Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: All the rumoured contestants from Christine Quinn to Rio Ferdinand
Will we be seeing any of these people on Strictly Come Dancing this year? (Picture: Rex Shutterstock)
It’s nearly time to fire up the ballroom once again, as Strictly Come Dancing returns to screens for its 2021 series.
While the 2020 season of the show – which was won by Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse – might have been shorter than usual in the wake of Covid, this year we’re promised the show will return with a full-length season in all its foxtrotting, tango-ing glory (even if we do have to wait a while longer for the Blackpool week to come back).
We’ll also be welcoming four new dancers into the fray, as well as Anton du Beke taking over from Bruno Tonioli on the judging panel.
But Strictly is nothing without its celebrity line-up – so just who could be popping on their dancing shoes and making their bid for the coveted Glitterball trophy this year?
Here’s who’s been rumoured so far…
Matilda Ramsay
Matilda Ramsay could be set to swap the kitchen for the ballroom (Picture: WireImage)
The daughter of Gordon Ramsay, Matilda – also known as Tilly – has reportedly signed on the dotted line for the show, having missed out on the chance to take part last year after breaking her arm.
The 19-year-old – who as well as being a chef also fronts CBBC’s Matilda And The Ramsay Bunch alongside her family – is reported to be ‘really excited’ about joining the line-up.
‘It’s a great sign-up as Tilly has proved a hit with youngsters,’ a source told The Sun on Sunday’s Biz on Sunday column.
‘It will be great to have Gordon sitting in the audience supporting as well, though he’s bound to scare off any pros hoping for a Strictly romance.’
Peter Crouch
Peter Crouch could be the tallest Strictly contestant ever (Picture: Rex Shutterstock)
Former footballer Peter Crouch is being tipped for a spot in the ballroom, after his TV shows Peter Crouch: Save Our Summer, and his recent Euros spin-off Crouchy’s Year Late Euros: Live proved a hit with viewers.
A source told The Sun: ‘Peter is hugely popular and would be a phenomenal signing.
‘The casting team were especially keen because he had such a high profile during the Euros. Taller men have struggled but he would stand out a mile on the dancefloor.
If Peter does sign up he will become the tallest contestant ever at 6ft 7 – although he will have some big (dancing) shoes to fill given that his wife, Abbey Clancey is a former Strictly champion, having taken the title in 2013.
Christine Quinn
Christine Quinn has sparked speculation with a planned trip to the UK (Picture: Getty Images)
Could the reality star be about to swap Selling Sunset for Strictly? Well, speculation is rife that she might after she shared a cryptic post on Twitter claiming to have a project lined up in the UK at around the same time that Strictly is due to start.
‘PASSPORT IN HAND! I’m so excited to announce I will be coming to the UK in September for a big surprise!’ Christine wrote, adding: ‘I can’t wait to share more soon, but I look forward to finally meeting you guys!’
Cue fans going wild as rumours flew that she had signed up for Strictly. Time will tell.
Louise Minchin
Could Louise Minchin finally be heading Strictly’s way? (Picture: PA)
Strictly wouldn’t be Strictly without a breakfast television presenter or two, and Louise Minchin has certainly got the rumour mill churning this year.
The speculation has been further fuelled by the fact she is leaving BBC Breakfast ‘some time after the summer’ – and remained very coy when it came to talking about the show.
When quizzed about a possible Strictly appearance by Dan Walker, she replied: ‘You know the answer to that…I’m on a lifetime ban’ – but has since said this is no longer the case.
Speaking on the Her Spirit podcast with the Her Spirit podcast with Carol Kirkwood, Louise said: ‘The other day on Breakfast Dan [Walker] mentioned it and I said the line that I’ve said for many years that I’m on a ‘lifetime ban’ from my family and my husband texted and said “ban lifted”.’
Sounds like a possibility to us, then.
Ugo Monye
Ugo Monye could be adding Strictly to his list (Picture: Getty Images)
Another sporting name in the fray is the ex-Harlequins rugby star, who has also recently been announced as one of the new team captains on A Question Of Sport.
According to reports his pal Jamie Laing – who reached the final of last year’s series – has persuaded him to take part this year.
‘Ugo became friendly with Jamie when they worked on a travel show together in 2019 and after seeing how much he loved the experience, Ugo jumped at the chance,’ a source told The Sun.
Maya Jama
Maya Jama is rumoured every year – could it finally happen? (Picture: Rex Shutterstock)
One name which comes up in connection with the show every year is Maya Jama – but the presenter has yet to take part.
Could 2021 finally be her year? She certainly hasn’t ruled out a spin around the dancefloor, saying: ‘I don’t know, I always say I don’t know. I’d never say never to all of these things.
Ryan Thomas
Ryan Thomas is being rumoured once again (Picture: Getty Images)
Having previously won Celebrity Big Brother, could Strictly now be in Ryan’s sights? He said no to a spot on the series in 2020 – having recently become a father to baby Roman with partner Lucy Mecklenburgh – but show bosses are reportedly ‘desperate’ to sign him up this time around.
A source told The Sun: ’Ryan turned the show down last year as he didn’t want to be apart from Lucy and baby Roman for that long, but he’s been offered a place again this year and he’s considering it.
‘Bosses think he’d be really good on the show. Everyone knows and loves him from Corrie and his ITV show.’
Rio Ferdinand
Could this be Rio Ferdinand’s year? (Picture: Getty Images)
Another former footballer reportedly being eyed for the line-up, Rio Ferdinand has been linked with the 2021 series as far back as February, when it was reported that football pundit and former Strictly contestant Gabby Logan was trying to persuade him to take part.
Speaking to Strictly host Tess Daly on the Mid-Point podcast, Logan revealed that Ferdinand already has dance experience, saying: ‘I was trying to persuade Rio Ferdinand. You need to get your producers onto him. I almost had him.’
Logan appeared on the show in 2007 and finished fourth. She revealed: ‘He said, “Did you really enjoy it?” I said, “How often do they ask you?” He said, “Every year.” He’d be incredible, and he’s a dancer!’
When does Strictly Come Dancing start?
No start date has yet been confirmed for the series, but it has been reported that the series will run for around 13 weeks.
The series normally kicks off in early September with a launch show – which sees the celebrities paired up with their pro dance partners – followed by the first live show about two or three weeks later.
Which means, given that this year’s series is returning to normal, we may not have very long to wait at all before it all kicks off.
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