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Meet our first three celebrities for Strictly 2020!

It’s September and that means Strictly season is back and we’re ready to reveal our line-up for a brand new series! Tonight actress Caroline Quentin, former American footballer Jason Bell and Singer Max George were announced as our first three signings for Strictly 2020 on The One Show.

Caroline Quentin

Award-winning actress, broadcaster and national treasure, Caroline Quentin is well known for a wide range of acting roles including Maddie in Jonathan Creek, DCI Janine Lewis in Blue Murder, plus star roles in Kiss Me Kate, Life Begins and Life of Riley. Best known for starring as Dorothy in hit sitcom Men Behaving Badly, Caroline has also presented a number of documentaries, as well as two very successful series of Extraordinary Homes for BBC Two, and performed with the Royal Shakespeare Company in 2019.

Jason Bell

A former professional American footballer, Jason played as a cornerback/safety in the National Football League for the Dallas Cowboys. He then played for the Houston Texans, where he was named a recipient of the Ed Block Courage Award, one of the league's highest honors. He finished his professional career with the New York Giants. Jason now co-hosts The Jason & Osi Podcast with fellow NFL Alum Osi Umenyiora. Alongside Osi he presents the NFL Show on BBC.

Max George

Max shot to fame as a member of The Wanted. The band had two number 1 singles in the UK and reached the top 3 in the US Billboard charts. After The Wanted took a break, Max moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career and starred in the 6th season of Glee as Clint. More recently he has returned to music as a solo artist.

More reveals to come soon! In the meantime, let us know what you think of our line-up so far below. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook for the latest news on our reveals.

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I know he is likely to be rubbish, but I like Bill Bailey.

 

 

Lucky number seven? Bill Bailey is the seventh celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly 2020

Award winning comedian, musician and actor Bill Bailey became our seventh Strictly celebrity, revealed this morning by Zoe Ball on the Radio 2 Breakfast Show.

Bill said: β€œIn these are strange times we're living through, it feels right to do something different and take on a new challenge. So I am delighted to be a part of this year's unique Strictly Come Dancing. My late mum Madrin would have loved it - I hope she'll be watching.”

Bill Bailey is a comedian, musician, author, documentary-maker and keen outdoors enthusiast best known for his live comedy and for the TV shows Black Books, Never Mind the Buzzcocks and QI . Bill is constantly in demand as an internationally touring comedian, and his live shows always feature ingenious and original musical elements drawing on Bill’s skills as a classically trained musician and multi-instrumentalist.

His unique ability to entertain and educate was brilliantly demonstrated in his award-winning show, Bill Bailey’s Remarkable Guide to the Orchestra, where he performed with the BBC Concert Orchestra.

Bill joins Caroline Quentin, Jason BellMax GeorgeRanvir SinghClara Amfo and Nicola Adams OBE in our line-up. Follow us on TwitterInstagram and Facebook for all the latest news on our reveals.

Enthusiastic Contrafibularities

 

Catching up on the ones I missed.

 

 

Olympian Nicola Adams OBE is our sixth celebrity contestant confirmed for 2020!

Olympic gold medallist boxer Nicola Adams revealed she was joining the show on this morning’s BBC Breakfast.

Nicola said β€œI’m really excited to be joining this year’s incredible line-up for Strictly ComeDancing. I’m a huge fan of the show and am thrilled to be part of something that holds such a special place in so many people’s hearts. People might know me from my work in the ring, but I’ll be every bit as passionate and dedicated on the dancefloor too. I also wanted to thank the BBC for supporting me and making me the first ever all female-pairing; and it’s amazing to be a part of the movement for change, diversity and breaking boundaries in the entertainment industry.”

Nicola became the first female amateur boxer to win an Olympic gold medal at London 2012 and double Olympic champion following her second gold medal win in Rio 2016 as well as being the first boxer in history to retain an Olympic title. Having also become World Amateur Champion in May 2016 she secured a grand slam of titles, and is the only female boxer in the history of the sport to have won every major title available to her; Olympic, World, European and Commonwealth.

In recognition of her services to boxing and unprecedented achievement, Nicola was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2013 New Year’s Honours list. She was then made an OBE in the 2016 New Year’s Honours list.

She recently retired from the sport with an undefeated record and held the WBO female flyweight title in 2019.

Nicola joins Caroline Quentin, Jason Bell, Max GeorgeRanvir Singh and Clara Amfo in our class of 2020. Follow us on TwitterInstagram and Facebook for all the latest reveals

Enthusiastic Contrafibularities

 

From GMB to SCD Ranvir Singh is our fourth celebrity contestant!

 

Ranvir Singh is a journalist and presenter, best known as the Political Editor for ITV’s Good Morning Britain, anchor for ITV’s Tonight and newsreader on ITN.

Ranvir said: β€œThe initial feeling of being confirmed for Strictly is one of complete terror – feels like embarking on a rollercoaster, where you really want to do it but you are equally scared. Hopefully after the first dance I will feel exhilarated rather than sick!”

Ranvir was born and raised in Preston. Following her time at Lancashire University, she spent 12 years at the BBC as a producer, reporter and presenter. She co-presented BBC North West Tonight and in 2010 was awarded β€˜Best On Screen Talent’ at the Royal Television Society’s North West Awards. As a regular newsreader on ITN news and anchor for ITV’s Tonight, 2019 was a very busy year for Ranvir, culminating in interviewing some of the top political leaders ahead of the General Election.

Ranvir has fronted several ITV primetime factual series including Eat, Shop, Save, and has co-presented The Martin Lewis Show Live. She also recently fronted Loose Women. Alongside her television work, Ranvir has presented on various shows for BBC 5 Live.

She joins Caroline Quentin, Jason Bell and Max George in our line-up. For all the latest news on our reveals follow us on TwitterInstagram and Facebook.

Enthusiastic Contrafibularities
@Baz posted:

Yayyyy ....one week to go then Thanks El Will we still be able to pin the thread next week ?

Yes, I or one of the others can do that when you want You may need to prompt us closer to the time. Strictly isn't a programme I've ever watched

One of my clients for whom I do tax returns is a dance teacher. Some years ago she went to one of Bruce's one man shows. This was at the time he hosted Strictly. As part of his show he would ask a woman in the audience to join him on stage to do a bit of dancing with him. Generally, he would treat this as a bit of fun and teasing her in a gentle way. He was quite surprised when he realised that my client really could dance

El Loro

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