Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up rumours, start date and more

The nation’s favourite dancing show will soon be back

Strictly Come Dancing logo
Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is expected to start in autumn. (BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is two-stepping our way, with a brand new series set to arrive on BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

2023’s edition of the nation’s favourite dancing show came to a close just before Christmas and saw Coronation Street actor Ellie Leach emerge victorious after wowing the judges with her professional dancing partner Vito Coppola.

A brand new series comes with a brand new list of celebrity dancers — but who will be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024? Read on for all the details you need about the show’s return.

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is expected to start in autumn although an official release date has yet to be confirmed.

If previous series are anything to go by, we can perhaps expect to hear about the official lineup in July, while the show will start in mid-September and last until late December.

Hannah Waddingham poses on the green carpet upon arrival to attend The Olivier Awards
British actress Hannah Waddingham is rumoured to be taking part. (Getty)

The celebrity line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is still under lock and key but that hasn’t stopped rumours from making their way online.

While we wait for the full list of famous contestants to be unveiled, a wide range of celebrities have hit the rumour mill, with outlets claiming they are in various stages of considering signing up for the show.

From Ted Lasso star Hannah Waddingham, radio host Roman Kemp, Loose Women presenter Sophie Morgan and Lioness Jill Scott, to comedian Alan Carr, Wham’s Andrew Ridgeley and documentarian Louis Theroux, speculation has been as wild as it is varied.

Nitro on Gladiators
Nitro has shown some nifty moves on Gladiators, could they next be seen on the Strictly dancefloor? (BBC)

One of the latest names to be thrown into the rumour mix by The Sun are Tommy Fury and Gladiators star Nitro. The UK tabloid claims the BBC is close to signing a deal with 25-year-old Fury, who they hope will draw in younger viewers, while Nitro — real name Harry Aikines-Aryeetey — is also tipped to hit the Strictly dancefloor after making a cameo appearance in the 2023 edition.

British musician Toyah Wilcox arrives at the Ivor Novello awards 2014
British musician Toyah Wilcox is the latest name rumoured for Strictly 2024. (Getty)

A short time later, British music icon and actress Toyah Wilcox became the next name to be added to the growing list of possible dancers. Wilcox is set to perform at Glastonbury 2024 but has she also set her sights on the Strictly stage?

British comedian Chris McCausland is strongly tipped to be taking part in Strictly this year and would make history as the show's first ever blind contestant.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Chris McCausland attends the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Chris McCausland could make history on Strictly in 2024. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)

Burnley businessman Dave Fishwick is also rumoured to be joining the cast of Strictly in 2024. He recently found fame as the subject of the Netflix film The Bank of Dave, which charted the creation of his groundbreaking company Burnley Savings and Loan in 2011. It saw Dave battling the establishment to compete for the first banking licence to be issued in more than 150 years.

BURNLEY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 15: Dave Fishwick and Rory Kinnear attend the world premiere of Netflix's
Dave Fishwick with Rory Kinnear who played him in The Bank of Dave. (Anthony Devlin/Getty Images for Netflix)

The latest rumour from The Sun is that social media star Grace Keeling — known online as GK Barry — is being courted by the BBC to take to the Strictly dancefloor. Her huge online presence would be a surefire way to bring in younger audiences to the show.

LONDON, ENGLAND - AUGUST 08: Grace Keeling aka GK Barry attends the Maybelline x Mimi Webb Launch Party at Shoreditch House on August 8, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Dave Benett/Getty Images for Maybelline)
Grace Keeling aka GK Barry attends the Maybelline x Mimi Webb Launch Party in 2023. (Getty Images for Maybelline)

With a few months still to go until the show’s return, we can expect more names to be added to this list as Strictly fever continues to ramp up.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return to host Strictly Come Dancing. (BBC)

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are set to continue hosting Strictly Come Dancing 2024.

The pair have fronted the show since 2010 and despite the latter’s newfound success presenting The Traitors, there’s nothing to suggest the duo won’t return for Strictly’s upcoming series.

That said, an official announcement on who will host Strictly Come Dancing 2024 has yet to be made, so hypothetically anything could happen.

Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse
Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse. (BBC)

It wouldn’t be Strictly without the judges and this year, some familiar faces will be back behind the desk dishing out points and deciding the fate of our celebrity dancers

Hosts Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse will once again return to the judging panel.

Horwood has been with the show since its first outing in 2004, with Mabuse being the show’s most recent addition, joining back in 2017 and replacing former judge Dame Darcey Bussell.

Amy Dowden attends the BAFTA Cymru Awards 2022
Amy Dowden will return for Strictly 2024. (Getty)

The full line-up for Strictly Come Dancing 2024’s professional dancers was revealed in June, confirming which pros will be taking to the Strictly stage once more.

After missing out on last year's series due to illness and cancer treatment, professional dancer Amy Dowden will be making a return to the show while her fellow dancer Giovanni Pernice will sit this series out and not feature on 2024's edition.

The news comes amid multiple celebrity dancers expressing frustration with his training techniques and some stating that they were “uncomfortable” having him as their partner.

Other professional dancers confirmed to return include last year's winner Vito Coppola, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Dianne Buswell.

Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Primam, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, Nancy Xu and Carlos Gu will also be lacing up their dancing shoes for more Strictly.


Strictly Come Dancing is coming to BBC One and iPlayer in late 2024.