Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up: Confirmed cast

Topping the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard on this special week was actor Sarah Hadland, who wowed everyone with a stunning Couple's Choice to Kylie Minogue's smash-hit pop track Padam Padam.

Although she earned three 10s from Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke, she was kept from a perfect score by Craig Revel Horwood, who raised eyebrows with one particular complaint about her latest performance.

Another Strictly Come Dancing contestant to reach their current peak in Blackpool was comedian Chris McCausland, who earned his first 10s for a classy American Smooth that looks likely to keep him in the running for that coveted Glitterball trophy.

It was a less successful night for The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks, who left judges somewhat puzzled by his routine to Right Said Fred's I'm Too Sexy, which Craig hit with a particularly brutal '4'. Ouch!

Of course, the opinions of the judges are just one part of the Strictly equation as votes from members of the public can easily flip the contest on its head – tune in tomorrow night to find out who the next departing couple will be.

You can also find out more about last week's elimination here. As the cast brace themselves for another dance-off, get to know the contestants and their professional partners below.

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up: Full cast of confirmed contestants

Here is the full list of confirmed contestants in the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up.

• Chris McCausland
• JB Gill
• Wynne Evans
• Toyah Willcox - ELIMINATED in Week 3
• Dr Punam Krishan - ELIMINATED in Week 6
• Tasha Ghouri
• Pete Wicks
• Shayne Ward
• Sarah Hadland
• Tom Dean - ELIMINATED in Week 2
• Jamie Borthwick
• Montell Douglas
• Nick Knowles - ELIMINATED in Week 4
• Paul Merson - ELIMINATED in Week 5
• Sam Quek - ELIMINATED in Week 7

Here's all you need to know about the celebrities taking part...

Montell Douglas

Age: 38

Job: Olympian

Instagram: @montytrackstar

Montell Douglas has been a massive breakout star from BBC hit revival Gladiators and will now bring that fiery energy to Strictly Come Dancing 2024.

Speaking about joining, Montell Douglas said: "Strictly ARE YOU READY, Fire is here to light up the Ballroom. Wow, I am so honoured to have been asked to do the show. It is such an amazing thing to be a part of and I can’t wait to get started.

"Hopefully, a few of my Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble!"

Jamie Borthwick

Age: 30

Instagram: @jamie_b10

Job: Actor

After taking home the trophy for Strictly Come Dancing's Christmas special last year, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick has signed on to do the full show this year.

Borthwick is best known for his role in EastEnders as Jay Brown – which he has starred in since 2006.

Across his tenure, he has been nominated for a number of roles, including Best Dramatic Performance from a Young Actor or Actress, Best Soap Actor (Male) and Best Actor at various awards.

Sarah Hadland

Age: 53

Job: Actress

Instagram: @hadderstime

Sarah Hadland is an actress best known for her tole as Stevie Sutton in the BBC sitcom Miranda from 2009 to 2015, as well as Trish in The Job Lot from 2013 to 2015.

Her other acting roles in both TV and film include Horrible Histories, James Bond: Quantum of Solace and in Leap Year.

More recently, Hadland starred in the sci-fi series The Man Who Fell to Earth, but it was unfortunately cancelled after one season.

Hadland is no stranger to the stage either, having starred in adaptations of Cats, Grease and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Shayne Ward

Age: 39

Instagram: @shaynetward

Job: Actor and singer

Shayne Ward is a singer and actor, who rose to fame as the winner of the second series of The X Factor. Many will also recognise Ward for his portrayal of of Aidan Connor in Coronation Street from 2015 to 2018.

More recently, Shayne has starred alongside Catherine Tyldesley in Channel 5's The Good Ship Murder.

Pete Wicks

Age: 36

Instagram: @p_wicks01

Job: TV personality

Pete Wicks is a TV personality, best known for his time on reality series The Only Way Is Essex. Over the course of his career, Wicks has starred on a number of programmes including Ex on the Beach, Celebs Go Dating and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

Wicks reportedly "signed up" to Strictly Come Dancing earlier this summer, with a source telling The Sun he is "excited to get started".

"He isn't much of a dancer but that's what the BBC loved about him," they said. "They wanted the show to feel more like it did in the beginning. Pete is also going to attract young viewers who have followed his career since Towie."

When quizzed by OK! on the rumours, Wicks simply said: "I can't name you a show that I've not been rumoured to be doing. But never say never. It's been a wild year so far, I've been 'rumoured' to be doing everything."

Tasha Ghouri

Age: 25

Instagram: @tashaghouri

Job: Model and TV personality

Tasha Ghouri rose to fame on Love Island back in 2022, in which she coupled up with Andrew LePage throughout her time on the show, whom she is still in a relationship with today.

Tasha was the first deaf contestant to appear on Love Island and has been raising awareness for the deaf community ever since. Since then, Tasha has worked with Number 10 Downing Street, The Department of Education and MED-AL to champion issues close to her heart. She is a published author with her debut novel Hits Different and has her own podcast called Superpowers with Tasha.

Wynne Evans

Age: 52

Job: Singer and actor

Instagram: @wynneevans

Opera singer Wynne Evans became the third celebrity to be revealed as joining the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 line-up.

Best known for his role as Gio Compario in the Go Compare insurance adverts, but has also dabbled in various theatre performances including Andrew Lloyd Webber's 25th anniversary special of The Phantom of the Opera at the Royal Albert Hall.

He also has a daily radio show on BBC Radio Wales and has previously had radio shows on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

JB Gill

Age: 37

Job: Singer

Instagram: @jbgill

JB Gill is a singer best known for being a member of boy band JLS, who were the runners-up on The X Factor in 2008.

While the group disbanded in 2013, they reunited in 2020 for a reunion tour and have since been filling everyone will nostalgia with their various tours.

Gill previously appeared on and won the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special in 2012 following his Jive with former Strictly pro Ola Jordan.

Beyond JLS, Gill has appeared on Countryfile, The Jump and Celebrity MasterChef.

Chris McCausland

Age: 47

Job: Comedian

Instagram: @chrismccauslandcomedy

X: @chrismccausland

Chris McCausland is a comedian, who many people will recognise from the likes of Have I Got News for You, Would I Lie to You?, QI, The Last Leg and 8 out of 10 Cats Does Countdown.

McCausland, who became completely blind at the age of 22 after years of deterioration from retinitis pigmentosa, is the first blind contestant to take part in Strictly.

Speaking about joining the line-up, McCausland said: "If anybody out there is thinking, 'How the hell is he going to do that?' then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing. I don't dance, I haven't danced, I can't dance, I can't see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong? OK, don't answer that!"

Former Strictly Come Dancing 2024 contestants

Sam Quek - ELIMINATED in Week 7

Age: 35

Instagram: @samquek13

Job: TV personality and hockey player

Tom Dean might not be the only Olympian joining the 2024 Strictly line-up, with former Team GB hockey player Sam Quek also taking part.

"Sam has very much become a star in her own right in recent years, and has been carving out a niche as a presenter," an insider told The Sun.

"She'll also bring some much-needed glamour to this year's line-up."

Beyond her sporting days, Quek has presented and taken part in a number of TV programmes including A Question of Sport, Celebrity MasterChef and I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, among others.

Dr Punam Krishan - ELIMINATED in Week 6

Age: Unclear

Job: NHS doctor

Instagram: @drpunamkrishan
Punam Krishan is a resident GP on BBC's Morning Live and BBC Radio Scotland. Punam regularly reports on health news as a broadcaster on TV, radio and national newspapers and has also written her own children's book and she has some additional books coming up!

Paul Merson - ELIMINATED in Week 5

Age: 56

Job: Pundit and former footballer

Instagram: @paulmerseofficial

Paul Merson is a former footballer and manager, who played for Arsenal, Middlesbrough, Aston Villa - where he was made captain - and Portsmouth.

He was also part of many tournaments such as the FA Cup, the Euros and the World Cup. Beyond his football playing days, Merson became the manager of Walsall for two years between 2004 and 2006.

He now has an extensive media career which includes writing sports columns for the Daily Star and being a reporter on Sky Sports.

Nick Knowles - ELIMINATED in Week 4

Age: 61

Instagram: @nickknowles

Job: TV presenter

Nick Knowles is the latest celebrity to have signed up to Strictly Come Dancing after months of talks with show bosses.

"Nick has always loved Strictly and he is so excited," a source told The Sun. "He's got a great personality, is incredibly driven and competitive and is up for giving anything a crack.

"He's going on the show to entertain and to win. He'll give it his best shot."

Knowles is a TV presenter and musician, known known for presenting BBC series DIY SOS, which has broadcast over 32 seasons. He has been presenting the series since its launch in 1999, and is showing no signs of slowing down!

Knowles has been a mainstay on television for years, having presented various game shows including Who Dares Wins, Break the Safe and 5-Star Family Reunion.

Toyah Willcox - Eliminated in Week 3

Age: 66

Job: Singer

Instagram: @toyahofficial

Toyah Willcox is a decorated singer, with a career across 40 years in which she has had eight top 40 singles, released over 20 albums and has appeared in over 40 stage plays.

In 2018, Paul McCartney awarded her a Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts Companionship for Outstanding Achievement in music, drama, performance and media.

Tom Dean - Eliminated in Week 2

Age: 24

Instagram: @tomdean00

Job: Swimmer

While it's a no-brainer to keep things quiet if you have joined the Strictly Come Dancing line-up, Olympian Tom Dean was slightly loose-lipped as he accidentally confirmed he would be taking part in this year's competition.

After his Olympics win, the swimmer said of Strictly (as per PA): "Naturally you want to take a break after you've had a full Olympic cycle and the opportunity arose.

"I thought it would be really exciting to try something a bit different."

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday 9th November at 6:35pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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