Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

As a seasoned performer with an impressive resume spanning over four decades, it is truly captivating to witness the diverse talents of these two contestants on Strictly Come Dancing.


Once again, Strictly Come Dancing makes its grand return, with the competitors for this year’s season starting to be unveiled.

During prime time, the beloved family show has found itself amidst a heated debate concerning the methods used by professional dancers to instruct the celebrities. There have been numerous allegations surfacing about instances of bullying and harsh treatment.

Despite this, the managers are pushing forward at high speed with the new season of the show, which signifies twenty years since Strictly has been on television.

Chris McCausland became the initial celebrity to be announced, promptly joined by stars such as JB Gill and Toyah Wilcox in quick succession.

As Strictly Come Dancing gears up for its comeback, let’s take a peek at the celebrities who have officially joined the lineup.

Chris McCausland

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

2024’s first celebrity contestant for the show, revealed as blind comedian Chris McCausland, made an appearance on This Morning on a Monday to share this exciting news.

For the very first time, the dance competition showcases a sign language performance, following its history with deaf actress Rose Ayling-Ellis from EastEnders who was victorious and received the Glitterball Trophy together with partner Giovanni Pearce in 2021.

Actor Chris, who is a comedian and also works for CBeebies, went blind at the age of 22 due to an inherited eye condition known as Retinitis Pigmentosa. (108 characters)

Previously, Chris shared his thoughts on accurate portrayal of disabilities in media with The Observer, stating, “The ideal approach is to make the disability invisible when feasible. It’s an integral aspect of a person, yet it should be secondary to their character and story.”

As a visually impaired individual who has navigated through the ups and downs of life, I firmly believe that representation matters, especially within the mainstream. My personal experiences have taught me the importance of seeing myself reflected in media and entertainment. While it’s great when people show interest and appreciate my humor, I feel that having a platform where only a small portion focuses on my blindness would make my stories more impactful and funnier. By doing so, I can engage audiences with a diverse range of topics, while still highlighting the unique perspective that comes from living with visual impairment. This approach not only makes my performances more enjoyable but also helps to normalize the experiences of those who are visually impaired, making them feel seen and understood in mainstream society.

JB Gill

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

Later on This Morning JLS star JB Gill was the second celeb confirmed. 

Initially, the singer gained recognition during the fifth season of The X Factor, eventually placing second alongside the other members of JLS in the competition.

Prior to disbanding in 2013, the band had already put out several albums. At that point, it was estimated that each member’s net worth was approximately £6 million.

JB continues the path taken by his fellow band member, Aston Merrygold, who was voted off in the tenth spot during the 2017 season of the competition.

The star is no stranger to Strictly as they emerged victorious in the Christmas Special of the BBC One dance competition back in 2012, partnering Ola Jordan for a lively Jive performance.

Regarding enrolling for the upcoming series, he mentioned that he had already participated in the holiday special, and it was an absolute blast!

“The dance was remarkably like what I did with JLS. Most ballroom dances feel quite foreign to me because I didn’t learn them as a child. To be clear, I’m not professionally trained in dancing.”

In my personal life, I, JB, am happily married to the graceful dancer Chloe Tangney. Together we are proud parents to our son Ace and our little girl Chiara. Outside of my music career, these precious relationships are what truly matter to me.

Dr. Punam Krishan

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

Punam Krishnan is an NHS GP and is one of the resident doctors on the BBC’s Morning Live.

Residing in Scotland, she frequently addresses health issues on both television programs and newspapers, and furthermore, she authored a children’s book.

“Punam shared with Vernon that she can hardly believe it, but she’s thrilled beyond words to be participating in this year’s Strictly competition.”

Year after year, I’ve cherished every moment of Strictly Come Dancing alongside my loved ones, and now, as we celebrate its 20th anniversary, I find myself beyond thrilled to be stepping onto that dance floor. It’s almost surreal to think that I will soon experience the Strictly magic firsthand. This venture undoubtedly lies far beyond my usual comfort zone, but with an indomitable spirit and unwavering determination, I am ready to embrace this incredible journey and give it my very best shot.

As a seasoned parent, I have seen my fair share of extraordinary moments that leave me in awe and bewilderment. One such instance occurred last night when the kids and I settled down to watch our favorite show. In an instant, I found myself leaping off the couch and landing on the TV screen! It’s hard to put into words what my children must have been thinking, but I suspect they were just as stunned as I was. How could something like this happen to someone like me, a person who has always prided herself on maintaining her composure and staying grounded? Life, it seems, has a knack for surprising us in the most unexpected ways. This experience has left me with a newfound appreciation for the unpredictability of life and a desire to embrace each moment as it comes, no matter how surreal it may be.

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

She eagerly anticipates seeking guidance from her Morning Live peers, Helen Skelton and Kym Marsh, who have previously participated in Strictly Come Dancing.

As a working mom myself, I can truly appreciate the incredible accomplishment of Helen Skelton and Kim Marsh. Being a parent while maintaining a successful career is no easy feat, yet these two women have managed to do it with grace and style. I find myself in awe of their ability to juggle family life and work responsibilities seamlessly, all while shining in every aspect of their lives. Their dedication and commitment are truly inspiring, and I am eager to learn more about how they’ve been able to achieve such a remarkable balance.

She expressed great excitement about the Pasodoble, stating, “It’s full of drama, it’s sensual – I can definitely see myself being drawn to it. I believe it will push my boundaries, but it’s the performance I eagerly anticipate every year.”

‘Its a pinch me moment for the 20th year and being a fan I’m so grateful for the opportunity.’

Wynne Evans 

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

As an ardent admirer, I can’t help but sing praises about Wynne! Spanning over two decades, his career has been nothing short of spectacular. He’s graced the charts with not one, but two number-one classical music albums – a feat that speaks volumes about his operatic prowess. Not only has he held principal roles at virtually every major opera house globally, but he’s also performed more than 200 times at the legendary Royal Albert Hall in London!

As a lifestyle aficionado, let me share an exhilarating experience I recently had. I was utterly astounded, for it felt like stepping into a world of cloak-and-daggers intrigue! You see, I was given a secret codename and invited to audition, where I met some renowned celebrities – an encounter that has become my absolute favorite.

‘I’m excited about the waltz, the traditional dance from the ballroom. Since I have a background in opera, I believe it will be a good fit for me.’

As an over-the-moon fanatic, what’s giving me butterflies is the leap-filled moves. Honestly, the thought of attempting the jive has me feeling a tad apprehensive, but with Bill Bailey as my inspiration, I’m determined to dive headfirst into it!

I’m treading more lightly throughout the house now, as I’ve purchased some dance shoes – they could be ballet flats or gym shoes. Along with them, I’ve got new equipment: a bag, pencil case, and notebook to jot down notes. I’m really excited about the elegance and sparkle these new items bring.

As a devoted admirer, I find myself humming the catchy tunes that have dominated recent advertisements, and now, to my surprise, the Strictly theme song has taken up residence in my thoughts.

At present, Wynne hosts a daily radio program on BBC Radio Wales, while earlier, he was also the host of radio programs on BBC Radio 3 and Classic FM.

He marveled at Strictly by saying, “It’s hard to believe, even after pinching myself, that I, a plump, bald opera singer, am participating in Strictly Come Dancing!”

As a seasoned traveler with years of adventure under my belt, I find myself standing at the precipice of another cultural exploration – this time, Wales. While I can’t help but feel a tinge of uncertainty about how I’ll adapt to the new environment, I take solace in the fact that I’ve weathered many storms before and learned the art of distraction when necessary. What I am certain of is my unwavering determination to give it my all, to immerse myself fully in this vibrant land, and to make Wales proud by showcasing the best of what I have to offer as a fellow global citizen.

Having tasted the sweet success of winning ‘Celebrity MasterChef’ last year, I’ve decided to infuse my passion for Opera into my daily routine. After all, I believe that the best way to win over people’s hearts is by sharing a piece of oneself, be it through music or food. So, here’s to creating delicious symphonies in the kitchen and operatic melodies in life!

Toyah Wilcox 

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Every celebrity contestant we know so far as Toyah Wilcox and Wynne Evans are latest stars confirmed

Toyah boasts a diverse career that spans multiple mediums. She has accumulated thirteen hits on the top 40 charts, produced twenty-five studio albums, penned two books, graced more than forty stage productions, starred in over twenty films, and hosted numerous television shows.

She fronted the eponymous band Toyah before branching out as a solo artist in the mid-1980s.  

In the year 2018, Toyah was honored with the Companionship of the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts by Paul McCartney, recognizing her exceptional achievements in music, theater, live performances, and the media.

Toyah appeared in the Radio 2 studio with Vernon and admitted she has been bursting to let the news slip, especially after performing at Glastonbury in June, saying the show will top off what has been an incredible year for her. 

‘I’ve done so many festivals and Glastonbury and I wanted to be like ‘guess what?!’.’

At the Avalon stage, I performed, but I repeatedly insisted that I wasn’t participating in Strictly. In essence, I wanted to ask the audience, “What do you think about my dance moves?”

“I’m absolutely thrilled and can’t get enough of this program. Being involved in it is like icing on the cake, with the added touch of a tan and glitter. This year holds great significance for me; I retired, attended Glastonbury, and now I’m getting spray tans too!”

Moreover, Toyah shares the same enthusiasm to collaborate with Wynne, a friend she’s known for more than three decades, as she mentioned to Vernon.

She admitted that the dances she’s most excited about include Salsa, Cha Cha Cha, although they might be a bit challenging for her.

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2024-08-06 18:10

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