Strictly Come Dancing star dealt crushing blow as first five stars confirmed

JB Gill is the second star set to appear on Strictly 2024

As Strictly Come Dancing gears up for its glittering 20th anniversary, the list of celebrity contestants starts to drip-feed into the media spotlight.

The initial two stars have been secured, with renowned funnyman Chris McClausland and JLS crooner JB Gill poised to strut their stuff in an attempt to dazzle with their dance skills.

The buzz is building as new names are tipped to emerge daily, leading up to the grand reveal of the complete roster. Yet despite the excitement, Chris has encountered a bit of a setback even before hitting the BBC One dance stage. With bookmakers offering odds of 16/1 on his victory, it's suggested he stands as an "unlikely" contender to triumph in the upcoming series.

Coral's John Hill clarified, saying: "Chris McCausland is unlikely to be one of the favourites to win Strictly Come Dancing this year."

The odds-maker detailed: "We make the comedian 16-1 to lift the Glitterball Trophy, after he was confirmed as the first celebrity contestant on the show."

Chris McCausland is the first blind contestant ever on Strictly (Image: BBC)

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On the flip side, JB has received more promising forecasts, shimmying in as the early front-runner of next year's Strictly champion hopefuls. His rhythmic prowess from both The X Factor days and JLS performances grants him favourable 5/1 odds.

The specialist added: "As a former member of JLS, JB Gill should be very comfortable on the dance floor. We make him the early favourite to lift the Glitterball Trophy in 2024."

JB said of his upcoming stint on the show: "I did the Christmas special - it was great fun! It was the most similar dance to what I've done in JLS.

JB Gill was announced as a contestant for the new series (Image: BBC) SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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JB said of his upcoming stint on the show: "I did the Christmas special - it was great fun! It was the most similar dance to what I've done in JLS. A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me - I didn't do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer."

Speaking on This Morning, Chris told hosts Josie Gibson and Craig Doyle that he'd never seen Strictly before, admitting: "I'm apprehensive, massively apprehensive. I don't know what I'm getting myself into, I've never watched it, obviously. It's just some music. Ask me when I get into week two and get the hang of it. I kept it a secret so good and now at least I can say."

The singer, who is the show's first-ever blind contestant, continued: "I don't dance, I have never danced. I grew up with headbanging and mosh pits."

Strictly Come Dancing will return in the Autumn on BBC One.

Strictly Come Dancing star dealt crushing blow as first five stars confirmed

Strictly Come Dancing star dealt crushing blow as first five stars confirmed

Strictly Come Dancing star dealt crushing blow as first five stars confirmed

Strictly Come Dancing star dealt crushing blow as first five stars confirmed

Strictly Come Dancing star dealt crushing blow as first five stars confirmed