FANS are loving the return of Strictly Come Dancing.
The BBC One show brings with it an incredible line-up of stars all hoping to waltz and jive their way to the Glitterball trophy.
Who is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 cast?
Helen Skelton
Helen Skelton is taking part in Strictly 2022
SE revealed back in August 2022 that the Helen Skelton would be appearing on the show following her shock marriage break up.
Speaking to Claudia Winkleman‘s BBC Radio 2 show on August 13, 2022 she said: “I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure.
“My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started.”
Helen announced her split from rugby league star husband Richie Myler in April 2022 — four months after the birth of their third child.
Helen is dancing with professional dancer Gorka Marquez.
James Bye
EastEnders star James Bye is also showing off his moves on the dancefloor
EastEnders fans are used to seeing James Bye on Albert Square as his character Martin Fowler.
But he has swapped Walford for the dancefloor, to take on Strictly.
After it was revealed he would be taking part in the show, James told Good Morning Britain: “I’ve known for a long time – it’s been hard to keep a secret. I can tell people I’ve lied to – if I’ve lied to you, apologies. It’s not really sunk in.”
Talking of the reaction of his wife Victoria, James added the decision for him to star had been a “team effort.”
James Bye will be dancing with professional dancer Amy Dowden.
Aside from EastEnders, he is known for his work in movies.
His film credits include Cemetery Junction in 2010, The Great Train Robbery in 2013, and The Hooligan Factory in 2014.
Hamza Yassin
Hamza Yassin is a Strictly 2022 star
Hamza Yassin is popular with fans of BBC show Countryfile, as well as those tuning into Springwatch and Animal Park.
He moved to Scotland from Sudan when he was young, before studying zoology at Bangor University.
DJ David Farrell announced the news Hamza would be on Strictly on BBC Radio Scotland’s The Afternoon Show back in August 2022.
Hamza said: “I’m sure all of the contestants for Strictly this year got a phone call saying that they are going to be on Strictly, whereas for me, I’m the odd one out.
“I got a satellite text message notification from my agent saying in capital letters ‘you are on Strictly woop, woop!’
“For me I was over the moon. I could only celebrate by myself because I couldn’t tell anybody. So it was me and the wildlife just raving it up really!”
Hamza is dancing with professional dancer Jowita Przystał.
Fleur East
Fleur East is taking part in Strictly for season 20
Singer and radio star Fleur East is taking part in Strictly.
Speaking on Pop Hits radio after it was announced she would be on the show, Fleur said: “You’ll see me in the ballroom on Strictly Come Dancing!”
Fleur appeared on The X Factor in 2014 and went on to launch a pop career.
She appeared on I’m A Celebrity … Get Me Out Of Here in 2018, and now presents the breakfast show on Hits Radio with James Barr.
Fleur East is dancing with professional dancer Vito Coppola.
Tony Adams
Footy hero Tony Adams is taking on the Strictly challenge
Football legend Tony Adams has swapped the pitch for the dancefloor.
Speaking to the BBC before appearing on the show, Tony said: “To say I’m excited is an understatement – the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes.
“Am absolutely thrilled to be giving it my all on this year’s 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing.
“I can’t wait to meet my partner – god help her – and start the dancing.”
Tony spent his entire footballing career – 19 years- playing for Arsenal, as well as for England.
Tony Adams is dancing with professional dancer Katya Jones.
Molly Rainford
Molly Rainford is trying her luck on Strictly
CBBC star Molly Rainford has put her dancing shoes on to take part in Strictly 2022.
The 21-year-old first found fame aged 11 when she became the youngest ever finalist of Britain’s Got Talent.
Speaking about joining the show, Molly told the BBC back in August 2022: “I’m so excited to be part of Strictly Come Dancing.
“I’ve watched it for years and can’t wait to meet the pros and the others taking part! I can’t wait to learn the moves and get dancing!”
Molly is dancing with professional dancer Carlos Gu.
Ellie Taylor
Comedian Ellie Taylor is hoping to scoop the Glitterball trophy
Ted Lasso actress Ellie Taylor is taking part in Strictly 2022.
Ellie is best known for her appearances on axed comedy series The Mash Report and 8 Out Of 10 Cats and hit show Ted Lasso.
She plays Flo “Sassy” Collins – Rebecca’s best friend and Ted’s on/off love interest.
Before Strictly started, mum-of-one Ellie told ITV’s Lorraine: “It is so nice to release it to the universe. I found out a few months ago. I have managed to keep it in.”
Ellie is dancing with professional dancer Johannes Radebe.
Matt Goss
Matt Goss is part of the Strictly line-up
Fans of 80s boyband Bros were thrilled when it was announced Matt Goss would be taking part in Strictly.
Matt, who has been living in America for 25 years while headlining his Las Vegas show, told This Morning in August 2022: “I’ve been almost reclusive, I come and work and then go back to America. I thought, it’s time for me to come home and get out of my own way in a way.
“And do something completely out of my comfort zone. I’m quite shy off stage so I’ll have to face all those demons and learn.”
Matt is dancing with professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
Tyler West
DJ Tyler West jis also part of line up
Tyler West is best known for hosting weekday afternoons on KISS FM – a role in which he was nominated for a prestigious ARIA for Best New Presenter in 2020.
In 2021, he launched his first BBC Three series, co-hosting Flat out Fabulous as well as becoming the host of The MTV Movie Show.
The DJ broke the news he was the seventh celeb to be joining Strictly on the station’s breakfast show hosted by Jordan Banjo and Perri Kiely on Monday, August 8, 2022.
Tyler said in a statement: “I am SO gassed to be joining the Strictly family! As I started writing this I already got cramp.
“It’s going to be one crazy incredible journey which will no doubt be SO far outside my comfort zone.”
He continued: “It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins.”
Tyler is dancing with professional dancer Dianne Buswell.
Ellie Simmonds
Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds is taking part in Strictly
Champion swimmer Ellie Simmonds has been ruling the waves since 2008 and has now joined the Strictly line-up.
She was just 13 when she won gold medals in Beijing in 2008 and became the youngest ever recipient of an MBE a year later.
She went on to win nine titles and 15 more medals before retiring after the 2020 Tokyo games.
Ellie was awarded an OBE in 2013 and fronted the BBC documentary Ellie Simmonds: A World Without Dwarfism?
Disabled celebs have appeared on the show before, but Ellie will be the first star with dwarfism.
Before the Strictly started Ellie said: “I’ve been watching Strictly from as far back as I can remember; it’s a traditional lead up to Christmas with my family and it’s a genuine privilege to be part of it.”
She is dancing with professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin.
Jayde Adams
Jayde Adams is also part of the Strictly line-up
Comedian Jayde Adams has been showing off her dancing skills
Jayde, who is an Emmy-nominated comedian from Bristol, has appeared on 8 Out Of 10 Cats, House Of Games and hosts show Snackmasters. She also hosts Crazy Delicious on Netflix.
She is the winner of the 2014 Funny Women award and 2016 nominee for Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards.
The star said she was thrilled to be picked for a spot on the popular BBC One show and is buzzing to get her dancing shoes on.
She said before Strictly kicked off: “I cannot tell you how much this means to me, I’ve watched this show since 2004, there was a brief hiatus in 2011 when I moved to London and was gigging every Saturday and couldn’t watch the show.
“But I love the show and I’m just thrilled to get in there and whoever they give me, I don’t mind.
“If I get kicked out in that first week, I will know that I got on Strictly and for me that’s enough.”
Jayde is dancing with professional dancer Karen Hauer.
All the previous winners of Strictly Come Dancing
Kaye Adams – Eliminated
Kaye Adams was the first to leave Strictly
Loose Women star Kaye Adams, 59, announced she would be taking part in the show during an episode of the ITV daytime show on August 5, 2022.
Kaye said she signed up for the dance competition as she wants the last year of her 50s to be “memorable”.
She also confessed that she is “absolutely terrified” and admitted she “can’t dance at all”.
However, Kaye said she wants to embrace the opportunity, adding: “I can’t make much (more) of a fool of myself any more than I am.”
Aside from Loose Women, Adams also hosts a morning show on BBC Radio Scotland.
She was previously a panellist on Channel 5’s morning show The Wright Stuff.
Kaye was paired with professional dancer Kai Widdrington, but sadly they were the first to leave the show.
Richie Anderson – Eliminated
Presenter Richie Anderson was the second star to leave Strictly
Richie Anderson, star of Zoe Ball’s Radio 2 breakfast show, will be taking part in Strictly.
He is a former Sunday League footballer who played for Coombs Wood F.C.
Richie has appeared on a string of BBC TV shows including The Weakest Link and The One Show.
He was also part of BBC1’s presenting team for coverage of the Platinum Jubilee’s Party at the Palace.
On August 5, 2022, it was announced that Richie would be taking part in Strictly 2022.
Speaking to the BBC at the time he said: “I don’t know anything at the moment, but I can confirm that I will be doing the all male partnership, which is just so amazing.”
But it wasn’t meant to be, and Richie – who was paired with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice – was the second celebrity to leave the show.
Kym Marsh
Kym Marsh has swapped acting for dancing
Former Corrie star Kym Marsh is taking on Strictly.
The actress shot to fame in noughties pop band Hear’Say.
After it was revealed she would be on Strictly, Kym told the BBC at the time: “I’ve considered doing Strictly for years but the timings never worked out.
“I’m so delighted that this year they have!”
Kym added: “I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress, it’s unreal!”
Kym is dancing with professional dancer Graziano Di Prima.
Will Mellor
Will Mellor was the first star to be revealed
Actor Will Mellor was the first Strictly Come Dancing star to be revealed back in August 2022.
The cheeky chappy is best known for his roles in Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps and Hollyoaks.
After it was revealed he would be on the show, the former Corrie star told the BBC: “I’m honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year!
“Not going to lie, it’s totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about.
“This is also my mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this is for her as well. Bring it on!”
Will is dancing with professional dancer Nancy Xu.
