Strictly Come Dancing line-up is revealed

Paul Daniels, Michelle Williams and Gavin HensonDaniels, Williams and Henson (L-R) still do not know who their partners will be

Rugby player Gavin Henson, magician Paul Daniels and former Destiny’s Child star Michelle Williams will all compete in this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

They will be joined by former soap stars Kara Tointon and Tina O’Brien, actress Felicity Kendal and former MP Ann Widdecombe.

Ex-England goalkeeper Peter Shilton, actress Patsy Kensit and presenter Matt Baker are also included in the line-up.

The show’s eighth series launches on 11 September on BBC One.

Related stories

That programme will see the celebrities meet their professional dance partners for the first time. The first live show will follow several weeks later, on 1 October.

Completing this year’s line-up are EastEnders’ and former Bill star Scott Maslen, comic and psychologist Pamela Stephenson, DJ-turned-actor Goldie and film actor Jimi Mistry.

Mistry, another former resident of Albert Square, has film credits including East is East, The Guru and Blood Diamond.

Tointon played Dawn Swann in EastEnders but left last year, while O’Brien played Sarah-Louise Platt for eight years in Coronation Street.

Tina O'Brien, Peter Shilton and Ann WiddecombePeter Shilton (centre) holds the record for the most England caps

Baker, who now appears on Countryfile, is a past Blue Peter presenter.

Daniels, 72, said: “I feel sorry for anyone who gets lumbered with me because they are really going to have their work cut out.

“I guess they shouldn’t be very tall!

It was recently announced that Strictly’s co-host, Bruce Forsyth, would not be presenting the Sunday night results show this year.

He is being replaced by Claudia Winkleman, who will appear alongside Tess Daly.

Forsyth will continue to host the BBC One Saturday night competition shows and will also host the launch show.

Judges Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Alesha Dixon all return to the panel.

Dixon received criticism for her role last year after she replaced former Strictly judge, Arlene Phillips.

“It was hard last year because there was a lot of negativity before I’d even started,” she said.

“But I am a fighter and I was determined to not let any of the negative opinions get to me,” she added.

This article is from the BBC News website. © British Broadcasting Corporation, The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *