It’s that time of year again, over the past 2 weeks the BBC has been rolling out the lineups at a painstakingly slow pace.
They’ve drip-fed us the contestants one by one, and finally, the full cast is revealed for the 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing!
We’re pleased to see midsters are taking center stage, with the average age of contestants being 41, while 48-year-old Tess Daly and 45-year-old Claudia Winkleman will be picking up their usual reigns as Strictly co-hosts and 56-year-old Shirley Ballas will be replacing fan-favourite Len Goodman as head judge.
So who are the contestants? Here’s all you need to know about the 2017 cohort of budding dancers.
The Confirmed Full Lineup:
- Alexandra Burke
- Aston Merrygold
- Brian Conley
- Charlotte Hawkins
- Chizzy Akudolu
- Davood Ghadami
- Debbie McGee
- Gemma Atkinson
- Joe Mcfadden
- Jonnie Peacock
- Mollie King
- Simon Rimmer
- Susan Calman
- Rev Richard Coles
- Ruth Langford
A Closer Look At The Midsters Competing This Year…
Looks like we’re in for a great series and we’re pleased to see 9 out of the 15 contestants are midsters, aged 40 and beyond with Debbie McGee being the oldest contestant at 58, bringing the positive ageing message nation-wide and putting the outdated stereotypes surrounding this age group to rest.
1. Brian Conley, 56
55-year-old Brian Conley is a veteran of the entertainment industry with a career spanning 41 years. He made a household name from ‘The Brian Conley’ show in the 90s, which became Britain’s most watched entertainment programme and earnt him the catchphrase ‘It’s a puppet!’.
2. Charlotte Hawkins, 42
Charlotte Hawkins is the stunning news reader on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. She’s following the footsteps of co-presenters Susanna Reid and Kate Garraway by appearing on Strictly.
3. Chizzy Akudolu, 43
The actor and comedian is most-known for her portrayal of Mo Effanga on Holby City, which has recently ended after 5 years.
4. Debbie McGee, 58
“@LeukaemiaCAREuk Supporting Blood Cancer Awareness Month. @thedebbiemcgee pic.twitter.com/53dAQ0rbK0”
— Debbie McGee (@thedebbiemcgee) September 23, 2014
The star rose to prominence for being the magician’s assistant for her late husband Paul Daniels.
“The excitement is overwhelming. I can’t stop smiling. It’s been the hardest secret I have ever had to keep!” Said McGee, speaking about appearing on the show.
5. Joe Mcfadden, 41
Another actor from much-loved Hospital drama, Holby City. Mcfadden plays doctor Raffaello di Lucca.
6. Simon Rimmer, 54
A familiar face to British Television, Simon Rimmer is co-host of Sunday Brunch. He’s also a food writer and owns 9 restaurants.
7. Susan Calman, 42
Both of these pictures are of me. I can be both a kick ass time travelling lesbian and a bombshell in a dress. That's the joy of Strictly. pic.twitter.com/4EiLv7DV0K
— Susan Calman (@SusanCalman) August 29, 2017
A Scottish comedian who makes regular appearances on panel shows including QI, Have I got News For You and Mock Of The Week. The comic is also a regular on radio 4.
8. Rev Richard Coles, 55
The only UK vicar to have a hit single (three, actually) when he was in the Communards in the 80s. He hosts BBC radio 4’s Saturday Night Live.
9. Ruth Langford, 57
A co-presenter of ITV’s This morning since the 2000s, and How The Other Half lives on channel 5, she’s a familiar face to British Television, with a presenting career spanning over two decades.
It looks like we’re in for a fantastic 15th installment of the UK’s favourite Dancing show, with midsters at the forefront!
Strictly Come Dancing 2017 starts in late September on BBC One.
What do you think of this year’s line up? Let us known in the comments!
