Strictly Come Dancing’s full 2023 lineup: Final contestant is revealed as comedy legend – completing the show’s oldest ever cast

The full lineup for Strictly Come Dancing 2023 has been revealed, with comedy legend Les Dennis confirmed to complete as part of the oldest ever cast in the series’ history. 

The much-anticipated new series is set to feature big names from the worlds of sport, comedy, broadcasting and drama, as they don heir dance shoes and sequins for the gruelling competition.

On Friday, veteran presenter and stage star Les, 69, was unveiled on Good Morning Britain as the final celebrity taking part, joining veteran performer Angela Rippon, 78, in the lineup.

The new series will kick off in September, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returning as hosts, while Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel-Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse back on the judging panel.

So, as fans prepare to see 15 stars battle it out at the Glitterball trophy, MailOnline has the full lineup hitting the Strictly floor in 2023….

Les Dennis

The Mail On Sunday first reported. that Family Fortunes host Les had joined the Strictly lineup last month. 

The former Family Fortunes host was first asked to take part in the BBC hit when he starred in Coronation Street between 2014 and 2016, but was forced to turn it down because of his role on the soap.

Following the announcement Les said: ‘I’m thrilled to be doing this iconic wonderful show as I approach my 70th birthday! In my career I’ve always gone for challenges outside my comfort zone and this is the ultimate one! Can’t wait.’  

Dennis is no stranger to song and dance, and is currently starring in a touring production of West End musical 42nd Street.

The three-times-married star garnered public sympathy when his marriage to Britain’s Got Talent judge Amanda Holden broke down after she cheated on him with Men Behaving Badly actor Neil Morrissey. 

During the split in 2002, Dennis appeared on Celebrity Big Brother, but experienced what he later described as ‘an emotional crisis on live television’.

In 2005, however, the Scouse performer met life coach Claire Nicholson, who is 18 years his junior, when she asked him for a dance at a memorial ball. 

The pair married four years later and are parents to a daughter, Eleanor Grace, 15, and a son, Thomas Christopher, 12. 

Layton Williams

Stage and screen actor Layton Williams was announced as a new cast member for Strictly on The One Show on August 4.

From Bury, the performer, 28, is best known on-stage for his leading performances in the West End productions of Billy Elliot and Everyone’s Talking About Jamie, and his TV roles in Bad Education and The Cleaner. 

Layton also runs his own performing arts company – Pros From The Shows – which, along with his personal performance background, should set him up as one of the series favourites.

Ahead of the show he said he was ‘absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK!

‘It’s time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!’

Amanda Abbington

Amanda Abbington was one of the first three names announced for this year’s Strictly.

The Sherlock star has been in an array of TV hits, with the actress, 49, also appearing in Mr Selfridge and Doc Martin.

Like her co-star Layton, Amanda has appeared on-stage recently, in Steven Moffat’s West End show The Unfriend.

She said she was ‘thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly.’

‘I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things!

‘Plus, I get to learn to dance which I am incredibly excited about. I’m really looking forward to the training too, I’m quite competitive as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start!’

Angela Rippon CBE 

The final cast member revealed on The One Show’s initial unveiling was Angela Rippon CBE, who is set to be the show’s oldest ever contestant at 78.

The veteran newsreader previously appeared on Dancing On Ice in 2011, but only lasted one episode, so you may see this as a sign she will not be in Strictly for the long-haul.

She was also a presenter of Come Dancing, the predecessor to her new endeavour.

Angela said: ‘Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. 

‘A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge, and perhaps being able to learn to dance the Argentinian Tango!!’

Krishnan Guru-Murthy

Channel 4’s Krishnan Guru-Murthy was revealed the day after the initial trio, on Claudia Winkleman’s Saturday slot on BBC Radio 2.

The newsreader has been in his current post at Channel 4 News since 1998, making him the network’s longest serving current presenter.

He is the latest in a long list of newsreaders to compete on the programme, after Susanna Reid, Dan Walker, and Kate Silverton in recent years, and said he agreed to take part after being approached by bosses multiple times.

The anchor played down his chances, saying: ‘I’m surprised, delighted and slightly confused to find myself taking part in Strictly on the basis of ‘you only live once!’ and I can’t wait to start learning to dance, but I am slightly worried about my general decrepitude.’

Eddie Kadi

BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Eddie Kadi announced his participation in this year’s series on his own radio show on August 6.

As well as that role as presenter of The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show, Eddie is known as an actor and stand-up comic.

To go with fighting for the famous glitterball trophy, Eddie has also been nominated for this year’s Royal Television Society Best Breakthrough Award and Best Breakthrough Presenter at the Edinburgh TV Awards at the end of August.

He said: ‘Anyone who knows me understands that music and dance is so important and central to who I am. 

‘I’m so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 Team. I promise you, I’m going to give it everything I’ve got.’

Angela Scanlon

Angela Scanlon was announced as the sixth new contestant on August 7 on BBC Radio 2’s breakfast show, admitting she had to turn the show several times in the past after becoming a mother to her two daughters.

The Irish TV presenter, 39, hosted shows on RTE before moving to England to work on BBC shows.

Starting with the channel in 2015, she has presented The One Show, Robot Wars, and Your Home Made Perfect.

She has expressed her excitement at this role, asking: ‘Will they make me tan? How itchy are sequins?! Do they do flesh coloured sports bras? Well – there’s only one way to find out, right!?’ 

Zara McDermott

Zara Mcdermott was the seventh contestant to be confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2023, and she is set to be the first ever Love Island contestant to appear on the show.

Zara competed on the ITV reality TV hit’s fourth series in 2018, but survived just one recoupling.

Since then, she has transitioned into more serious programming and documentary films, including working with the BBC on Zara McDermott: Revenge Porn.

Upon joining Strictly, she said: ‘I am so excited to be joining the world of Strictly! 

‘I grew up watching it every year with my nan and she was the biggest Strictly fan.

‘We would dance around the house and I have such fond memories of that time in my life.’

Adam Thomas 

Adam Thomas is the eighth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing. 

Adam is best known for playing Adam Barton in ITV soap Emmerdale. 

Alongside Emmerdale, Adam is also known for reprising his role as Donte Charles in BBC One’s Waterloo Road revival after being an original cast member in the original series.

He appeared in ITV’s I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2016, and went on to co-host the spin-off–I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp.

Adam’s brothers are also known for their reality show stints. His twin brother Scott was a Love Island finalist in 2016 while older brother Ryan won the final series of Celebrity Big Brother.

Adam has been married to his wife Caroline since 2017 and the couple share two children – a son called Teddy and a daughter called Elsie-Rose. 

Adam said of this Strictly stint: ‘I can’t dance to save my life but I’m buzzing to learn and have a good laugh with my pro. Get me on that dance floor…I can’t wait!’ 

Nikita Kanda

Nikita is best known for being the current host of the BBC Asian Network’s Breakfast show, previously having presented the Saturday afternoon show. 

She has interviewed everyone from Killing Eve star Sandra Oh, Bridgerton actors Kate Sharma and Charithra Chandran, to Marvel actress Awkwafina and global pop star Nick Jonas.

Recently nominated for Presenter of the Year at the Asian Media Awards, Nikita has also fronted regular reports on BBC One’s The One Show.

Nikita said: ‘I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I’m still pinching myself. I don’t think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor. I can’t wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!’

The news was revealed on Tuesday morning on BBC Asian Network Breakfast with Nikita Kanda.

Ellie Leach 

Ellie, 22,is best known for portraying Faye Windass for 12 years on Coronation Street, nominated for multiple British Soap Awards and Inside Soap Awards for her role.

The exciting news was confirmed on Wednesday’s BBC Breakfast with Ellie telling the show she was ‘so excited’ to take part after leaving the soap earlier this year.

She added that she felt relieved the news was finally out within her family, gushing: ‘My dad rarely shows his emotions but he was like ‘the hairs on the back of my neck are standing up, I’m so proud of you’.’

The timing is perfect for the young actess who only left her role in Coronation Street a couple of months ago, and she admitted it’s been an ’emotional’ time. 

Jody Cundy 

Jody is a decorated World and Paralympic Champion, he has represented Great Britain at seven Summer Paralympics winning eight Gold, one Silver and three Bronze medals across swimming and cycling events. 

Jody meanwhile is one of the biggest success stories for the GB team in Paralympics. The athlete was born with a deformed foot, which was amputated when he was three years old.

He has also competed in multiple World Championships, winning 23 world titles. The most recent win coming at the World Cycling Championships in Glasgow this week .

After competing at Tokyo 2021, Jody became the first man in Paralympics GB history to win medals at seven different games. 

In 2009 he was awarded an MBE for his services to Disability sport, in 2017 this was upgraded to an OBE for his services to Swimming & Cycling & in 2022 he received a CBE for services to cycling.

Jody said he was ‘excited to be welcomed into the Strictly family and throw myself head first into the world of ballroom dancing.’

‘So far away from what I’m used to, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, especially as I’m always last onto the dance floor. Can’t wait to get stuck in, bring on the glitter and sequins!’

Bobby Brazier

Bobby Brazier, 20, is a model and actor, best known for his role as Freddie Slater in UK Soap Opera, EastEnders.

The son of the late Big Brother star Jade Goody, has also graced the runway for world renowned fashion house, Dolce & Gabbana at Milan Fashion Week.

Appearing live from the EastEnders set to reveal the news on BBC Breakfast, Bobby said while he was nervous to perform live he was excited to feel ‘a rush I haven’t felt before.’

When asked about his previous dance experience, this year’s youngest competitor confessed ‘I just like to party,’ adding he loves ‘house and disco music.’ 

Nigel Harman 

Actor Nigel, 49, is known for his role as Dennis Rickman in EastEnders, which he played from 2003 to 2005.

More recently he has starred in Casualty and has also appeared in Downton Abbey and Hotel Babylon, alongside extensive theatre work.

Among many stage credits Nigel has performed in Guys and Dolls in London’s West End and Shrek the Musical, which he then went on to direct for the UK tour. His film work includes roles in Blood Diamond, Telstar, and The Outsiders for ITV. 

Nigel said: ‘I’m amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it’s my turn…..gulp!’

The big news was unveiled by Christine Lampard on ITV’s Lorraine, with the actor admitting: ‘As the days have crept up to this moment I’ve been going what have I done? I’m excited to be out and proud now.’

‘I’ve just stepped onto a rollercoaster. I think I’m realising as time goes on I think I’m a better dancer than my body is telling me.’

Annabel Croft

Annabel is a former British Number One tennis player who at 15 years old was the youngest British player to compete at Wimbledon for 95 years.

She also represented Great Britain in prestigious Wightman and Federation Cup competitions, and continues to play an integral role in the coverage of Wimbledon each year and has done for many years.

Outside of tennis, Annabel has fronted entertainment shows such as Treasure Hunt and Inceptor and has enjoyed a long lasting broadcast career covering all the major tennis events worldwide. 

Her TV and radio career includes presenting, commentating, and working as a highly respected pundit for all the major broadcasters including BBC, Sky, Amazon Prime, ITV and Discovery.

Annabel said: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’

The news was announced on the Virgin Radio Breakfast Show with Ricky Wilson.

Annabel told Ricky: ‘I am beyond excited. I’ve always loved this magical, magical show.’ She added: ‘I’m also a bit terrified at the same time!’