- New Contestants Announced for Strictly Come Dancing
- Varied Lineup: Radio Host, Soap Star, News Anchor, and Actress
- Age and Diversity: Oldest Contestant and Controversy Surrounding Jennifer Abbington
Nikita Kanda is the most recent contestant to join this season’s Strictly Come Dancing.
On the program, she appears alongside Adam Thomas, Zara McDermot, Angela Scanlon, Eddie Kadi, Amanda Abbington, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Angela Rippon, and Layton Williams.
Kanda is the host of the radio station’s morning program and a regular contributor to the One program.
I keep touching myself.”
I don’t think it’ll strike me till the dancefloor. My excitement to get ready and leave the house.
The presenter, who was recently nominated for presenter of the year at the Asian Media Awards, has interviewed Sandra Oh of Killing Eve, Kate Sharma and Charithra Chandran of Bridgerton, and Awkwafina and Nick Jonas of the Jonas Brothers.
As part of her television work, she has investigated the rise of electronic businesses and government support for female sports.
Hamza Yassin, the host of programs like Animal Park and Let’s Go for a Walk, won Strictly last year.
This year’s series will premiere in the autumn, with Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, and Motsi Mabuse serving as judges.
The following contestants have been announced thus far for this season’s Strictly Come Dancing:
David Thomas
Thomas won the 2010 TV Choice Award for best soap rookie for his portrayal of Adam Barton in the ITV soap opera Emmerdale.
He was “so excited” to be participating in Strictly this year. “I’ve been a huge fan of the show for so many years, I can’t believe I’m participating!”
“I cannot dance to save my life, but I’m excited to learn and have fun with my instructor. Bring me to the dance floor! I am ecstatic!”
Following his participation in the 2016 season of ITV’s I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Thomas co-hosted the spin-off I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp.
In 2020, the soap star joined forces with his siblings and fellow Mancs on the Mic podcasters Ryan and Scott for a six-part ITV travel series titled Absolutely India: Mancs in Mumbai, in which they traced their family history alongside their father.
Angela Rippon, host of Rip-Off Britain, will be the show’s oldest contestant, surpassing Johnny Ball, who participated in 2012 at the age of 74.
Rippon commented, “Why didn’t they ask me 10 years ago?”
She was the first woman to consistently present the BBC national television news.
She famously appeared in a sketch with the comedy duo Morecambe and Wise, hosted the 1977 Eurovision Song Contest, and presented the ITV breakfast program TV-am.
Rippon stated, “Having been a fan of Strictly since its inception and having previously hosted Come Dancing, this will be quite the adventure for me.”
“A frightening one, given that I am about to turn 79. However, I’m looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps learning how to dance the Argentine Tango!”
Professor Krishnan Guru-Murthy
Guru-Murthy is the primary anchor for the Channel 4 News broadcast. After Jon Snow, he is the second-longest-serving presenter on the show, having joined in 1998.
The journalist said, “I’m surprised, delighted, and a little confused to find myself participating in Strictly based on ‘you only live once.'”
“I can’t wait to begin dancing lessons, but my general decrepitude causes me some concern.”
Last year, Guru-Murthy was temporarily suspended after he was overheard using an epithet to describe a Conservative minister, for which he “unreservedly” apologized.
Jennifer Abington
Abbington is famous for Sherlock and Mr. Selfridge and The Son.
The actress stated, “I am ecstatic to have been invited to participate in Strictly. This will be a wonderful opportunity for me to overcome my shyness and self-consciousness.
“Additionally, I will be learning to perform, which I am extremely excited about. My family and acquaintances will attest to the fact that I am quite competitive, so I am also looking forward to the training. “I cannot wait to begin!”
She stated that her primary motivation for participating was to humiliate her children, adding that she is perimenopausal and wants to “grab the bull by the horns.”
However, some fans have claimed they will boycott the show after Abbington’s controversial remarks about drag performances earlier this year, in which he questioned whether young children should observe or participate in sexually charged drag performances.
Abbington stated in a recent Instagram video that she “loved drag” and was not transphobic, adding: “Personally speaking, I don’t think 12-year-olds should be performing in drag shows in overtly sexual ways because they’re 12 and they need a childhood.”
