Kylie Minogue will open this year’s series of Strictly Come Dancing with a medley of her biggest hits, it has been announced.
The pop star, who performed in the Legend’s slot at this year’s Glastonbury festival in June and recently headlined Brighton Pride, will perform before the celebrities are partnered with their professional dance partners.
Before learning who they will be dancing with in the competition, the 15 celebrities – from Olympic gold winner James Cracknell to EastEnders star Emma Barton – will take part in a group routine.
1/15 David James
The former England footballer said: “I’ve been asked to do this quite a number of times, and I’ve said it’s not me.
But I chatted with Mark Foster and he said he had an amazing time in 2008, so I said yes!”
Getty Images
2/15 Chris Ramsey
The comedian, who has regularly appeared on Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats, said he was “buzzing” to join the show.
3/15 Emma Barton
The EastEnders star said she was “over the moon” when she got the call. By appearing on Strictly, she’s following in the footsteps of her soap co-stars Jake Wood and Davood Ghadami, to name a few.
4/15 Saffron Barker
The YouTube star is the second social media celebrity to join the show, after Joe Sugg appeared last year.
She said: “I am really excited to go on the Strictly journey and am feeling very grateful for the opportunity.”
5/15 Catherine Tyldesley
The former Coronation Street actor said she was “thrilled” to be on the line-up and that her Strictly stint is “sure to be a bumpy/clumsy/fun ride”.
6/15 Mike Bushell
The BBC Breakfast sports presenter asked “Is this a dream? It feels like a weird dream?” when it was announced that he would be joining the show. He added: “I thought they’d got the wrong person, genuinely!”
Getty
7/15 Karim Zeroual
CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual was the seventh celebrity to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing 2019.
“To be offered the chance to take part in Strictly is dumbfounding, I’m pinching myself…!” he said in a statement as his name was announced.
“I’m so excited to be Strictlified. I want THE LOT. The skimpiest of clothes, the widest of flares, the brightest of colours and the tallest Cuban heel a guy can find! The more flamboyant the better… sequins galore please!!”
8/15 Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth
The chef and philanthropist was announced as a contestant on Gaby Roslin’s BBC Radio London show. She said: “This is going to be very new and very exciting and I’m sure very challenging.”
Getty
9/15 Michelle Visage
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star was announced as a contestant on ITV morning show Lorraine. Speaking about her appointment, Visage said: “I’m very excited, I’m actually over the moon. This is one show I’ve loved for years.” She added: “I’m a woman that’s 50-years-old and I want to be out there representing women of a certain age.”
10/15 Will Bayley
Paralympic table tennis champion Will Bayley was revealed to be taking part on the show on Talkradio. He said: “I’m so proud to be on the show, it’s my family’s favourite show. I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well. I want to inspire people with a disability – that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this.”
Getty Images
11/15 Jamie Laing
Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing was revealed to be taking part on Strictly during an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women. He told the panellists he is “beyond thrilled” and has “known for about a month” he would be taking part. “I’m not very good at keeping secrets,” he added. “Especially from my mum. Every day she’s asked me if I’m doing the show.”
Channel 4
12/15 Alex Scott
The former Arsenal defender and Women’s World Cup pundit was announced as a contestant by the BBC. Scott, who appears on Match of the Day, made 140 appearances for the English national team and represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Getty Images
13/15 Dev Griffin
The BBC Radio 1 DJ, who was the thirteenth contestant to be announced, said: “I just can’t believe I’m doing Strictly, it just doesn’t feel real yet. It’s going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I’m not doing this to take part, I’m totally in it to win it! I can’t wait to meet my partner and start practising.”
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images
14/15 James Cracknell
The athlete and double Olympic gold medallist was announced as a contestant by Gemma Collins on Good Morning Britain. “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year,” he said. “Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill.”
BBC
15/15 Anneka Rice
The British TV presenter, who is best known for Challenge Anneka, said: “I haven’t danced since I was seven and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated. But I’m feeling recklessly excited. Strictly has always been my Autumn’s entertainment and now I’m part of it. My children will probably leave the country.”
BBC
1/15 David James
The former England footballer said: “I’ve been asked to do this quite a number of times, and I’ve said it’s not me.
But I chatted with Mark Foster and he said he had an amazing time in 2008, so I said yes!”
Getty Images
2/15 Chris Ramsey
The comedian, who has regularly appeared on Mock the Week and 8 Out of 10 Cats, said he was “buzzing” to join the show.
3/15 Emma Barton
The EastEnders star said she was “over the moon” when she got the call. By appearing on Strictly, she’s following in the footsteps of her soap co-stars Jake Wood and Davood Ghadami, to name a few.
4/15 Saffron Barker
The YouTube star is the second social media celebrity to join the show, after Joe Sugg appeared last year.
She said: “I am really excited to go on the Strictly journey and am feeling very grateful for the opportunity.”
5/15 Catherine Tyldesley
The former Coronation Street actor said she was “thrilled” to be on the line-up and that her Strictly stint is “sure to be a bumpy/clumsy/fun ride”.
6/15 Mike Bushell
The BBC Breakfast sports presenter asked “Is this a dream? It feels like a weird dream?” when it was announced that he would be joining the show. He added: “I thought they’d got the wrong person, genuinely!”
Getty
7/15 Karim Zeroual
CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual was the seventh celebrity to sign up for Strictly Come Dancing 2019.
“To be offered the chance to take part in Strictly is dumbfounding, I’m pinching myself…!” he said in a statement as his name was announced.
“I’m so excited to be Strictlified. I want THE LOT. The skimpiest of clothes, the widest of flares, the brightest of colours and the tallest Cuban heel a guy can find! The more flamboyant the better… sequins galore please!!”
8/15 Emma Thynn, Viscountess Weymouth
The chef and philanthropist was announced as a contestant on Gaby Roslin’s BBC Radio London show. She said: “This is going to be very new and very exciting and I’m sure very challenging.”
Getty
9/15 Michelle Visage
The RuPaul’s Drag Race star was announced as a contestant on ITV morning show Lorraine. Speaking about her appointment, Visage said: “I’m very excited, I’m actually over the moon. This is one show I’ve loved for years.” She added: “I’m a woman that’s 50-years-old and I want to be out there representing women of a certain age.”
10/15 Will Bayley
Paralympic table tennis champion Will Bayley was revealed to be taking part on the show on Talkradio. He said: “I’m so proud to be on the show, it’s my family’s favourite show. I have no dance experience at all, but I hope I can do well. I want to inspire people with a disability – that would mean a lot to me. I want to prove to people I can do this.”
Getty Images
11/15 Jamie Laing
Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing was revealed to be taking part on Strictly during an appearance on ITV’s Loose Women. He told the panellists he is “beyond thrilled” and has “known for about a month” he would be taking part. “I’m not very good at keeping secrets,” he added. “Especially from my mum. Every day she’s asked me if I’m doing the show.”
Channel 4
12/15 Alex Scott
The former Arsenal defender and Women’s World Cup pundit was announced as a contestant by the BBC. Scott, who appears on Match of the Day, made 140 appearances for the English national team and represented Great Britain at the 2012 London Olympics.
Getty Images
13/15 Dev Griffin
The BBC Radio 1 DJ, who was the thirteenth contestant to be announced, said: “I just can’t believe I’m doing Strictly, it just doesn’t feel real yet. It’s going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I’m not doing this to take part, I’m totally in it to win it! I can’t wait to meet my partner and start practising.”
Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images
14/15 James Cracknell
The athlete and double Olympic gold medallist was announced as a contestant by Gemma Collins on Good Morning Britain. “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year,” he said. “Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill.”
BBC
15/15 Anneka Rice
The British TV presenter, who is best known for Challenge Anneka, said: “I haven’t danced since I was seven and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated. But I’m feeling recklessly excited. Strictly has always been my Autumn’s entertainment and now I’m part of it. My children will probably leave the country.”
BBC
Also on the show, new judge Motsi Mabuse will make her debut alongside Craig Revel-Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Bruno Tonioli. She replaces ballerina Darcey Bussell, who stepped down from the judging panel after seven years.
Mark Ronson will also perform alongside Grammy-winning artist YEBBA, following the release of Ronson’s new album Late Night Feelings. Tess Daly and Claudia Winklement return as co-hosts.
Last year’s series saw broadcaster Stacey Dooley lift the Glitterball trophy with professional partner Kevin Clifton.
Strictly Come Dancing is expected to launch on BBC One on 7 September.
