It’s once again time to get your dancing shoes on as gears up for yet another series, coming back in 2023 for the 21st time.
The long-running ballroom competition was won in 2022 by celeb cameraman-turned-dancer Hamza Yassin and his professional partner Jowita Przystal.
Naturally, with the next series only two months away, rumours about the line-up for the 2023 competition have started, with many famous names in the running.
Among those slated to appear are an winner, a TV chef, a and Emmerdale actor, and a controversial former host.
Let’s get into it.
Jill Scott
The I’m A Celebrity winner wouldn’t be the first football player to trade the pitch for the ballroom – the Queen of the Jungle could be after another reality crown.
are reporting that the MBE is ‘heavily rumoured for this year’s series of Strictly, with BBC bosses reportedly keen to sign her up’.
Rylan Clark
Rylan, who made his name on the X Factor, would surely be keen to go far on Strictly – it’s a BBC show as well, so he wouldn’t have to travel far for episodes!
Rumours about Rylan taking part in Strictly this year have been inspired by his departure as presenter from sister show It Takes Two. He certainly has years of Strictly experience under his belt!
Gino D’Acampo
If his grandmother had wheels, she would have been a bike. And if Gino has dancing feet, he might trade in cooking for the cha cha cha.
Last year, Gino was strongly linked to be taking part in Strictly but ultimately wasn’t part of the line-up of competing celebrities.
An insider said BBC bosses were huge fans of his ‘universal appeal’ and that he was someone ‘more than capable of keeping audiences entertained’.
Phillip Schofield
After his dramatic departure from This Morning, rumours that Phillip Schofield could be joining the cast of Strictly 2023 were suddenly ‘more aggressive’.
A source told The Sun: ‘Phil is in the sights of Strictly. They would love to have him on board because of the publicity it would generate for the show.
‘Phil has been asked before but this time the offer was more aggressive,’ they added, indicating that the controversial host could be joining.
Angela Scanlon
This one is, by all accounts, a done deal. But until , Angela’s involvement in the 2023 series is still just a rumour.
Nick Knowles
Nick Knowles, a face and voice familiar to millions for years, might be up for finally giving Strictly a go after so long in the TV business.
Fans have been convinced Nick is going to put on his dancing shoes after a he posted a video of himself busting a move on Instagram earlier this year.
Josie Gibson
Josie is , as the TV presenter is reportedly of interest to both the BBC and ITV for their reality shows.
A source told : ‘BBC bosses are desperate for her to appear on Strictly as she’s exactly the kind of warm, engaging person they love — one who will always be a hit with viewers.’
Adam Thomas
Could Adam Thomas, brother to former Coronation Street actor Ryan, be set to join Strictly? His brother’s co-star, Tina O’Brien, was eliminated in week 4 in 2010.
Apparently Adam wants to experience the dreaded ‘’ and was last year.
Matt and Emma Willis
Matt would be the first member of Busted to appear on Strictly – although Charlie’s recent appearance on The Masked Singer might have inspired him.
Matt and Emma were , almost immediately after Hamza won the competition and shortly after its Christmas special.
‘Strictly are desperate to get a celebrity couple on the show and Emma and Matt were in negotiations for the last series,’ an insider said at the time.
Priya Davdra
Priya Davdra joined EastEnders in 2019, playing the first Muslim lesbian character to live on Albert Square, and left in 2022. Could she be on the BBC’s shortlist?
A source told: Priya was singled out as a target for the casting team early in the process and they were keen. She is young, glamorous and would be a great fit for the show.’
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year.
