Strictly Come Dancing contestants 2015: Full line-up revealed as Kirsty Gallacher and Iwan Thomas join

See which other celebrities will be getting their dancing shoes on this September

Daisy Wyatt
Friday 28 August 2015 08:55 BST
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Sports broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher is hitting the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom
Sports broadcaster Kirsty Gallacher is hitting the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom

Strictly Come Dancing contestants will be taking to the dance floor again in September.

The celebrity line-up is finally complete, with the likes of Peter Andre, Jamelia and Ainsley Harriott preparing to don their glitzy costumes and dancing shoes for the heated ballroom competition.

It remains unknown who will be paired with which professional dancer, but take a look at whose waltzes and salsas you'll be judging:

Kirsty Gallacher

Who?: Sports broadcaster, currently on Sky Sports News

Age: 39

Dancing experience: Nothing notable, but she harbours a dream of being a flamenco dancer and Brucie is a close family friend.

She says: "Sport and fitness have always been a big part of my life but dancing is an entirely new challenge for me! I can't wait to get started!"

Iwan Thomas

Athlete Iwan Thomas is joining Strictly Come Dancing

Who?

Athlete and The One Show presenter

Age: 41

Dancing experience: He claims to be rubbish at dancing, but unofficially entered breakdancing contests at school and did Let's Dance for Sport's Relief.

He says: "I can't believe I'm swapping my running spikes for dancing shoes. I used to be quick at running around the track and I'm just hoping my dance partner doesn't leave me behind!"

Helen George

Actress Helen George has joined the Strictly line-up

Who?: Call The Midwife actress

Age: 31

Dancing experience: She trained in Musical Theatre at The Royal Academy of Music. Sounds like she'll know what she's doing.

She says: "I can't wait to get my tan and sequins on".

Jamelia

Who?: Singer and Loose Women host.

Age: 34

Dancing experience: Apparently dancing is "not her forté", although her video for "Superstar" tells a different story.

She says: "My girls are amazing dancers so I definitely want to learn a new skill so that I'll be able to give them a run for their money, and end them teasing me [about my dancing] once and for all!"

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Anita Rani

TV presenter Anita Rani has joined the Strictly Come Dancing line-up

Who?:

Countryfile presenter

Age: 37

Dancing experience: She likes to boogey on down to Beyonce.

She says: “So many elements of Strictly terrify me but I shall try and think #BeyonceAlwaysOnBeat as I hit the dance floor. I'm so excited to indulge that fantasy and hopefully learn some mean moves in the process."

Jay McGuiness

The Wanted's Jay McGuiness

Who?: Part of former boy band The Wanted

Age: 25

Dancing experience: Swaying and jumping around in videos for hit singles including "Glad You Came" and "Chasing the Sun".

He says: “My family are such huge Strictly fans, I know I've made them very happy by taking part - I can’t wait to get started! I love to dance but this is going to be so different from anything I have done before, I'm up for it!"

Boxer Anthony Ogogo

Who: Professional boxer who won bronze at the 2012 Olympics

Age: 26

Dancing Experience: He's used to physical training, even if it's not dancing. It's fair to say the boxer should be able to throw some serious weight around the dance floor.

He says: “I've faced a lot of tough opposition in the past, but I've never faced anyone as tough as the Strictly judges before! My Mum is a massive fan of the show so I will be trying my hardest to make her proud.”

Daniel O'Donnell

Irish crooner Daniel O'Donnell has joined Strictly

Who: Irish crooner and TV presenter

Age: 53

Dancing experience: Gentle swaying on stage to classic country songs.

He says: "I love to dance and boy am I looking forward to getting started and being the best that I can be!"

Peter Andre

Picture: BBC

Who: The singer turned reality TV star needs no introduction. We all know who this Strictly contestant is, for once.

Age: 42

Dancing experience: He's had experience of getting the moves down for routines to "Mysterious Girl" and "Flava", among other hits.

He says: "I’m flattered to have been asked to take part before, but due to certain work commitments was unable to. I now feel the time is right to give it a go - everything has just clicked into place to do it this year."

Carol Kirkwood

Carol Kirkwood

Who: BBC Breakfast Weather Presenter

Age: 53

Dancing experience: She has previously sung and danced on TV, and participated in special routines for Children in Need.

She says: “I can't wait to learn to dance and hope my experience on Strictly will be a breeze, whether it will be or not is one forecast I cannot predict!”

Katie Derham

BBC3 broadcaster Katie Derham

Who: The BBC Proms presenter

Age: 45

Dancing Experience: "I'm a typical wedding dancer...Two glasses of Prosecco and I'm truly fabulous. Or so I think."

She says: "Strictly Come Dancing is a national treasure. I'm extremely excited to be part of such a wonderful show."

Georgia May Foote

Former Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote

Who

: Former Coronation Street actress who played Katy Armstrong in the soap. She has also appeared in Life on Mars, Doctors, Casualty, Heartbeat, Emmerdale and This Is England '86.

Age: 24

Dancing experience: A fair amount. The actress says she enjoys dancing, but it is not known if she has received formal training.

They say: "I love dancing and I love a challenge so this is the perfect experience for me."

Kellie Bright

Linda Carter, played by Kellie Bright

Who: Linda Carter in EastEnders (in character above)

Age: 39

Dancing experience: She trained as an actor at the Sylvia Young Theatre school, which presumably involved some dance tuition as well.

They say: "If I said 'no' [to the show] Linda Carter would never forgive me!"

Ainsley Harriott will be getting his Salsa on in Strictly Come Dancing

Who: Celebrity chef extraordinaire, still hanging around from the late Nineties.

Age: 58

Dancing experience: Gliding around the kitchen

They say: "In my day job the only type of Salsa I know about is the one in my recipes"

Jeremy Vine

Who: Veteran broadcaster and journalist.

Age: 50

Dancing experience: Minimum

They say: "Now I just need to find some dancing shoes and identify my left foot."

More Strictly Come Dancing contestants will be announced in the next two weeks.

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