Strictly Come Dancing is gearing up to return for the show’s 20th anniversary as the show faces an ongoing scandal regarding the conduct of the BBC show’s professional dancers. The 22nd series arrives as the programme faces scrutiny over the treatment of some of its celebrity participants. Two professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima , have now left the show following allegations made about their conduct during training .
Pernice has denied allegations of “threatening and abusive behaviour,” while Di Prima said in a statement he “deeply regrets” kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during a rehearsal. The tumultuous series will air from a not-yet-revealed date this autumn and will once again be hosted by the glittering duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. The eagle-eyed Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse will be returning to the judges’ table.
As with previous seasons, Strictly’s celebrity contestants have been announced in drip feed announcements by the BBC. The official list has now been complete and includes reality stars, singers, comedians and more. Meet them all below.
.. Jamie Borthwick Actor Jamie Borthwick is known for his long-term role in the BBC soap EastEnders, which he has starred in as Jay Brown/Mitchell since 2006.
He is now one of the longest-serving actors on the show. Borthwick previously appeared on the Strictly Christmas Special in 2023, and took home the trophy for his slick move.