The line up for this year's series of Strictly has been announced and it's the first time we will have a TOWIE star on the show in the form of Pete Wicks, with Tasha Ghouri being the second Love Island contestant to take to the dance floor.
Tasha is following in the footsteps of Zara McDermott, who starred on the 2023 series although we have a feeling Tasha might fair just a little bit better then Zara did...
As we wait patiently for the first episode of Strictly 2024 here is a reminder of who took part in the dancing competition last year.
Which celebrities took part in Strictly 2023?
Les Dennis
The British presenter was the first celeb to be voted off, he claimed to have had "the best time" and chatted affectionately about his professional dancer partner, Nancy Xu.
He said, "This lady has been amazing, a great teacher, she’s really put me through my paces."
Nikita Kanda
Radio DJ, Nikita was voted off Strictly in episode three after facing Love Island 2018 star, Zara in the dance off. Performing alongside her professional partner, Gorka Márquez, Nikita's last dance was the Jive.
Jody Cundy
After dancing the salsa, Paralympian Jody Cundy faced comedian and presenter Eddie Kadi in the dance off and was picked by all four judges to be sent home.
Jody was matched with Jowita Przystal on the show and talking about his Strictly experience he revealed, "You know what, when I signed up for this I thought what an earth am I signing up for and we did that first live show and I absolutely loved every second of it. And just being able to dance and do something I've never done before and get completely out of my comfort zone and with this amazing person."
Eddie Kadi
Eddie faced Zara in the dance off and ended up being the next celeb to be voted off Strictly.
Chatting about his time on the show the comedian revealed, "This has been the highest moment of my career – it’s the happiest I’ve ever been, but not just for me – my family - my little baby girl is at home doing the Men in Black dance. More importantly, this little African boy, I just wanted my culture to shine."
Eddie was coupled with with strictly professional Karen Hauer who spoke about her and Eddie's future as friends, "We’re going to take up Congolese dancing. I just want to thank you so much for being so positive and bringing such light and smiling, just a beauty to all of us, I want to thank you so much.”
Zara McDermott
After finding herself in the dance off for the third time, Love Island 2018 bombshell Zara said goodbye to Strictly at the end of week six.
Her Halloween inspired Charleston wasn't enough to keep Zara in the competition when she found herself going head to head with actor Adam Thomas and his dance partner, Luba Mushtuk.
Adam Thomas
Speaking out following his exit, Adam Thomas said, "Seven weeks wow what a journey. I thought I would be leaving in week two so I'm proud of myself. I’ve had an amazing time from start to finish.
“I came here to learn how to dance but I’ve learnt so much more about myself. I have so much more confidence and self-belief, it's out of this world."
Krishnan Guru-Murthy
The celeb contestant who just missed out on dancing at Blackpool and was sent packing after they failed to make waves with their Samba was newsreader Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
Finding himself in the dance off with Angela Rippon, three of the judges chose to send him home with just head judge Shirley Ballas wanted to keep him in the competition.
Talking about his time on the show, Krishnan showed his love for dance partner Lauren Oakley.
He said, "The thing that has made Strictly really special is Lauren. She is most incredible teacher, partner, friend. She is the real Strictly star and I am so delighted I am the first partnership you have had. She is going to go a long way and I am very proud of her.”
Angela Rippon
Angela found herself in the dance off against Eastenders star Bobby Brazier in Blackpool, but the judges voted unanimously for Angela to be set home.
Talking about her Strictly experience, Angela spoke fondly of her dance partner Kai Widdrington, "He’s an old soul on young shoulders. He’s 28 and I’m 79; there’s a 51 year difference in our ages. He has looked after me so brilliantly; he’s a wonderful dancer, a great choreographer, but he’s a terrific teacher and he has the patience of a saint!"
Angela Scanlon
Angela found herself in the dance off against West End star, Layton Williams, after her Cha Cha failed to keep her safe.
Angela, who was partnered with professional Carlos Gu, opened up to Tess about her time on the show, "It’s been honestly incredible, I’m gutted, really gutted that it’s finished now, but it has been the most wonderful experience."
Nigel Harman
Soap star Nigel Harman and dance partner Katya Jones had to leave the competition due to Nigel sustaining a rib injury.
The duo returned to the show and chatted with Claudia about what had happened, the EastEnders actor revealed, “I was leaping off a rostrum and was about to be caught by some very handsome men, and as I flew I was Peter Pan and as I landed I was in A & E. So I've done something to my rib basically, and it's quite painful."
Katya opened up about her experience with Nigel and confessed, “It’s quite hard to talk right now, I’m not going to lie. I have absolutely loved every moment of us creating magic on the dance floor. I know the reasons you did this, for your daughter and for your parents and especially missing out on this number, I know your parents will be very, very proud of you.”
Anabel Croft
The former tennis pro found herself in the dance off against Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell.
Craig Revel Horwood was the only judge to choose for Annabel to stay with Motsi Mabuse, Anton du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas all picking for Annabel to be sent home.
Chatting to Tess about her Strictly experience, Annabel praised her professional partner Johannes Radebe, "It’s been an amazing, magical experience for me. Johannes, you have been absolutely extraordinary. You have given me a reason to get out of bed and come and dance with you, distract me and to heal me. I can’t thank you enough for that. You have been so patient, so caring and so loving. You are an unbelievably special human being. I simply adore you. Thank you so much."
Ellie Leach
Soap actress Ellie Leach and her dance partner Vito Coppola won Strictly 2023 on Saturday 16 December.
Bobby Brazier
British model and actor Bobby Brazier, best known for playing Freddie Slater on Eastenders danced with Dianne Buswell on the show and made it all the way to the final.
Layton Wiliams
Theatre star Layton has starred in Billy Elliot partnered with Nikita Kuzmin on the show and was a runner up alongside Bobby.
Amanda Abbington
British actress Amanda quit the show and cited "personal reasons," for her exit. Since the series came to an end she has been open about her struggles on the show and having Giovanni Pernice as her dancer partner.
When did Strictly 2023 air?
Strictly kicked off on the 23 September withe the finale airing 16 December.
Who won Strictly 2023?
Actress Ellie Leach took home the glitter ball trophy alongside professional dancer, Vito Coppola.
Who were the Strictly 2023 judges?
Strictly has been on our telly for nearly twenty years and in that time the judging panel has seen some changes. Besides Craig Revel Horwood, who is practically part of the furniture at this point.
2023 had the same judges as 2022, with Shirley Ballas as the head judge and Craig, Motsi Mabuse and ex-Strictly professional Anton Du Beke completing the line up.
What has Shirley Ballas said about Strictly 2023?
Closer previously caught up with head judge Shirley Ballas at our offices (honestly, it was like Miranda Priestly herself had entered the building) ahead of her huge challenge for suicide prevention charity Campaign Against Living Miserably.
During the candid chat, the conversation naturally veered in a Strictly direction, leading the head judge to spill some serious tea about the 'surprises' in store for the start of series 21 this autumn/winter.
Shirley revealed, "I always think to myself, ‘How is Sarah James [executive producer of Strictly] going to do something different?’, but she always does. She always pulls something out of the bag. I know she’s got surprises on the first week and some new things that make your eyes pop a bit."
If our eyes were ever going to physically pop at the hand of reality television – and somehow, we feel they will one day – we want Strictly to be the cause of it.
She did also admit, "The cast is phenomenal."
Shirley faced her fears during a CALM skyathlon. It involves the world’s fastest zip line, a wing walk and a skydive, with all proceeds going to the charity – which is close to Shirley’s heart after her brother died by suicide two decades ago.
You can donate to Shirley’s Skyathlon, go to thecalmzone.net/skyathlon. And if you’re struggling, talk to CALM on 0800 58 58 58 (UK) or through their webchat.