Who is else is excited that our favourite celebrity dance competition is nearly here, airing tomorrow Saturday 18th September? In the run up to the show, we wanted to look at this year’s line-up to get us in the mood for the upcoming glitz and glamour.
All these great contestants will feature with their dance partners in the new official Strictly Come Dancing 2022 square wall calendar. You can preorder yours now at https://bit.ly/StrictlySquareCal2022
JUDI LOVE
The first celebrity is the hilarious Judi Love, who is a comedian and a presenter. She is no stranger to a bit of competition as she took part in last years ‘Celebrity Master Chef.’ This ‘Loose Women’ panellist is loved by many with her witty comments and hysterical remarks.
Fun facts about Judi Love
Judi is known for producing a host of viral online comedy sketches that have acquired a huge following on social media.
She has a regular column in OK Magazine.
GREG WISE
The second celebrity in this all-star line-up is actor, writer, and producer Greg Wise. This incredibility talented man has been a part of movies, theatre, and television. He stared in the comedy ‘Johnny English’ as well as the feel-good movie ‘Walking on Sunshine.’ He also had a part in the popular TV series ‘The Crown.’ Greg, along with his wife Emma Thompson, wrote the much-loved movie of 2019 ‘Last Christmas.’
Fun facts about Greg Wise
He wrote the book ‘Not That Kind of Love’ with his late sister Clare Wise.
Greg’s breakout role was in Sense and Sensibility.
ROBERT WEBB
The third celebrity is BAFTA award-winning actor, author and a comedian, Robert Webb. Famous for comedic TV series ‘That Mitchell and Webb Look’ and ‘Peep Show.’ Webb is also a regular comedy panellist, appearing in shows such as ‘The Bubble’, ‘Have I Got News for You’, ‘Was It Something I Said’, and ‘Argumental.’
Fun facts about Robert Webb
Robert is an acclaimed author, his memoir, ‘How Not to Be A Boy’, become a No.1 Sunday Times Best Seller.
His debut novel, Come Again, was published last year.
SARA DAVIES
Sara Davies MBE is the fourth contestant. She is a British entrepreneur, and television personality. Sara foundered Crafter's Companion which is a global manufacturer of paper crafting tools, art supplies, rubber stamps and other craft accessories. This legendary woman hosted craft show ‘Be Creative’ back in 2015, as well as joining the ‘Dragons Den’ panel in 2019.
Fun Facts about Sara Davies MBE
Sara was the youngest ever dragon on popular BBC show Dragons’ Den
She was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) for services to the economy.
KATIE MCGLYNN
The Fifth competitor is Katie McGlynn, who is mostly known for her role as Sinead Tinker in Coronation Street. This star has also featured in Waterloo Road and is currently starring in Hollyoaks as Becky Quentin. This actress is a proud patron of a charity called Mummy’s Star after her pregnancy role on coronation street.
Fun facts about Katie McGlynn
Katie has won a National Television Award for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020.
She was nominated for a BAFTA for her work as Sinead in Coronation Street.
DAN WALKER
Dan Walker is the sixth participant and presents for news programs like ‘BBC Breakfast’ and ‘BBC Radio 5 Live.’ He reports for sports shows such as ‘Match of the day’ and ‘Final score.’
Fun facts about Dan Walker
Dan has presented and reported at Wimbledon, The Open, The Derby at Epsom, and the Six Nations.
Dan is also an amazing writer, with his most recent book, Remarkable People, published last year.
JOHN WHAITE
Next up we have John Whaite. An English baker John won the third season of the ‘Great British Bake Off.’ This contestant has a weekly cooking slot on ITV’s morning show ‘Steph’s Packed Lunch,’ as well as presenting and judging cooking competition ‘Chopping Block.’
Fun facts about John Whaite
He has published 5 cookery books.
John runs his own cookery school called John Whaite’s Kitchen.
NINA WADIA
Nina Wadia is the next celebrity. She is most renowned for her role as Zainab Masood in ‘EastEnders.’ However, since leaving ‘EastEnders’, she has appeared in the live action remake of ‘Aladdin. ‘
Fun facts about Nina Wadia
Nina starred in theatre productions such as Tony award-winning ‘The Vagina Monologues.’
She received an OBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List for her services to charity and entertainment.
AJ ODUDU
AJ Odudu is a British television presenter who has helped co-present both ‘Big Brother Bit on The Side, and ‘Celebrity Big Brother Bit on the side.’ More recently AJ has been a backstage presenter for ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Voice Kids.’
Fun facts about AJ Odudu
She has hosted the red carpets for the BRITS and the TV BAFTA Awards 2021.
AJ has written articles for Vogue and is Contributing Editor for Grazia Magazine.
TOM FLETCHER
Tom Fletcher is a man of many talents. Known as a singer, musician, songwriter, composer, author, and YouTube vlogger, he is best known for being the lead vocalist and guitarist in McFly.
Fun facts about Tom Fletcher
Tom has composed ten UK number one single for McFly, as well as writing a number of chart-topping songs for bands such as One Direction, Busted and 5 Seconds of Summer.
Tom is also one of the UK’s bestselling authors for children, with his books such as ‘The Christmasaurus’, ‘The Creakers’ and ‘There’s a Monster in Your Book’.
RHYS STEPHENSON
Rhys Stephenson is the eleventh star and is a children’s presenter and actor. He has worked across multiple children’s programming on the BBC. Some of his work includes Blue Peter, Saturday Mash-Up! The Dengineers and Newsround.
Fun facts about Rhys Stephenson
Rhys is an ambassador for Place2Be which is a charity that provides mental health services in schools.
Rhys has been a part of the biggest shows across CBBC channel.
TILLY RAMSAY
Tilly Ramsay is a television presenter, a chef and a social media influencer. She is the daughter of one of the most famous chefs Gordon Ramsay and is best known for her family cooking show on CBBC titled ‘Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch.’
Fun facts about Tilly Ramsay
She has over 9.5 million followers on Tok-tok.
In 2017, Matilda published a book called ‘Matilda & The Ramsay Bunch: Tilly’s Kitchen Takeover.’
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS
‘EastEnders’ star Rose Ayling-Ellis is the next competitor. Not only is she the first ever deaf actor to play a deaf character in ‘EastEnders’ but she will also be the first deaf contestant on ‘Strictly Come Dancing.’
Fun facts about Rose Ayling-Ellis
Rose’s first television role was on Casualty.
She has also appeared in TV show Summer of Rockets.
ADAM PEATY
One of the UK’s best swimmers, Adam Peaty MBE, will be swapping his swim shorts for glitzy sequins. Adam won the gold medal for the 100-metre breaststroke at the 2016 Summer Olympics and achieved two gold medals and a silver at Tokyo 2020. Adam has made history by becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title.
Fun facts about Adam Peaty
Adam was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 New Year Honours, for services to swimming.
He is the holder of the world record in 50 metre and 100 metre breaststroke events.
UGO MONYE
Last and certainly not least is Ugo Monye, who is an incredible ex England Rugby player. He has appeared alongside Paddy McGuinness in the sports quiz show ‘Question of Sports’ as a team captain. Ugo also presents ‘Rugby Union Weekly.’
Fun facts about Ugo Monye
Ugo has made a commitment to make rugby more accessible for all, which has seen him be named the first ever Chairman of England Rugby’s new Diversity and Inclusion committee.
Ugo has hosted rugby coverage for BT Sport and ITV.
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We hope you enjoyed this round up of the stars, who are you most excited to see?
Plus, why not take a look at our Strictly Come Dancing calendar and card collection now at https://danilo.com/collections/strictly-come-dancing-cards
