Strictly 2021: No biz like pro biz – Oti Mabuse, Judi Love, Adam Peaty, John Whaite...
STRICTLY Come Dancing's posse of professionals look like they're having a ball in glitter, all hoping they might be the one to raise this year's Glitterball.
Among the 18 dancers gearing up for the BBC One launch on September 18 are returning favourites Oti Mabuse, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez and Katya Jones, as well as four new ones – Kai Widdrington, Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal and Nikita Kuzmin.
But after 16 years as a pro, Anton Du Beke, 55, has waltzed out of the dance line-up as he becomes a judge.
Comedian Robert Webb, 48, Loose Women's Judi Love, 41, and Team GB Olympian Adam Peaty, 26, are among the celebrity contestants this year – alongside ex-rugby player Ugo Monye, 38, EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, 52, TV presenter AJ Odudu, 33, and Dragons' Den investor Sara Davies, 37.
McFly member Tom Fletcher, 36, is competing, as are Coronation Street's Katie McGlynn, 28; BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker, 44; TV presenter Tilly Ramsay, 19; actor Greg Wise, 55, and CBBC host Rhys Stephenson, 27.
Great British Bake Off champ John Whaite, 33, will be the first male star to dance with a man – while EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, 26, will be the first-ever deaf contestant to appear in the series.