Gladiator Montell Douglas joins present

Montell Douglas is the twelfth superstar to hitch this yr’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

The former Olympian is probably best-known to audiences for her position as Fire within the Daily News One collection Gladiators.

Douglas, 38, is the previous holder of the British lady’s 100m dash document and competed on the Beijing Winter Olympics bobsleigh workforce in 2022.

She informed the Daily News she was “so honoured to have been asked to do the show”, including that her “Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble”.

The information was revealed on the set of the Daily News present, which is at present being filmed in Sheffield.

She joins actor Jamie Borthwick and fellow OlympianTom Dean, who joined the road up on Thursday.

Three extra contestants are anticipated to be introduced within the coming days.

Dean stated he had by chance let the information slip throughout an interview final week, however the Daily News has now confirmed his participation.

Speaking on Thursday, the Olympic champion stated he was “excited to get into something new”.

Borthwick, greatest recognized for EastEnders, joked that he “hoped to be Salsa-ing around Albert Square in no time”.

Dean is a three-time Olympic champion. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, he made historical past as the primary British man to win a gold medal for the boys’s 200m swim freestyle in additional than 100 years.

He went on to win an extra gold medal in Tokyo and grow to be England’s most adorned athlete on the subsequent 2022 Commonwealth Games, successful a complete of seven medals.

More just lately, Dean introduced house his third gold medal for Team GB from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games within the workforce 4 x 200m freestyle relay.

In a press release, he stated: “I am taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024!

“You may have heard me accidentally say it poolside first… but now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing. Bring it on!”

Borthwick rose to fame for his portrayal as Jay Brown/Mitchell in BBC soap EastEnders.

He has starred in since 2006, making him one of the longest-serving actors on the show.

He has previously won a British Soap Award for best dramatic performance from a young actor, and an Inside Soap Award for best actor.

Borthwick’s participation in Strictly marks a return to the Elstree ballroom, after he won the 2023 Christmas special.

In a statement, Borthwick said: “I had a ball doing the Strictly Christmas special last year, so when I was asked to join for this series it was the easiest yes!

“This is a fresh challenge and it will be so different to be learning a new dance every week and for the public to have their say.

He added: “I’m hoping to be Salsa-ing around Albert Square in no time and I’ll be asking my Walford Strictly alumni for some words of wisdom. See you on the dancefloor!”

Here’s a rundown on the remainder of the 2024 Strictly solid to date:

Actress Sarah Hadland is greatest recognized for showing in movies and TV collection like Miranda Hart’s Daily News sitcom Miranda, in addition to kids’s present Horrible Histories.

She has additionally appeared in ITV’s comedy collection The Job Lot, for which she was nominated for a Royal Television Society Award, and her movie credit embody James Bond movie Quantum of Solace.

Hadland stated she was “particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year”.

“I cannot believe I am part of Strictly, I’m so ready for the glitz, glam and glitter and hopefully I can make everyone watching at home proud.”

Ward’s debut single That’s My Goal was the UK’s Christmas primary after he gained the second collection of ITV singing competitors The X Factor in 2005.

Since then, he has grow to be properly often known as an actor, enjoying Aidan Connor in ITV cleaning soap Coronation Street – successful him greatest newcomer on the National Television Awards.

He has additionally carried out in musicals like Rock of Ages within the West End and at present seems in crime drama collection The Good Ship Murder on Channel 5.

Ward says he was “buzzing to see all of the sparkles and magic that is Strictly in real life”.

“I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level. No promises on my dancing ability, but I will give it my best shot.”

Ghouri is a mannequin {and professional} dancer, and she or he stated she’s excited to be taught dance kinds she’s not skilled in on Strictly.

She starred on the 2022 collection of Love Island, the place she met her boyfriend Andrew Le Page.

The 25-year-old was born deaf, and makes use of a cochlear implant – a small digital machine that helps her to listen to.

She additionally just lately co-authored a romance novel, Hits Different, which contains a deaf character.

Her look comes three years after Rose Ayling-Ellis grew to become Strictly’s first deaf contestant, and went on to win.

“Pinch me, I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly Come Dancing!” Ghouri stated. “I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.”

Pete “the Pirate” Wicks first appeared on screens on The Only Way Is Essex in 2015.

He additionally often seems alongside his greatest buddy, Made In Chelsea’s Sam Thompson, and the pair have a podcast collectively, Staying Relevant.

Wicks has stated showing on Strictly is “terrifying”, however that he is “genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in”.

He can also be pals with Zara McDermott, who has spoken about having unfavourable experiences on the present final yr.

On Tuesday, sharing the announcement that Wicks could be on the present, she wrote: “I’ve never been so excited. Love you.”

Eighties popstar Toyah Willcox is accountable for 13 prime 40 singles, together with hits It’s A Mystery, I Want to Be Free and Brave New World.

And this yr, she performed Glastonbury along with her husband, Robert Fripp.

She’s additionally appeared in over 40 stage performs.

The Sun on Sunday beforehand reported that Willcox could be starring on Strictly, and she or he stated in April that she “wouldn’t say no” to the chance.

She informed Kay she had been “lying” to everybody as an try to preserve the key, and that she was trying ahead to the common spray tans.

Lots of people may recognise Wynne Evans because the face, and the voice, behind the Go Compare adverts.

Evans has had two primary classical music albums, and has given over 200 performances on the Royal Albert Hall in London.

He’s additionally turned his hand to presenting, he has a each day radio present on Daily News Radio Wales, and has offered on Daily News Radio 3 and Classic FM.

He additionally has a zest for cooking, as he gained Celebrity Masterchef final yr.

Evans says he’s “pinching” himself on the information, and “aims to make Wales proud”. He additionally informed Kay he’d be taking inspiration from Bill Bailey, who gained the present in 2020 with Oti Mabuse.

Dr Punam Krishan is switching docs’ scrubs for sequins.

The practising NHS GP is the resident physician on Daily News Morning Live and Daily News Radio Scotland, and she or he’s additionally written a kids’s ebook, in addition to newspaper columns.

“This still doesn’t feel real, I am overjoyed to be a contestant on this year’s show,” she stated.

“I have watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.

“This is so out of my consolation zone, however I’m up for the journey and can give it my absolute all.”

Chris McClausland was the first celeb to be confirmed for this year’s series, which also made him the show’s first blind contestant.

The comedian is a regular face on flagship comedy shows such as Have I Got News for You and QI.

Speaking to ITV’s This Morning on Monday, he said his participation in Strictly was the “worst stored secret” in showbusiness following weeks of newspaper reports.

The national disability charity, Sense, welcomed news that he was joining the show, calling it a “pivotal second” for disability representation.

“I do not dance, I have not danced, I am unable to dance, I am unable to see the dancing I should do. What can presumably go improper?,” joked McCausland, who lost his sight in his 20s.

JLS singer JB Gill was unveiled as the second celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly’s next series.

Gill said he was looking forward to “displaying off some new abilities” to his fellow bandmates.

He is one part of the wildly successful boy band JLS, who rose to fame on The X Factor and went on to have hits including Beat Again and Everybody In Love.

The singer said he loved his time dancing in the Strictly Christmas special over a decade ago.

But speaking on This Morning, he admitted that some of the routines like ballroom dancing were “fairly alien” to him.

“So it should be a studying curve for me,” he stated.

Strictly has been at the centre of controversy as claims have emerged about the treatment of some of the celebrities on the show.

The actress Amanda Abbington, who was paired with Giovanni Pernice, has said she found his alleged behaviour “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”.

Pernice’s spokesperson has previously denied any allegations of threatening or abusive behaviour. He will not be returning for the show’s series this year.

McDermott has said she was involved in incidents in the Strictly Come Dancing training room that she now finds “extremely distressing” to watch back.

A spokesman for her professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima, later admitted to BBC News that he had kicked McDermott once in a rehearsal last year. Di Prima has also left the show.

The BBC has said it will introduce measures to “strengthen welfare and help” on the show, including a chaperone who will be present “always” throughout coaching room rehearsals.