September 14th 2024.
Get ready, because Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is coming back with a bang! Last month, the BBC officially announced the full line-up of 15 celebrities who will be competing for the coveted Glitterball Trophy. Fans are buzzing with excitement, but there has also been some criticism about the gender imbalance in this year's line-up, with nine male celebrities and only six female stars.
This controversy comes after the show has faced allegations of misconduct by professional dancers behind the scenes. Giovanni Pernice has denied accusations of being "nasty" and "bullying" by his former partner Amanda Abbington, while Graziano Di Prima clarified that he never intended to kick his partner Zara McDermott, insisting that his foot only brushed her after kicking the floor. Both dancers will not be part of the professional line-up for the 2024 series.
Despite the mixed reactions from fans, the excitement for the new season is still palpable. Want to be the first to get all the latest news and rumors from the Strictly dancefloor? Join our Strictly Come Dancing WhatsApp channel to stay updated on all the behind-the-scenes gossip about your favorite pros, judges, and celebrities. Simply click on the link and select "Join Chat" to be a part of our Strictly community. Don't forget to turn on notifications so you can catch the latest spoilers as soon as they drop. Let's keep dancing!
The gender imbalance in this year's line-up has caught the attention of many, with some calling it "odd" and "very noticeable." One Reddit user expressed their disappointment, stating that it wasn't the best start to the 20th year of the show. But a BBC spokesperson addressed these concerns, saying that the casting process aims to have a good mix of celebrities from diverse backgrounds, and there is no strict rule regarding the gender split.
So, who are the celebrities competing for the Glitterball Trophy this year? Let's find out! First up is Chris McCausland, who made history as the first blind contestant on the show. The comedian, known for his appearances on TV shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Would I Lie To You?, expressed his excitement and nervousness about the competition. "I don't dance, I haven't danced, I can't dance, I can't see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong?" he joked.
Joining him is JB Gill, who rose to fame as part of the boyband JLS when they competed on The X Factor in 2008. He previously won the Strictly Christmas special in 2012 and is eager to show off his skills to his former bandmates. Opera singer Wynne Evans, best known for his iconic Go Compare adverts, is also joining the cast. The 52-year-old joked about using his love for opera in one of his routines and possibly winning the judges' hearts through their stomachs, after winning Celebrity MasterChef last year.
Next, we have Toyah Willcox, who fronted the band Toyah in the late 70s and early 80s before pursuing a solo career. The 66-year-old is no stranger to performing, but she admits that dancing is a whole new ballgame for her. Lastly, we have Dr. Punam Krishan, the resident doctor on BBC's Morning Live. She is excited to be a part of the 20th year of Strictly and plans to give it her all, despite being out of her comfort zone.
But that's not all! Tasha Ghouri, who rose to fame on Love Island, will also be competing. She will become the second deaf celebrity to take part in the competition after Rose Ayling-Ellis. And last but not least, we have Pete Wicks, who was announced by his best friend Sam Thompson on his BBC Radio 2 show. Sam couldn't contain his excitement, and we can't wait to see what Pete will bring to the dancefloor.
The cast for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is full of diverse and talented individuals, and we can't wait to see them in action. Will you be tuning in to watch this year's competition? Let us know in the comments!
Get ready, dance fans! The much-anticipated line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 has been revealed, with 15 celebrities officially joining the cast as the show returns to our screens. While there is plenty of excitement for the new season of the beloved BBC series, there has also been some criticism among fans over the gender imbalance of this year's line-up. With nine male celebrities and only six female stars, some have expressed disappointment and concern.
This comes on the heels of recent controversy surrounding the show, as allegations against professional dancers behind the scenes have surfaced. Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have both faced accusations, with Giovanni denying allegations of being 'nasty' and 'bullying' by his former partner Amanda Abbington, and Graziano insisting that his foot only 'brushed' his partner Zara McDermott after he kicked the floor. As a result, both dancers are no longer part of the professional line-up for the 2024 series.
Despite the criticism and controversy, Strictly fans are eagerly anticipating the return of the show. In fact, Metro has even created a dedicated Strictly community on WhatsApp for fans to stay updated on all the latest news, rumors, and behind-the-scenes gossip about their favorite pros, judges, and celebrities. Simply click on the link and join the chat to be the first to know about all the juicy details, and don't forget to turn on notifications!
Fans have been quick to react to the gender imbalance in this year's line-up, with one Reddit user calling it 'odd' and another noting that it was 'very noticeable'. The conversation has sparked a debate among fans, with some expressing concerns about the lack of diversity and others defending the show's casting process. But regardless of the controversy, the excitement for the new season remains high.
So who will be competing for the coveted Glitterball Trophy this year? Let's take a look at the confirmed celebrities in the cast for Strictly Come Dancing 2024.
First up is Chris McCausland, who made history as the first blind contestant on the programme. The 47-year-old comedian, known for his appearances on shows like 8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown and Would I Lie To You?, was confirmed as a contestant on ITV's This Morning. He admits to feeling nervous about the challenge but is determined to give it his all. Next is JB Gill, best known as a member of the boyband JLS, who previously won the Strictly Christmas special in 2012. The 37-year-old singer is looking forward to showing off some new skills and making his JLS bandmates proud.
Opera singer Wynne Evans, famous for his iconic Go Compare adverts, will also be hitting the dancefloor this year. The 52-year-old has been in the entertainment industry for 25 years and has performed at prestigious venues like the Royal Albert Hall. He jokes about using his opera skills to charm the judges, as he previously won Celebrity MasterChef in 2023. Singer and actress Toyah Willcox, who fronted her band Toyah in the late 1970s and early 1980s, is also competing this year. The 66-year-old is no stranger to performing and is excited for the challenge of Strictly.
Dr Punam Krishan, the resident doctor on BBC's Morning Live, is also joining the cast. As a practising GP and health news reporter, Dr Punam has a busy schedule but is thrilled to be part of the 20th year of Strictly. Tasha Ghouri, who rose to fame on Love Island in 2022, will also be competing. The 26-year-old is the second Deaf celebrity to take part in the show, following in the footsteps of Rose Ayling-Ellis.
Reality TV star Pete Wicks, best known for his appearance on TOWIE, will also be stepping onto the dancefloor. His best friend and Made in Chelsea star Sam Thompson couldn't contain his excitement, and fans are eagerly anticipating their supportive friendship during the competition.
With such a diverse and talented line-up, Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is sure to be a season to remember. Get ready to root for your favorite celebrities and see who will take home the Glitterball Trophy this year!
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