Alexandra Burke, Jonnie Peacock and Katherine Hawkins are some of the latest stars to join the line-up for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
This year's series will see the return of judges Craig Revel-Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcey Bussell, with new addition Shirley Ballas, who is replacing Len Goodman as Head Judge.
See the full line-up of all fifteen celebrities putting on their dancing shoes this Autumn, all with a chance of winning the glitterball trophy.
Mollie King
Mollie King is known for being part of popular girl band The Saturdays, with multiple number one singles and over five million singles sold worldwide.
She has also been working on a solo album, and her solo single 'Back To You' was released last year.
King is not the first Saturday to appear on the show. Her bandmate Frankie Bridge competed on the show alongside professional dancer Kevin Clifton in 2014, coming runner up alongside Blue singer Simon Webbe and his dance partner Kristinna Rihanoff.
King said: “I'm a huge fan of Strictly Come Dancing so I can't actually believe I'm lucky enough to be taking part in it this year! I'm literally so excited to learn latin and ballroom dancing, and of course I can’t wait to get into the sequins too! It’s going to be a lot of hard work but I'm ready for the challenge.”
Davood Ghadami
Davood Ghadami's arrival to the show was announced on Strictly's Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Ghadami is a British actor, best known for playing Kush Kazemi in EastEnders; he also won Best Newcomer at the TV Choice Awards for this role.
His first TV appearance was in The Bill and his other work includes Doctor Who, The Omid Djalili Show and Silent Witness.
Ghadami said: “Having the opportunity to take part in this year’s Strictly is such an honour. It’s going to be exciting, challenging and terrifying all at once and I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to dance. See you under the Glitterball!"
Ruth Langsford
Ruth Langsford is the third celebrity confirmed for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. Her arrival was announced on This Morning.
Langsford is a host on Loose Women and This Morning, which she presents with husband Eamonn Holmes. She also has a drive for everything fashion and has recently started hosting her own show Ruth Langsford’s Fashion Edit on QVC.
Ruth said: “I have dreamt about doing Strictly for so long, I can't quite believe my dream has come true! The sum of my dance experience is throwing a few shapes at a party, I've never had a dance lesson in my life. Without doubt it will be the scariest yet most exciting thing I've ever done. It'll be a welcome change worrying about my next hot move instead of my next hot flush!"
Gemma Atkinson
Gemma Atkinson is the fourth celebrity competing in the new series of Strictly. The news of her arrival was announced on BBC Breakfast.
Atkinson is an actress and radio presenter, known for playing Lisa Hunter for four years in Hollyoaks.
She has since played Tamzin Bayle in Casualty and most recently seen in Emmerdale as Carly Hope, where she was nominated for Best Newcomer at the National Television Awards last year.
Atkinson said: “I am honoured to be asked and so thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 2017! I'm beyond excited and incredibly nervous but I am looking forward to learning a new skill in ballroom and Latin dancing and taking on this new challenge.”
Reverend Richard Coles
Reverend Richard Coles is the fifth celebrity announced for the 2017 Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
Coles is a Church of England priest, broadcaster and former member of the British pop duo The Communards, known for 1980s hits Don't Leave Me This Way and Never Can Say Goodbye.
The former musician is currently the Vicar of Finedon, Chancellor of the University of Northampton and a co-presenter on BBC Radio 4's Saturday Live.
He is also a regular contributor to the Chris Evans Breakfast Show segment 'Pause for Thought', BBC One’s Have I Got News For You and QI.
“Cometh the hour, cometh the overweight Vicar with arthritis in his knees,” joked Coles about his upcoming turn on the dance floor.
Joe McFadden
Joe McFadden is named the sixth celebrity to enter this year's Strictly Come Dancing competition.
He is best known for his role as Raffaello ‘Raf’ di Lucca in BBC One's Holby City, having previously starred as PC Joe Mason in Heartbeat and appeared in shows such as Take the High Road, The Crow Road and Sex, Chips & Rock ‘n’ Roll.
The Scottish actor has also starred in West End shows including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and Rent.
McFadden expressed his excitement at his newest venture, and said, “Strictly is one of the biggest, most entertaining shows on TV and being asked to be part of it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m thrilled and terrified about in equal measures!”
Simon Rimmer
Simon Rimmer is the seventh star to be unveiled as a contestant on this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
Rimmer is a presenter and chef on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch and has presented shows such as Tricks of the Restaurant Trade, Great British Menu and Win It, Cook It.
In addition to his television career, he owns nine restaurants in England and Dubai and is an established food writer, with five successful cookbooks under his belt.
“I am so excited, terrified and proud to be invited to be part of Strictly 2017," said Rimmer. "I've always been a HUUUUGE fan of the show. When I put on my sequins and hit the floor it will genuinely be my very first time dancing ballroom and latin."
He promised, "Nobody will try harder, have more fun or get more out of it than me. I can't wait.”
Aston Merrygold
Singer-songwriter Aston Merrygold is the eighth star to join Strictly Come Dancing 2017.
The singer shot to fame in 2008 when his band JLS came second on The X Factor.
The boyband sold over ten million records worldwide, won a MOBO award, appeared in their own film JLS – Eyes Wide Open and had five number one hits including Beat Again and Everybody in Love.
The band announced their split in 2013 and performed for the last time at their UK arena tour Goodbye: The Greatest Hits.
Merrygold has since been a judge on British talent show Got to Dance for Sky 1 and has performed as a solo artist, with his single Get Stupid reaching the UK Top 40.
“I’m so happy to be joining Strictly," said Merrygold. "It is such a brilliant show and I’ve followed it for years. I’m both nervous and excited to learn from the professionals about a whole new way of dancing!”
Susan Calman
Susan Calman is the ninth celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing 2017 line-up.
The Scottish comedian, who hosted the RTS Craft and Design Awards in 2015, is a regular contributor to BBC Radio 4 and has recently finished production for the second series of her sitcom Sisters.
She has appeared on radio shows such as The News Quiz, The Unbelievable Truth and I’m Sorry I Haven't a Clue and hosts CBBC quiz show Top Class, as well as new daytime shows The Boss and Armchair Detectives.
In addition to her work in radio and television, she has toured across the country with her stand-up show The Calman Before the Storm and has written a best-selling book Cheer Up Love: Adventures in Depression with the Crab of Hate.
“Being on Strictly is a dream come true," said Calman. "Finally I can reveal all the moves I've been practising in my kitchen to the nation."
She added, "I am an enthusiastic home dancer and now on Saturday nights I'll be dancing in other people’s homes in a (hopefully) entertaining way. I am terrified but excited to start my Strictly journey.”
Brian Conley
Comedian, actor and TV presenter Brian Conley will be taking to the dance floor in a bid to win this year's glitterball trophy.
Conley became a househould name when his entertainment series The Brian Conley Show launched in 1992, where he coined his catchphrase "It's a puppet!"
Since then, Conley has starred on film, television and the West End stage and this year will perform in his thirty-fifth pantomine.
Conley said he was "delighted" to be taking part in this year's Strictly.
"My family all love the show and can't wait to see me do my Dad dancing on national television," he added. "I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work but I'm up for the challenge, so bring on the spray tan and sequins."
Charlotte Hawkins
Newsreader Charlotte Hawkins is one of the most recent contestants announced for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Beginning her journalistic career in 1999 as a reporter and newsreader for LBC Radio, she then moved on to ITV Meridian.
Hawkins is currently an anchor on ITV's Good Morning Britain, having previously worked at Sky News on Sunrise with Eamonn Holmes, as well as hosting her own show of breaking news and interviews.
Charlotte said: "I am so thrilled to be one of the contestants on Strictly this year! I've always been a big fan of the show. It is a dream come true to be taking part and I'll be following in the footsteps of my Good Morning Britain colleagues. I'm looking forward to stepping out from behind the news desk to cha-cha-cha my way across the dancefloor!"
Chizzy Akudolu
Actress Andrea Chizoba ‘Chizzy’ Akudolu is the twelfth celebrity to join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.
She is best-known for playing heart surgeon Mo Effanga in BBC One’s Holby City for five years.
During her time on Holby City, she won the award for Best Newcomer at the Black International Film Festival and Music Video and Screen Awards as well as Best Actress in the same year at the BEFFTA Awards.
Some of her other TV appearances include The Inbetweeners, EastEnders and Silent Witness.
Chizzy said: “When I was 13, I made the finals of a disco dancing competition once but there was this amazing girl who exploded onto the stage with a gorgeous sequined costume, throwing glitter everywhere… I knew it was game over for me. That was then, this is now and this is my chance to have even more sequins!”
Debbie McGee
TV personality and presenter Debbie McGee is the thirteenth celebrity putting on her dancing shoes for the new series.
McGee achieved national and international fame through television appearances with her late husband Paul Daniels, and featured alongside him on The Paul Daniels Magic Show on BBC One.
She also presents her own Sunday morning show on BBC Radio Berkshire.
McGee said: “There are no words to describe how I feel about performing on Strictly Come Dancing. The excitement is overwhelming. I can’t stop smiling. It’s been the hardest secret I have ever had to keep!”
Jonnie Peacock
Jonnie Peacock is also set to join the line-up for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.
Peacock is a double Paralympic, World and European T44 100m Champion. He is a below the knee amputee, as he contracted meningitis when he was five.
He won his first Paralympic Gold in London 2012 and has won every major event that he’s entered so far, including the 2016 Paralympic Games and the 2017 World Championships this summer.
Peacock said: “The opportunity to be the first contestant with a disability to take part in Strictly’s main show was too good to turn down. I’ve got no previous dance history outside of the occasional ‘worm’ at a mate’s party and I know this will be a challenge and a new experience. I can’t wait to see what I can achieve and how far I can push myself.”
Alexandra Burke
Alexandra Burke is the final contestant to be announced to join the new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Burke is a West End performer and singer who shot to fame after winning The X Factor in 2008.
Her debut single Hallellujah sold over one million copies and it became the top selling single for that year in the UK, which was a first for a British female solo artist. Her other hit singles include Broken Heels, All Night Long and Elephant.
She is currently starring in Sister Act in the lead role of Doloris Van Cartier in the UK.
Burke said: “I am so excited to be joining this year’s Strictly cast! I love this show and have followed it from the beginning, so being able to be a part of it is just a dream come true for me - I still can’t believe it! I am very nervous as I am a singer not a dancer, but I am going to give this my absolute everything and try my best to make everyone proud.”
Strictly Come Dancing will shimmy back onto our screens this autumn.
