STRICTLY COME DANCING fever is upon us as the line-up for 2022 is announced.
Twelve names have been revealed so far. Here’s the celebs who are going to be waltzing and jiving in Strictly season 20.
Who is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 cast?
Hamza Yassin
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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.
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!
Fleur East
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Singer and radio star Fleur East is taking part in Strictly.
Speaking on Pop Hits radio, 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.
Tony Adams
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Football legend Tony Adams is swapping the pitch for the dancefloor.
The Sun On Sunday previously told how the 55-year-old former Arsenal star would be taking part in Strictly 2022.
Speaking to the BBC, 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.
Mollie Rainford
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CBBC star Molly Rainford is putting 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: “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!”
Ellie Taylor
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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.
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.”
Asked how she reacted to being asked, she revealed: “It was an immediate yes.
“I have wanted to do it for ever and more importantly my mum loves it.”
Matt Goss
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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: “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 continued, explaining how he needs to learn how to dance: “Somebody’s going to have to teach me, I have to learn.
“When I do my songs I move obviously but you don’t really know what you’re doing. To be judged on this show is actually exciting to me. I’ve got butterflies for the first time in three decades.”
Tyler West
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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.”
Ellie Simmonds
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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.
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.”
Jayde Adams
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Comedian Jayde Adams has been announced as the fifth contestant signed up to appear on the show.
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: “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.”
Kaye Adams
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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.
Richie Anderson
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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 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.”
Kym Marsh
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Former Corrie star Kym Marsh will be taking on Strictly.
The actress – who shot to fame in noughties pop band Hear’Say – is excited to throw herself into learning the different styles of dance.
And the Waterloo Road star has vowed to pass on her skills to husband Scott Ratcliff.
Kym told the BBC: “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!”
Will Mellor
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Actor Will Mellor was the first Strictly Come Dancing star to be revealed.
The cheeky chappy, who’s best known for his roles in Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps and Hollyoaks, will be taking to the dance floor for season 20.
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!”
Who is rumoured to be taking part?
Steph McGovern
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Strictly bosses are keen to sign Steph McGovern.
The Sun revealed how they hope it will be third time lucky, as they have asked the presenter of Channel 4’s Packed Lunch twice before, only to be turned down.
If she signs up, Steph will follow in the footsteps of her Packed Lunch co-star, chef John Whaite, who caused a sensation on the 2021 season with his same-sex pairing with pro Johannes Radebe .
A TV insider said: “Steph has the personality and profile which makes her a perfect choice in the eyes of Strictly producers.
“They completely understood why she’s had to say no in the past. She was just establishing Packed Lunch on Channel 4 and wanted to give that her complete attention.
“But now it is a firm fixture in the schedules. It was nominated for a Bafta earlier this year and only last month it was announced it had been recommissioned and will run into 2023.”
Bruce Grobbelaar
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The Sun exclusively revealed how bosses want former Liverpool goalie Bruce Grobbelaar to appear on Strictly.
The 64-year-old Zimbabwean with “spaghetti legs” is at the top of the BBC show’s list and bosses have already met him via online video call.
A source said: “Bosses are determined to get Grobbelaar to sign on the dotted line.
“Even getting him to agree to a meeting was a mission but so far he’s dragging his heels.
“He’s made it clear the only way he will sign up is if they agree a big money package.
“Producers are willing to splash out to get him but have a limit as to how much they can spend.”
Helen Skelton
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We revealed how Helen Skelton is one of the top targets for bosses on Strictly Come Dancing.
Sources say Helen, who has separated from rugby league star Richie Myler, has been in the casting team’s sights ever since she impressed as a contestant in the 2012 Strictly festive special.
An insider said: “Helen has been on the Strictly wishlist since she did the Christmas special but the timing has never been quite right for her to sign up.
“She relocated to France in 2015 for three years while Richie was playing there and has also taken time out for her three pregnancies.
“There was also the suggestion that Richie wasn’t sure about her taking part.
“But this year, the bosses feel the situation might be different.”
Adam Thomas
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The Sun exclusively revealed how Adam Thomas could be heading for the Strictly dance floor.
The 33-year-old brother of Coronation Street favourite Ryan Thomas is reportedly agreeing a deal with the BBC for series 20.
A source said: “Adam has got what it takes to win and is already practising his moves. And he’s got a big female fanbase.”
The actor, who played Adam Barton in Emmerdale, came third on 2016’s I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!
After leaving the ITV soap in 2018, Adam was announced as a host on I’m A Celeb’s spin-off show Extra Camp in 2019.
He also opened a restaurant and bar called The Spinn, in Stockport, in 2019.
When is Strictly 2022 on TV?
The Sun revealed how the pre-recorded launch show will be filmed on September 7, 2022.
And fans can apply for tickets to watch the show.
The live shows are then likely to kick off either late September or early October – but this hasn’t been confirmed.