Strictly 2022 - CONFIRMED Celebrity Line-up

This morning on BBC Breakfast Time the first celebrity contestant in 2022 Strictly Come Dancing was announced.

Actor Will Mellow will don the sequins for the new series and has been a familiar face on our TV screens for almost 30 years appearing in hit series such as Coronation Street, Hollyoaks, Casualty, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Waterloo Road and more. He did do a stage musical about 30 years ago but says that is the limit of his dance skills and feels totally out of his depth.

More announcements to follow on this thread as another announcement is imminent on this morning's Breakfast Time. Watch this space.....

The second celebrity for the 20th series has just been announced on BBC Breakfast Time.

Morning Live presenter Kym Marsh will take to the dance floor. Kym does admit to some dance school as a child and in college but nothing like she will have to learn for Strictly.

Therefore we now know two of our celebrities for Strictly 2022. More to follow Will Mellor and Kym Marsh in the coming days.

With the first announcements you get the sense that the new series is on the horizon. This year feels like a year of big change for Strictly. The loss of two of the most popular pro dancers Alijaz and Oti is huge. Also the realisation that B.runo Tonioli is finished as a judge with Strictly is sad news for me. The new incoming pro dancers have massive shoes to fill and, no doubt, it will take time for them to play their way into the hearts of the fans - if they can. Uncertain times and a start of a new era it feels like.

Hello CC

Thanks for the update. I just read the news elsewhere so I thought I'd better start showing my face. Looking forward to the new series. I shall also miss Br uno. I know he could be hyper, but I think he did also come out with some positive suggestions. Let's hope An ton continues his great start last season.

3rd confirmed celebrity is TV & Radio 2 Traffic presenter, Richie Anderson. I wondered if he'd be showing up. He's a massive Strictly fan

4th Confirmed contestant is Kaye Adams, Journalist, TV & Radio Presenter

B4p wrote:3rd confirmed celebrity is TV & Radio 2 Traffic presenter, Richie Anderson. I wondered if he'd be showing up. He's a massive Strictly fan

Apparently, he will make up this series' same sex couple so presuming he will be paired with Johannes.

5th confirmed celebrity is Jayde Adams - actor, presenter, and comedian

B4p wrote:5th confirmed celebrity is Jayde Adams - actor, presenter, and comedian

Real potential for the comedy act of the series.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Real potential for the comedy act of the series.

I'm not sure I know Jayde, but as always, I'm pleased to see anyone brave enough to do the show

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Apparently, he will make up this series' same-sex couple so presuming he will be paired with Johannes.

I know in previous years, Graziano and Neil have both said they'd be up for being in a same-sex couple. I guess it will depend on the contestant's heights to some extent. I hope all the pros get the chance to mix and match if they want to. I wouldn't want to think that the same professionals get that role every year. Who knows, Richie could end up partnering a female?

I hope that the rules around lifts will be reinforced this year. Some contestants last year seemed to spend more time walking in the air than on the dance floor.

6th confirmed celebrity is para Olympic gold medallist swimmer and TV presenter Ellie Simmonds

B4p wrote:6th confirmed celebrity is para Olympic gold medallist swimmer and TV presenter Ellie Simmonds

An interesting addition. Now I am not anti-diabled or sizeist (is that a word) but her size will make it impossible for her to be paired with a pro dancer anywhere near her height. I wish her all the best though and will be interesting to see how she gets on.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

An interesting addition. Now I am not anti-diabled or sizeist (is that a word) but her size will make it impossible for her to be paired with a pro dancer anywhere near her height. I wish her all the best though and will be interesting to see how she gets on.

I think the gymnast Claudia Fragapane was only about 4'7?

I guess she'll be partnered with the shortest male which I think at the moment is Gorka. It's always interesting with the shorter female contestants, do they end up being constant cannon fodder and shot into space at the slightest excuse, like Lulu with Brendan, or will their choreography be more floor based? Ellie will be wearing heels, and even though they may be small ones, they should help bridge the gap.

Thinking back, there have been very tall male contestants that have been matched with much shorter female pro dancers and despite the 'crick' in their necks, they seemed to adapt quite well.

They're being announced thick and fast now (the announcements, not the contestants!)

7th confirmed celebrity is DJ, TV and Radio presenter, Tyler West

8th confirmed celebrity is singer and frontman of 'Bros', Matt Goss

some grumbles on the BBC site, as he previously did a Christmas Special with Aliona

9th confirmed celebrity is comedian, broadcaster, writer, and actor, Ellie Taylor

I'm guessing they'll be announcing the younger contestants last?

B4p wrote:8th confirmed celebrity is singer and frontman of 'Bros', Matt Goss

some grumbles on the BBC site, as he previously did a Christmas Special with Aliona

Pretty certain we have had former Christmas contestants returning for the main show before.

10th confirmed celebrity is singer and actress Molly Rainford.

CaledonianCraig wrote:

Pretty certain we have had former Christmas contestants returning for the main show before.

You're right. I'm not sure if they used to penalise them by losing one week of training but I don't think they do that anymore?

B4p wrote:
You're right. I'm not sure if they used to penalise them by losing one week of training but I don't think they do that anymore?

That would be pointless considering they have celebs who have had much more dance school training without any punishments.

11th confirmed celebrity is Tony Adams, former England footballer and manager.

12th confirmed celebrity is singer-songwriter, TV, and radio presenter, Fleur East.

13th confirmed celebrity is wild-life cameraman and presenter, Hamza Yassin.