a strong response when asked if she’d follow in Pete Wicks’s footsteps by donning sequins and spray tans.

She said: ‘No. I don’t fancy it. I saw all the stuff [about the scandal].

‘I don’t know what it is about the show that people fall over backwards about.

Adding of the recent complaints against pros ‘bullying’ their celeb partners, Gemma told The Sun: ‘I wouldn’t want to be embroiled in all of that, it’s put me right off.’

While many stars have Strictly on their bucket lists, Gemma is adamant she won’t ever do it.

The ex-Dancing On Ice star said: ‘I don’t fall over myself to do anything, never have and never will.

‘If you live your life dreaming of getting onto Strictly, you need to go out and get into nature.’

Brutal!

Emily Bashforth

It appears two unannounced Strictly stars have had their covers blown before their identities have been officially revealed.

Both Nick Knowles and Paul Merson have been photographed heading to rehearsals, trying – but failing – to remain incognito.

Pap pics capture DIY SOS star Nick, 61, and former football manager Paul, 56, arriving at training, wearing hoodies and sunglasses.

The pair were rushed into a side door at the studio, where the other announced celebs had been arriving all morning.

Neither Nick nor Paul’s names have been formally announced as part of this year’s Strictly cast, but rumours have been swirling for a while.

And, well, now we have photographic evidence, that seems to confirm the speculation.

Nick is best known as a TV presenter, with previous roles including fronting game shows Who Dares Wins, Break the Safe, and 5-Star Family Reunion.

Meanwhile, Paul is an ex-professional footballer who now works in commentary and punditry.

They join Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, Towie’s Pete Wicks, Miranda star Sarah Hadland, Olympian Tom Dean, EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick, and Gladiators’ Montell Douglas.

Also confirmed thus far are JLS pop star JB Gill, Go Compare singerWynne Evans,80s music icon Toyah Willcox,andBBC Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.

Completing the cast is comedian Chris McCausland, who makes history as Strictly’s first-ever blind contestant.

Emily Bashforth

As Strictly 2024 announcements have been coming thick and fast this past week, fans have expressed disappointment in the calibre of stars taking part, branding the show a ‘flop’.

Others have blasted the line-up as ‘shocking’ and repeatedly asked, ‘who?’ when a new contestant was revealed.

However, there’s still a lot of love out there, as devout Strictly viewers have defended the BBC flagship show and its castings.

Following the announcement of Gladiators star and Olympian Fire – real name Montell Douglas – Instagram users took to the comments to throw support behind her.

‘I think she will be really good!! I can’t wait to watch her!! 😍😍’, wrote ame.lia3641.

wellinever commented: ‘Congratulations! Can’t wait to see you compete. Let’s go Fire 🔥🔥🔥’

Instagram user imogenalanah_ also vented: ‘Everyone’s complaining about the line up, am I the only one who knows everyone or something? or are people just expecting Margot Robbie and Ryan Reynolds to show up🤭?’

mikecampbell22 agreed: ‘People complain EVERY year until the show gets going. It’s ridiculous honestly 😂😂’

Fire was the 12th celeb confirmed for this year’s Strictly, joining the likes of Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Sarah Hadland, and Jamie Borthwick.

She’s also the second Olympian taking part this series, alongside Tom Dean.

In 2023,Montell Douglaswas unveiled in the BBC One series of Gladiators, but she’s also a multi-talented sports star who has competed as an Olympic Bobsledder and Team GB Sprinter.

In 2010,the athletewon Commonwealth Gold in the 4x100m relay race. She also held the British woman’s record for fastest 100m sprint.

Her appearance at the Beijing Winter Olympics in the Bobsledding team etched her name into sporting history as she became the first female UK athlete to compete at both the Summer and Winter Olympic Games.

So, we don’t think stamina is going to be an issue for her…

Emily Bashforth

The next Strictly contestant has been confirmed – but fans are livid that they can’t access the announcement.

While previous reveals have taken place on social media and TV shows such as ITV’s Lorraine, the next star was announced on, erm, Roblox.

Yes, the online gaming platform.

Taking to X, fans raged as they refused to download Roblox just for Strictly, after the BBC dance show wrote on their Instagram Story: ‘For our next reveal, go to BBC Wonder Chase on Roblox!’

As for the celeb, Fire from Gladiators is set to waltz her way onto the dancefloor.

Real name Montell Douglas, the Olympian is the 12th celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly.

The news was revealed this afternoon on the set of Gladiators filming at the Sheffield Utilita Arena, at the same time as her bespoke Roblox character was also unveiled.

Montell said:‘Strictly, are you ready? Fire is here to light up the Ballroom.

‘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!’

Ruth Lawes

Tess has presented Strictly since it began in 2004, first alongside the late Sir Bruce Forsyth and now with Claudia Winkleman.

But according to a source she is reconsidering her career on the BBC show as the scandal continues.

A source told Closer: ‘Tess loves Strictly – she’s been there from the start and they’re like her family but the whole scandal has put a murky cloud over everything.

‘She’s been thinking about the future and what it all could mean. Things seem worse, with more investigations underway, and it’s been a nightmare for the show.’

Lucy Mapstone

Love Island star Tasha Ghouri looked full of beans and raring to go as she arrived for her Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals on Thursday.

The 25-year-old wore simple sporty leggings and trainers as she entered a studio in London, dragging a suitcase behind her, no doubt with plenty of costume changes for the day.

It is not yet known who her professional Strictly dance partner will be for the series – that will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Lucy Mapstone

Sarah Hadland has admitted that she is a trained dancer.

The 53-year-old actress – best known for playing Stevie Sutton on the BBC sitcom Miranda alongside Miranda Hart – has dropped the bombshell that she has been honing her dance skills since childhood.

She told the Daily Mirror newspaper: ‘I trained in dance from the age of three and then I left home at the age of 16 to go to a musical theatre college.’

She joins Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, another famous face on this year’s line-up to also have a professional dance background.

Tasha was forced to defend her background earlier this week after fans complained.

She wrote on Instagram: ‘I’ve not danced for quite a few years, since Love Island my career is so different.

‘It’s such a different dance style, I may actually not be good at it, like ballet, I’m not good at ballet.

‘I’m trained in commercial street style. It’s going to be very hard but I’m excited for a challenge.’

Away from Miranda, Sarah is known for playing job centre manageress Trish in The Job Lot alongside Russell Tovey, but has also appeared in stage productions of musicals Grease and Cats over the course of her career.

Ruth Lawes

Strictly fans have already placed bets on the song for Sarah Hadland’s first dance.

The actress is best known for playing Miranda’s best friend Stevie Sutton in the BBC comedy drama.

In the show, Stevie’s mascot is English soul singer Heather Small and lives by her lyric: ‘What have you done today to make you feel proud.’

She even has a cardboard cut-out of the M People lead vocalist.

On X, @Ariadne_Review ssaid: ‘If her first dance isn’t to Proud by Heather Small, someone should be fired. #strictly #scd.’

Ruth Lawes

A Strictly Come Dancing fan on social media has joked contestant Tasha Ghouri accidentally revealed she had signed up for the show.

@Kevenlaw said on X he met the former Islander a few weeks back – and has now realised she was wearing ballet shoes.

They joked: ‘That explains why Tasha Ghouri was wearing ballet shoes when I met her a couple of weeks ago. She’s definitely my Strictly favourite. #tashaghouri#Strictly.’

Ruth Lawes

We’re back! Good morning everyone and welcome to our Strictly Come Dancing blog.

We’re on day five but it has flown by and the announcements have been coming through at breakneck speed.

So far, 11 contestants have been confirmed for the show- with another four still to be announced.

Who do you think they could be?

Laura Harman

We’re now signing this blog off for the night, but stay tuned tomorrow for more updates as the official announcements continue!

With 11 contestants officially confirmed, we are still waiting to hear who the other four contestants will be!

Laura Harman

Pete Wicks and Sam Thompson’s friendship has warmed fans’ hearts, with many claiming that they will be tuning into the new season just to see this pair in action.

Commenting on an emotional video of Pete revealing to Sam that he’d be in the dancing competition, leeanne.turner1 commented: ‘I’ve never watched it!!! But I am this year 😂👏’

‘Can’t wait, I don’t watch strictly but deffo watching if Pete’s on 🤣,’ agreed kayleymair92.

‘Actually the best thing I’ve seen in a long time….pure Joy!!! Sorry, but I cannot wait to see….Sam in the audience 😂😂✨✨✨✨✨,’ said sarah040770.

‘Just when I thought I couldn’t love the two of you more!! Pure friendship ❤️. I cannot bloody wait for Strictly now!!!’ added claireyclux.

Laura Harman

The Olympic swimmer was announced as a contestant earlier today and his own mother has been (jokingly) slammed by his own mother!

Jacquie Hughes told PA that he danced in his youth and made it to the final of a ‘Strictly equivalent’ dancing competition, she added crucially ‘but I wouldn’t say he was John Travolta.’

The 61-year-old added: ‘Him and his brothers always choreograph a really funny dance for Christmas to show to me and his sisters, which is always hilarious, which they reveal on Christmas Day, but that’s just a bit of fun.’

She also revealed that she was excited for fans ‘to see the fun side’ of Tom and not just when he is in ‘professional swimmer mode.’

She then joked that he needed to sort out his ‘land legs’ but he had the discipline to do well in the competition.

‘He’s already got the discipline, he’s already got the fitness, he’s already got the strength.

‘What he hasn’t got is land legs, so he’s going to have to strengthen his ankles and his knees and his feet, but he’s always up for something fun and something a bit different.’

Laura Harman

Sam Thompson, who is best friends with Pete Wicks and dating former contestant Zara McDermott, has revealed his wild reaction as he found out Pete was taking part in Strictly.

Pete teased Sam by saying that he was doing something Sam ‘always dreamed’ he’d do.

The reality TV star leapt up and onto his podcast co-host when he presented him with a mirrorball and revealed he’d be in the upcoming season.

In the caption of the video Sam said: ‘The moment Pete made my dreams come true 😂 I’ve never been so excited for something!!! The sequins, the tassels, the open-buttoned shirts!!! I’m welling up just thinking about it 🥹 you deserve this mate. You’re an icon, and the best person I know!’

Zara also reposted the video on her Instagram with the caption: ‘The moment Sam found out about Pete doing Strictly! Why did this make me so emotional.’

Laura Harman

It has been reported that the BBC approached Sarah Ferguson, the duch*ess of York, and asked her to participate in the dance competition.

However, the duch*ess had a pretty straightforward response, immediately declining the offer.

‘There was an approach earlier this year,’ a source told The Express.

‘It was turned down immediately and no discussions took place, as the duch*ess doesn’t consider reality TV offers.’

So there you have it! There isn’t a chance of royalty stepping on the ballroom floor this year!

Laura Harman

Even though all the contestants have yet to be announced, fans have already decided that they want this celebrity to be partnered with this professional dancer.

Viewers want Jamie Borthwick to be partnered with Amy Dowden. The actor was paired with Nancy Xu during the Christmas Special of 2023 which means they are unlikely to be coupled again, leaving fans eager for Amy to be his partner.

‘Surely Amy and Jamie partnering up 🙌🏻🙌🏻,’ commented soapsfan_x on the Instagram post announcing Jamie would be in the show.

‘Yess !!!@amy_dowdenor@laurenmayoakleyplease ❤️’ added amandaslifeedit.

‘I feel like Jamie is going to be partnered with Amy,’ added Matildaastaples.

Of course, we’re some time away from the couples being announced so we will have to wait for a few more weeks to find out who the celebrities will be dancing with.

Laura Harman

Jamie Borthwick is the most recent Eastenders actor to join the cast of Strictly Come Dancing.

But the star is far from the first castmember from the London-based soap to take part in the dance competition.

Previous Eastender cast members to take part in the show include:

• Bobby Brazier (2023)
• James Bye (2022)
• Rose Ayling-Ellis (2021)
• Maisie Smith (2020)
• Emma Barton (2019)
• Lee Ryan (2018)
• Davood Ghadami (2017)
• Tameka Empson (2016)
• Kellie Bright (2015)
• Jake Wood (2014)
• Sid Owen (2012)
• Anita Dobson (2011)
• Kara Tointon (2010)
• Scott Maslen (2010)
• Natalie Cassidy (2009)
• Ricky Groves (2009)
• Jessie Wallace (2008)
• Gillian Taylforth (2008)
• Phil Daniels (2008)
• Matt Di Angelo (2007)
• Letitia Dean (2007)
• Louise Lytton (2006)
• Pasty Palmer (2005)
• Jill Halfpenny (October 2004)
• Christopher Parker (May 2004)

Laura Harman

Not long after being announced as a contestant in Strictly, fans have criticised the Eastenders star’s participation in the show by claiming he had an ‘unfair advantage’.

This is because the star took part in the Christmas Special of 2023 and won with his professional dancing partner Nancy Xu.

‘Didn’t he just do it at Christmas? Unfair advantage?’ asked kevgeo2013.

‘Wasn’t he on the Christmas one,’ kaminski_shaun added on the announcement that Jamie would be competing.

Other fans were pleased to see him back on the dancefloor, ‘Can’t wait to see him dance again he’s gonna win 🏆 was incredible on Xmas show,’ said Kirstie_kaye_.