Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Line-up, start date, dancers and professional judges

Who is taking to the Strictly dance floor this year? (Picture: BBC/Metro.co.uk)

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’ll be taking part this year – as well as everything else we know about the series…

Who is taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2021?

Tom Fletcher

Tom Fletcher will be aiming to follow in Harry Judd’s footsteps (Picture: BBC)

McFly star and children’s author Tom Fletcher was the first name to be announced for the 2021 series. He’s got some big dancing shoes to fill given that bandmate Harry Judd is a former Strictly champion who scooped the Glitterball trophy in 2011.

‘I think the fact that I’m actually going to be dancing on Strictly this year has only just started to sink in!’ Tom said.

‘I’m incredibly excited, of course, but also totally terrified! My kids were excited too until I started showing them my best dad-dancing in the kitchen.

‘I’m not sure how far they’ll get me in the competition but I can’t wait to add some new moves to my embarrassing dad-dancing repertoire.’

Robert Webb

Actor and comedian Robert Webb was the second name confirmed (Picture: BBC)

Actor Robert Webb – best known for his work with comedy partner David Mitchell – was the second name to be revealed for this year’s show.

‘I am ludicrously excited to be taking part in Strictly this year. It’s a big, generous, joyful show and I can’t wait to get packed into a spandex onesie and fired from a glitter cannon directly at Claudia Winkleman,’ he said.

‘At least I think that’s what happens. My goal is to try and survive from week to week without causing serious injury to myself or innocent bystanders. I know it’s going to be a challenge.

‘To do well in this competition is a test of character, although mainly it’s a test of dancing.’

Robert is no stranger to TV dance competitions, having won the 2009 series of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief with his memorable take on Flashdance.

AJ Odudu

Aj Odudu is hoping to make a splash on Strictly (Picture: BBC)

TV presenter AJ Odudu was the third celebrity to be confirmed for Strictly 2021.

The Blackburn native, best known for the likes of The Voice, The Voice Kids, Big Brother’s Bit On The Side and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, said: ‘I am beyond chuffed that I am going to be on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing and I’m so glad I can finally tell my mum. Her face will be a picture, she’s going to be over the moon!

‘I absolutely love the show and am fully committed to making the most of every second of the Strictly experience. Bring it on!’

Speaking on The One Show she said her mum would be ‘beside herself’, adding: ‘I can’t even tell you how much we love the show. This is a dream come true.

‘I’ve got seven siblings, you know how parents say they don’t have a favourite child, this is favourite child status right here.’