It won’t be long before Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens, but who would be included in the lineup this year?
Strict has been on the BBC for nearly 20 years and aired its first series in 2004.
For 2022, the panel from 2021 will remain the same, after Bruno Tonioli confirmed that he would not be returning to his role.
Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel HorwoodMotsi Mabuse and Chief Judge Shirley Ballas will all re-evaluate the contestants as they confirmed their spots earlier this year.
Elsewhere, four new professional dancers will be featured on our screens, bringing the total number to 20 – the highest ever on the show.
Those newbies are Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas.
Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya JonesNeil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu have already been confirmed for Strictly’s upcoming run.
But who are the rumors about this year’s lineup? Here are all the names that have been put forward so far.
Who is rumored for the Strictly 2022 lineup?
Rosie Jones
The beloved comedian, who has cerebral palsy, revealed she would definitely be up for a stint on Strictly Come Dancing after participating in Comic Relief’s opera challenge in March.
When asked if she would be interested in hitting the famous dance floor, she said: metro.co.uk earlier this year: ‘Yes, absolutely!
“I’d say what drives me is that growing up, with cerebral palsy, I didn’t see anyone like me [on TV]. What I try to do in my work and my comedy is to tell people that yes, I can speak slower and I wobble a little bit, but it doesn’t stop me.’
She added how inspiring she has found previous winner Rose Ayling-Ellis: ‘Over the past few years people like Rose Ayling-Ellis on Strictly have just shown that disability is not a disadvantage and it will never stop me! It’s about showing people that anything is possible… bring it on!’
Mike Tindall and Lady Louise Windsor
Earlier this summer it was claimed that producers were hoping to sign Mike Tindall and Lady Louise Windsor.
“The team is doing everything it can,” said an insider. “In the year of the Platinum Jubilee, it was a real priority.”
The source added to The sun“It would be an incredible coup to bring in a royal.”
English rugby star Mike, 43, who is married to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara, is probably on the radars of producers for a while.
Lady Louise, daughter of Prince Edward and Sophie, Countess of Wessex, recently came into the public eye during the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
The publication claims that other royal names are floating around for the new Strictly series, including model and socialite Lady Amelia Windsor, 26, who is the granddaughter of the Duke of Kent.
But will we eventually get a royal on Strictly Come Dancing? Check out this space!
Tony Adams
Rumor has it that the legendary footballer, 55, has already signed up for this year’s series, but has not been known for his grace in the past.
Nicknamed ‘Donkey’ in his early playing days due to his inelegant style of defense, he became a star at Arsenal and was also England captain.
A source told The sun on Sunday: ‘This is going to be a fantastic year for Strictly. They are thrilled to have brought a football legend of Tony’s stature to the table.”
Another source added: ‘Tony is a really good sport and has a great sense of humor which people will see for themselves on the Strictly dance floor. He is also not afraid of a challenge and will really get stuck in it.
“Tony is very enthusiastic about Strictly. He is a better mover than people think. He really takes care of himself, much more than most over-50s. So he might be in for a few surprises. His future dance partners may want to be a little wary when it comes to hitchhiking – he does have a bit of shape to let go when it comes down to it.”
Kym Marsh
Ex-Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh retired from her longtime role in the ITV soap last year and currently presents Morning Live alongside Gethin Jones and other famous faces.
There have been rumors in the past about Kym for the show, with producers reportedly “pulling out all the stops” to get her on the dance floor this year.
She would be the latest in a long line of cobblestone favorites to sample the Strictly glamour, after Katie McGlynn took on the competition last year – but will she end up on our screens?
Scarlett Moffatt
TV favorite Scarlett is no stranger to winning the hearts of the nation, having previously won I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! back in 2016.
But it looks like she’s eager to give the dance floor a whirl, having shown interest in the series in the past.
When asked by digital spy if she were game to sign up last summer, she joked, “The Strictly folks think I’m this professional dancer because I do a few dances on TikTok. I think everyone thinks I’m a professional dancer.
‘I just love to dance. It just makes you happy. I would sign up for anything that makes you happy.’
Adam Thomas
Former Emmerdale actor is another name reportedly sought after by bosses, eager to have him as a bit of eye candy for the ladies, according to The sun.
Adam is the twin brother of Scott Thomas, who appeared on the second season of Love Island, and his older brother is Ryan Thomas, Coronation Street alumni.
Before returning to the BBC in the highly anticipated new Waterloo Road series, to reprise his role as Dante Charles, Adam said according to MailOnline: ‘Bring it on, I like a bit of glitz and glamour.
“I wanted to say something then, but it might be blown out of context…I just want to experience the Strictly Curse!”
When can Strictly 2022 start?
The 2022 series of Strictly Come Dancing will air on BBC One in the fall, with the series generally starting on a Saturday night.
The dance competition usually starts in mid to late September, with the cast often announced one at a time in late August.
But the BBC has not set an official date yet. Metro.co.uk will update this story when there is more information.
Who won Strictly 2021?
Fans saw Rose Ayling-Ellis lift the Glitterball trophy back in 2021together with partner Giovanni Pernice.
Rose was the very first deaf contestant to join the program and stunned home viewers with her dancing skills.
Earlier this year, the link won Bafta’s Must See TV Momentvoted for by the public for their silent dance to Clean Bandit’s song Symphony.
But who will follow in her footsteps and win the latest series?
Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One later this year.
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