Strictly Come Dancing’s 2020 series is still a number of months away, with production due to begin in October.
With another year of the competition comes a brand-new batch of celebrity contestants, taking to the dance floor to battle for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Last year, Emmerdale star Kelvin Fletcher defied the odds and won first place with his partner Oti Mabuse, after signing up to the show last minute.
In accordance with social distancing measures, this year’s celebs and pro dancers will be facing a very different run of events on the set of the long-running BBC series.
Strictly usually runs for 13 weeks, but this year’s series has reportedly been cut down to nine weeks to help ensure the safety of the cast and crew on set.
While the 2020 Strictly line-up has yet to be confirmed, a number of major names are rumoured to be taking part.
Below, we take a look at the rumoured celebrity line-up – and the professional dancers due to lead them to the dance floor.
Michelle Keegan
Michelle announced plans to leave the cast of Our Girl earlier this year (Image: Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
Former Coronation Street star Michelle Keegan is tipped to take part in the new season of Strictly, having stepped down from her role as Lance Corporal Georgie Lane on Our Girl.
The demanding acting gig required the 33-year-old to spend several months abroad each year – meaning she potentially has a gap in her schedule in 2020.
According to The Sun Online, a show source claimed: “Michelle ticks all the boxes. She’s glamorous, hugely popular and loves the show too.
“Producers are desperate to try and sign her up.
“They know that getting her to agree would be a massive coup and are hoping she will do it.
“In terms of timing this is a great moment for Michelle to do it.”
Maura Higgins
Love Island star Maura stunned the crowds on Dancing On Ice earlier this year (Image: PA)
Having wooed the crowds on Dancing on Ice earlier this year, Maura Higgins could be set to swap her skates for another set of dancing shoes this autumn.
The Irish bombshell, 29, is the bookies’ favourite to take part in the new season of Strictly, having excelled at her choreography and training on DOI.
Last month, Coral Bookmakers put the odds of her appearance on the show at two to one, with a spokesman saying: “Maura was very successful on Dancing on Ice and now we think she will swap the ice for the Strictly ballroom dance floor.
“We’d make Maura one of the early front-runners to go all the way on the series as reality TV stars have done well on the show.”
Stacey Solomon
Former X Factor star Stacey is a beloved addition to the Loose Women panel (Image: Getty Images)
After her celeb beau Joe Swash reigned victorious on the latest season of Dancing On Ice, Stacey Solomon could be about to take on a similar challenge.
The 30-year-old Loose Women star is a longtime fan of Strictly, having praised the show’s glitz and glamour in the past.
Potentially teasing an appearance on the 2020 season, Stacey told Good Housekeeping: “I love the show, I love the outfits, the routines, and how the contestants go from one to 1,000.
“But I would be the one that didn’t get it… Everybody would expect me to go on this journey, but I would be persistently the same after 10 weeks! I would just stay the same!”.
Joe Wicks
Fitness coach Joe revealed he was approached by Strictly bosses in the past (Image: PA)
Health guru Joe Wicks has denied he will be taking part in the upcoming series of Strictly, though he confirmed he has been approached by show bosses.
Having built up a fitness empire online, the 33-year-old coach is the ideal choice for the physically demanding choreographed routines on Strictly.
Speaking to The Sun, Joe said: “Strictly have always been asking me but I am 100% not doing Strictly or celebrity whatever it may be.
“I am happy being at home with Rosie, Indie and Marley and that is it.”
Jack P Shepherd
Jack plays fan favourite David Platt on the Corrie cobbles (Image: Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Coronation Street fans will be thrilled to see Jack P Shepherd’s name has been thrown into the ring of potential Strictly contenders.
Having joined the cast of Corrie in his teens, playing David Platt, the 32-year-old actor has since become one of the nation’s most beloved soap stars.
Jack’s girlfriend, Hanni Treweek, sent Strictly speculation into overdrive earlier this year when she revealed the duo were planning on taking ballroom dancing classes.
Opening up to her Instagram followers, she pondered: “Does anyone know of any good ballroom dancing classes in Manchester that @jackpsheperd88 and I can do x.”
Emily Atack
Inbetweeners star Emily is the bookies’ fave to appear on Strictly (Image: AFP via Getty Images)
Comedienne Emily Atack’s talents know no bounds, from acting to modelling and presenting.
Now, the 30-year-old bombshell could be about to make her most exciting pivot yet, entering the world of dance for the first time.
In May, Emily’s odds of appearing on Strictly ranked at two to one, with a ten in one chance of winning first place in the televised competition.
Coral Bookmaker’s John Hill said: “Emily Atack was a big hit in the jungle in 2018. Her latest challenge could be on the dance floor as she is prominent in the betting to be a contestant on Strictly this year.
“The actress finished runner-up on I’m A Celeb and we think she will have a great chance of going one place betting on Strictly.”
Katie Price
Katie Price has appeared on reality shows such as I’m A Celeb and Strictly in the past (Image: PA)
Former glamour model Katie Price has proven a hit with reality TV viewers in the past, thanks to stints on I’m A Celeb, Celebrity Big Brother and her namesake series, Katie Price: My Crazy Life.
The 42-year-old star is reportedly “in talks” with BBC bosses about the upcoming series of Strictly, potentially adding another legendary Brit series to her CV.
According to The Sun Online, a source claimed: “It’s really early days but she’s in talks with bosses.
“She always jokes she’s got two left feet but she would love to do it.”
Jamie Laing
Jamie was due to take part in the 2019 production of Strictly Come Dancing (Image: PA)
Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing was devastated last year when a foot injury scuppered his chances of taking part in the competition.
Initially paired up with Oti Mabuse, Kelvin Fletcher replaced the 31-year-old in the competition and later went on to win the show.
Jamie has made no secret of his determination to get back on the dance floor, making amends after last year’s effort went awry.
A source told The Sun that the MIC star is in the process of signing up for the next series, saying: “Jamie was devastated when he couldn’t carry on because of his nasty foot injury.
“He went through a lot of physiotherapy to get well again [and] has been in contact with the BBC to confirm he’s fighting fit and that he’s more than able to take part in the next series.”
Maya Jama
Maya Jama recently stepped down from her gig with BBC radio (Image: Dave Benett/Getty Images)
Multi-talented Maya Jama could be about to try her hand at a whole new skillset – ballroom dancing – as rumours of a Strictly appearance do the rounds.
The 25-year-old radio host, presenter and DJ, who formerly dated Stormzy, recently quit her job with BBC radio, leaving time for another showbiz opportunity.
Hinting at a stint on Strictly, a source told The Sun: “Maya ticks a lot of boxes for the show. She’s great fun, has a massive following, especially among young people and, of course, she can dance.
“A lot of those taking part juggle other work but for Maya combining Strictly with a weekend slot on the radio would have been impossible.”
Alan Carr
Alan jokingly promised to take part in the new season of Strictly last year (Image: Getty Images)
Funnyman Alan Carr could bring a welcome dose of comedy to the dance floor in the 2020 series, having jokingly confessed he would be taking part last year.
Speaking to the Loose Women panel, he teased: “I will do it, but next year, I’ve got a busy year. They cornered me and they said, ‘Would you do it?'”
The 44-year-old also confessed he had been approached by show bosses in the past, telling Graham Norton he feared his inability to “s*** drop” could ruin his chances of success.
He said: “They ask me to do it every year, and I say, ‘No’ because it’s too much like hard work.
“I used to be able to s*** drop, but I can’t any more, I’m at that age. I like Oops Up Side Your Head because you get to sit down!”
Jane Goldman
Jonathan Ross’ wife Jane Goldman is reportedly lined up to be taking part in the new season (Image: PA)
Jonathan Ross’ wife Jane Goldman is reportedly in talks with BBC bosses, ahead of the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing.
The 49-year-old, who wed Ross 32 years ago, is a screenwriter, author and producer, known for her work on blockbusters such as X-Men: First Class, Stardust, and Kingsman: The Secret Service.
According to The Sun, Jane’s odds of a Strictly appearance are stacked in her favour, with a source claiming: “Jane is one of the names at the top of the list for this year’s show.
“She has told friends she would love to have a whirl on the dance floor.”
Daily Star Online has contacted Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
Professional dancers
Pro dancer AJ quit Strictly Come Dancing earlier this year (Image: Dave j Hogan/Getty Images)
Strictly has lost two pro dancers this season – both AJ Pritchard and Kevin Clifton announced their decisions to step down after many years on the screen.
However, 16 other lightfooted pros are confirmed to be taking part, having risen to fame in their own right as the longstanding cast members of the BBC show.
Dancers Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Anton Du Beke, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice and Gorka Marquez are confirmed to have signed up for the upcoming season.
On top of that, Graziano Di Prima, Janette Manrara, Johannes Radebe, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu, Neil Jones, and Oti Mabuse will also return.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
