BBC Strictly icon Lance Ellington's life – famous family, heartache and boyband link
Strictly Come Dancing is set to announce a new line up of celebrity contestants for 2024 as we take a look at the BBC show's singing sensation Lance Ellington
While all eyes tend to be on Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancers and their celebrity partners, with their twinkle toes tangoing away, the BBC show wouldn't be the same without the live musical accompaniment. Heard but rarely seen, the Strictly Come Dancing band is made up of four vocalists and a 15-piece orchestra.
One big voice in that arrangement is that of 67-year-old English singer, songwriter and actor Lance Ellington, who has been on the show since 2012. Speaking about his time on Strictly Come Dancing back in 2021, Lance said: "As a singer, it’s a dream come true. Even after 17 years I still can’t quite believe it!
"The BBC are amazing and so slick with the way they produce the show. But it’s scary performing when you know that any mistake will be heard by the nation.
"There’s quite a bit of pressure to do your homework and learn your song – then you just hope that it all goes well on the day."
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Sharing one of his most challenging moments, the singer added: "On Strictly you get to do an incredibly wide range of material. One of the times I won’t quickly forget is when I had to do Gangnam Style for Ed Balls to dance to. That was quite a challenge, let me tell you."
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Lance's impressive career
After leaving school, Lance entered and won the 1977 final of the television talent show, New Faces, as a member of the duo Koffee 'n' Kreme with singing partner Beth Hannah. Lance followed this with a tour alongside Johnny Mathis and a performance at the Royal Variety Show.
As well as regularly performing on the BBC over the years, Lance has worked with many of the world's top recording artists, including Sting, George Michael, Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Michael Jackson and many others.
He previously said that he felt "blessed" to have such amazing opportunities, saying: "I did two sessions with Michael Jackson. The second time he was in the studio and brought his kids. It was an amazing experience.
"It’s lovely to be sitting there face to face with these people you’ve admired in the business for many years. I feel very blessed."
In 1993, his single Lonely (We Have Lost Our Love) peaked at number 57 in the UK Singles Chart. He co-wrote the 1998 hit song One for Sorrow by Steps and Change The World by Westlife which was released in 1999.
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Lance's famous family
The singer appears to have inherited his musical side from his dad, Ray Ellington, who was an incredibly famous singer, drummer and bandleader known for his jazz and swing music.
Henry Pitts Brown, known professionally as Ray, was best known for his appearances on The Goon Show, a British radio comedy programme from the 50s.
In the 2004 film The Life And Death Of Peter Sellers, Lance played his father. Speaking about the role, Lance said: "I stood on the set and I felt tearful. There were similarities between Peter Seller's life and Dad's.
"Dad was away on tour a lot, but when he was there, he always had time for me."
Lance's daughter Lauren has followed his performer footsteps, and has appeared in West End productions. She also famously had an encounter with Canadian singer Justin Bieber in 2015.
