Emma SaundersCulture reporter
PA Media
Dyer notes this is “one of the biggest show’s I’ve done since Love Island” in 2018
It’s that time again. The nights are drawing in, the tans are fading and we all need a bit of sparkle in our lives as we head into autumn.
Never fear, Strictly Come Dancing is back with its 23rd series, with 15 new contestants ready to dust off their dancing shoes.
Following last year’s controversies relating to the behaviour of some professional dancers, plus a recently launched investigation into alleged drug use by two of the show’s stars and an unnamed star being arrested on suspicion of rape, BBC bosses will be keen for fans and media to return to talking about the show itself.
With that in mind, the press gathered for an annual event which gives journalists a chance to speak to all the contestants ahead of the show launch (well, almost all, more on that later).
Here’s all the behind-the-scenes gossip we found out from the likes of Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
This year’s Strictly contestants are glammed up and ready to go
On being ‘Strictified’
One of the big attractions for most celebrity contestants on the show is the chance to glam up to the max every Saturday night.
Former Love Island star Dani Dyer says she’s game for any dance costume.
“I can’t wait to be a bit sexy, I’ve been a mum… my oldest is four… am I sexy?,” she giggles.
“On Love Island I never wore the thong bikinis and now I’m like ‘Why didn’t I do that?”
Dani in a carnival thong number for the samba? You heard it here first.
La Voix says: “The main reason we’re doing this is it’s like a free bootcamp!”
La Voix, who competed in the 2024 series of RuPaul’s Drag Race UK, arrives at the press event in full make-up with trademark coiffured hair-do. How on earth can you “Strictify” a drag performer?
“I might be the only one that dresses down on a live show! I want the full Strictly experience. They’re going to take it to the next level. They have already – I’ve been lucky enough to have seen my first dress.
“The glamour is wonderful, I feel like I’m living my dream. I don’t want to do the dancing, just the dressing up bit!”
Keeping control of the nerves
Vicky Pattison first found fame on reality show Geordie Shore
Former Geordie Shore star and podcast host Vicky Pattison has always been very open about her struggles with anxiety, recently revealing on her podcast Get A Grip that she had gone back to therapy to deal with Strictly nerves.
“Everyone’s handling me with kid gloves at the moment, I keep getting loads of cuddles off everyone.
“I’m scared, a little bit overwhelmed. I think it’s because I’ve wanted to do this show for so long, I’m a big fan. I’m desperate to make the most of it… but I’m worried I’ll get in my own head.”
But support from the likes of former contestants Pete Wicks and her podcast co-host Angela Scanlon is helping.
“With Pete, our careers, there’s a lot of parallels, we both come from reality TV and there’s this common misconception that we’re not very talented or capable of anything. I would really like to change that narrative. Pete just said be yourself.
“I just need to get a handle on myself and put my big girl pants on. I’ll kick myself if I’m in my own head the whole time and I don’t enjoy it. I think I’m putting a lot of pressure on myself.”
Social media star George Clarke says the nerves haven’t hit him – yet.
“I don’t really get nervous until it’s just about to happen, which is nice, until it’s just about to happen! Nice build-up and then a breakdown in the dressing room!”
Model, actress and influencer Ellie Goldstein says she’s “excited and nervous but nerves are good. I’m so competitive, I want to win!”
And Dani’s famous dad Danny Dyer will be cheering her on.
“Dad is so excited for me, he loves the show. He came to support when Rose Ayling Ellis (his on-screen daughter in EastEnders) was doing it and it was emotional then. He loves a dance himself. I should get him up!”
The Strictly curse
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Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink played for teams such as Chelsea and Leeds and the Netherlands national team and has managed clubs including QPR and Northampton Town
None of the contestants seemed bothered about the so-called Strictly curse, which refers to several former contestants who were already in relationships and ended up finding romance with fellow participants.
In fact, La Voix jokes: “Bring it on, I’m single!”
Dyer points to the fact she’s only just got married earlier this year (to West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen), so has no concerns.
ER and Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston quips: “I’m at the age where I don’t have to worry about that!” Come on Alex, 62 is nothing these days.
Former footballer and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink says his wife won’t be bothered in the slightest.
“Take him, take the old fart, take him!”
Thomas is a no-show
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Thomas first found fame on reality show The Apprentice
Does previous dance experience really help?
Gladiator and former athlete Harry Aikines-Aryeetey took part in the last Strictly Christmas special and says it has helped a bit.
“I know what to expect with the audience… it was a bit of a taster run.”
Former Lioness and football pundit Karen Carney says she “danced a little as a kid but I loved football so was always going to choose that. [There’s] lots of transferable skills, fast feet… hopefully! But I’ve got to do it in heels!”
Alex says she’s had no dance training but notes: “I used to go clubbing in the 90s! I used to go to a salsa club… I’ve not been in touch with those people since… all these ladies are now coming out of the woodwork [on social media] saying ‘Go for it Alex!'”
Dani adds: “This is one of the biggest shows I’ve done since Love Island. In Love Island, you’re obviously so protected with other people. That was seven years ago and for me, this is massive. I’m just going to pretend it’s not live!”
Jimmy does have talented daughters who dance, including one who played the younger Tina Turner in the West End.
“But I don’t want more trainers as they would seriously boss me around!”
Neighbours star Steffan Dennis reveals his wife was a professional dancer and has given him a few tips.
“She taught me ceilidh dances for our wedding. She did give me some basic stuff, shoulders down!”
Former England rugby union captain, Chris Robshaw, has no dance experience but says being used to the spotlight should be an advantage.
“As an ex-sportsman, that’s what you miss when you retire – you miss the live buzz, you miss the live occasion. You don’t miss the actual game, you miss the buzz, the excitement, and also the fear.”
Hip-hop or hip op?
Ross King is swapping sunny Los Angeles for a London autumn
Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was drafted in at the last minute after Game of Thrones star Kristian Nairn had to sadly pull out due to medical reasons.
“It happened within 24 hours. I don’t think I really had time to think about it!
“I was in a hip-hop dance group for a couple of years, ” he explains before Ross King, LA correspondent for ITV’s Good Morning Britain and Lorraine, quips: “I’ve had a hip op, not hip hop!”
Scotsman Ross says he loves being back in the UK but jokes: “I love LA and I’ll be going back, maybe sooner rather than later!”
Lewis is looking forward to learning something new.
“As you’re getting older, you don’t tend to learn new skills,” he says. I ask him how old he is. “30.” Positively ancient!
‘The real me’
BBC/Jack Barnes/Kieron McCarron
Balvinder (right) says she doesn’t always raise her eyebrows so often in real life!
Soap stars are particularly prone to being confused with their on-screen characters, with viewers used to seeing their TV personas several times a week.
With lines sometimes blurred, EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal, who plays infamous Suki Kaur Panesar (now Unwin), says: “This is a chance to show who we are at heart, particularly with EastEnders… people think you are that person and you respond to every situation with a lifted eyebrow and a snarl and that’s not the case!”
Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, who played villain Paul Robinson for 40 years on and off, concurs.
Asked what would be the most surprising thing for viewers when watching him on Strictly, he says: “Probably me not being an [expletive]. The one that they know me the most for is someone who’s not very nice [Paul Robinson]. That’s not why I’m doing it but I’m hoping they get to see the real Stefan Dennis and not the character.”