Strictly cast 2024 first look as new celebs don sparkles ahead of controversial new series

Pete Wicks and Nick Knowles are both taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing (Image: BBC)

For the first time ahead of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing, the full celebrity line-up has been revealed just days before the start of the new series.

Marking the 20th anniversary of the BBC show, which has recently been shrouded in controversy over the alleged abusive treatment of stars by certain professional dancers, 15 celebrities are set to go head to head as they compete for the glitterball trophy.

Dressed to impress, the ladies taking part are seen wearing sequined fitted dresses while the men donned an array of white, blue and yellow suits. The new series will launch the first show on September 14 and viewers will finally find out which celebrities are paired with the show's professional dancers.

The stars of this year's show include former Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, former TOWIE lothario Pete Wicks, Olympian Sam Quek MBE, actors Shayne Ward and Jamie Borthwick, presenter Nick Knowles, JLS star JB Gill. The series hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will run for 14 weeks and the live final will air on December 14.

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Other stars taking part are eighties icon Toyah Wilcox, Wynne Evans, Paul Merson, Sarah Hadland, Tom Dean MBE and Montell Douglas. The BBC recently released the first trailer ahead of the show's return as the professional dancers and celebrities showcased their moves to the Vengaboys' We Like to Party.

First look at Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up (Image: BBC Studios/Ray Burmiston)

This year two of the BBC's pro dancers will not return for the new series after a string of allegations were made about Giovanni Pernice, which he has denied - and more recently Graziano Di Prima.

A number of celebrities came forward over Giovanni's treatment of them during rehearsals, which was sparked by actress Amanda Abbington, last year. Since then a number of other celebrities including Laura Whitmore supported her claims.

Ranvir Singh also complained about Giovanni to producers in 2020 over his treatment of her and Laura Whitmore, who was partnered with him in 2016, said she "cried every day."

Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the show for "kicking" his partner Zara McDermott, who he was partnered with last year. In a bid to cancel out the opportunity for a repeat accusation, BBC bosses introduced chaperones during training and the appointment of two new welfare producers.

Toyah Wilcox and Montell Douglas will strut their stuff on the dancefloor for the 20th anniversary series of the BBC show (Image: BBC)

Now, the professional dancers include Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola.

And after a two-year break, Aljaz Skorjanec will also make a return. Meanwhile speaking of her return to the series, Amy Dowden said how excited she was.

The dancer was unable to compete last year as she was going through treatment for breast cancer.

Chris McCausland and Sarah Hadland are part of this year's Strictly line-up attempting to win the glitterball trophy (Image: BBC) window.topArticlesScript="https://cdn.images.express.co.uk/js/dist/article-top-articles20240903.min.js" SUBSCRIBE Invalid email

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She said: "I am so excited for every element of being back with my Strictly family. I am so grateful to get this opportunity, especially as it's such a special year for this legendary show. It feels like it's my first year again."

She continued: "I'm buzzing to see the whole team, for costumes, for dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges. Everyone's laughing at me because I am just smiling constantly. I'd like to dedicate this dance to my pink sisters who have supported me through the past year and to all those currently facing cancer."

Strictly Come Dancing begins next week on Saturday, September 14 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Strictly cast 2024 first look as new celebs don sparkles ahead of controversial new series

Strictly cast 2024 first look as new celebs don sparkles ahead of controversial new series

Strictly cast 2024 first look as new celebs don sparkles ahead of controversial new series

Strictly cast 2024 first look as new celebs don sparkles ahead of controversial new series

Strictly cast 2024 first look as new celebs don sparkles ahead of controversial new series