Who will be on Strictly Come Dancing 2020? The rumoured line-up so far...

With the BBC flagship show confirmed to be going ahead, here's who could be heading to the dancefloor... 
Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse won the show in 2019
BBC
Helena Rose21 August 2020

Strictly Come Dancing twirled onto our screens way back in 2004, and has been a firm favourite of the nation’s ever since.

Over the course of its 17 series, the contest has seen a variety of celebrities pirouette their way to win the coveted Glitterball trophy.

With the beloved show confirmed to be going ahead this year with a shortened season, rumours continue to circulate about the potential celebs joining this year's iteration.

However, the show will be looking slightly different than normal, with Bruno Tonioli no longer taking part in the judging panel for Saturday night shows when the series returns later this year.

Strictly Come Dancing: Professional Dancers - In pictures

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The judge is currently in Los Angeles, where he is on the panel for the US version of the show Dancing With The Stars, and will not be able to travel back and forth because of the seriousness of the pandemic in the US.

However, he will be involved remotely in the Sunday night results show each week and will return to the show full time towards the end of the series.

Tonioli's presence will be missed this year - but luckily, there'll be a bunch of new celebs to heighten the drama. Here’s the candidates rumoured to be taking part in the 18th series:

Maya Jama

Bookmakers have made Maya Jama their odds-on favourite to be on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up, after she quit her presenting job on BBC Radio 1.

The presenter left her weekend breakfast show due to “exciting commitments later in the year” - could that mean Strictly?

Bosses of the BBC One show are reportedly offering Jama a six-figure sum to appear on the show, hoping her impressive social media following and young Radio 1 listeners will bring younger viewers to the series.

Stacey Solomon

Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

Fresh off the heels of her partner Joe Swash’s win on this year's Dancing On Ice, Solomon has hinted that she would love to appear on a similar dancing talent show.

She said to Good Housekeeping that she'd "love to do Strictly" and is a massive fan of the show.

“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!"

Hopefully we’ll get to see if that’s true or not in this year’s dance-off!

Jack P Shepherd

Getty

In March 2020, the Coronation Street actor sparked rumours he was joining the Strictly cast, when his girlfriend Hanni Treweek took to Twitter to ask: “Does anyone know of any good ballroom dancing classes in Manchester that @jackpsheperd88 and I can do?”

He has also previously admitted he’d like to do the show, saying he prefers the show to Dancing on Ice, or I’m A Celeb.

Shepherd’s friends and co-stars have also taken part so they could give him tips - in 2019, his former co-star Catherine Tyldesley took part, and Georgia May Foote has also done the show.

Lorraine Kelly

Getty Images

The ITV host sparked her own Strictly rumours when she shared a video of a dance lesson with pro dancer Luba Mushtu, writing: “Just a normal day being taught the jive with @lubamushtuk from @bbcstrictly during a brilliant time with @jasonvale.

“I'm the one at the front in the grey hoodie mostly out of step! Brilliant fun.”

Jane McDonald

Pride of place: Jane's Bafta is on display in her living room
Jeff Spicer/Getty Images

The multi-talented TV star will have a lot more time on her hands since quitting her Channel 5 show ‘Cruising with Jane McDonald’.

Could it be that she’s changed her mind from three years ago, when she said "No, no. Strictly's proper hard work!"

Sarah Hadland

PA Archive/PA Images

Hadland is keen for Strictly, saying in the Radio Times last year: "Every year I have the same thought: 'I really, really want to do it!’”

Will this year be the year Hadland puts herself forward?

Alex Kingston

Criticism: Actor Alex Kingston recently blasted diversity in London theatre
Dave Benett/Getty Images

The Doctor Who star is very keen to take part in the show, telling Radio Times in the same interview as Hadland that she was interested.

“I think let’s just do it! Break the mould,” Kingston said.

“Absolutely break the mould. I’m so glad you feel the same way.”

Jamie Laing

Ouch: Laing has hurt his foot after dancing in the first episode of Strictly
Getty

Made in Chelsea star Jamie Laing was ready to appear on the 2019 series of Strictly, until a painful foot injury forced him to pull out of the competition after the first episode.

He was due to partner up with Oti Mabuse, but was replaced by Emmerdale's Fletcher - and the couple went on to win the show!

However, the reality TV celebrity has reportedly been invited back onto the show for the 2020 series, with bosses determined the reality star should get back onboard the Strictly train.

Jacqueline Jossa

Getty Images

Will the reigning Queen of the Jungle be heading over to the BBC favourite?

Fresh from winning I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! in 2019, Jac Jossa could be signing up for another huge endurance show…

The former EastEnders actress has previously turned down Strictly though, saying in 2018: "I've been asked to do Strictly Come Dancing but I can't dance so there's no way I would embarrass myself by going on that.”

But having found her confidence on ITV’s I’m A Celeb, could this be her year?

Huw Edwards

Huw Edwards will lead the BBC's election coverage
BBC

The BBC News top presenter was set to show off his dancing talents on last year's Strictly, but had to pull out when it became apparent there would be a general election in December.

He may still be too busy covering the ongoing coronavirus crisis, but if he has the time, let’s hope we see him on 2020 Strictly.

Cheryl

Cheryl is looking to have more children with the help of a sperm donor
Getty Images

Former Girls Aloud member and all-round pop-star was spotted in the audience for one of last year’s shows, sparking rumours she was scoping the battleground out.

Of course, she may have been there to support her friend and The Greatest Dancer co-presenter Oti Mabuse, but fans are hoping they will see Cheryl on the show.

Considering Cheryl’s already high-level dance experience, she’d surely stomp home with the prize.

Alan Carr

Tim P. Whitby/Getty Images

Ok, we know BBC bosses probably ask Alan Carr to do the show every year, but fans are hoping he takes them up on the offer this time.

Last year, the talkshow host finally hinted that he might go on Strictly, joking on Loose Women: “I will do it, but next year, I've got a busy year. They cornered me and they said, 'Would you do it?’”

Carr did have a busy 2019 - hosting his own game show and serving as a judge on RuPaul’s Drag Race UK - but fingers crossed he’ll have a clearer schedule for this year.

Christine McGuiness

PA

Christine McGuinness told Daily Star that she would “love to do Strictly”.

“Learning a new skill and wearing sparkles, I am there,” she said.

"I have always wanted to learn to dance like they do in Dirty Dancing too. It's my fave movie."

Michelle Keegan

Getty Images for Bauer Media

According to The Sun, bookers are keen to have actress Michelle Keegan follow in the footsteps of her husband Mark Wright.

"Michelle ticks all the boxes," a source told the publication. "She's glamorous, hugely popular and loves the show too.

"Producers are desperate to try and sign her up."

Mark Feehily

(PA Archive/PA Images)

Westlife member Mark Feehily could appear on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing as one half of another same-sex pairing.

According to The Sun on Sunday, a source said: “Mark is a massive fan of Strictly, and the boys actually performed on the show last year. 

“Nearly all the celebs are now signed up, but the Beeb are really keen to make this work and get him on board last minute.”

Feehily indicated his interest in 2019, saying: “It would have to be with a guy as it would feel strange for me to go with a girl.

“Well it wouldn’t feel strange but why wouldn’t I do it with a guy?”

Catherine Tate

(Dave Benett)

The Strictly team are reportedly keen to recruit comedian and actress Catherine Tate for the show.

"The channel is willing to pay big money as she is already a household name and will be a hit with viewers," a source told The Mirror.

Myleene Klass 

(PA)

The presenter and musician is also reportedly being chased by producers to take part.

"Strictly want both [Myleene and former Popstars judge Nicki Chapman] to be in the lineup,” a source told Daily Star. 

“They are household names and haven't really worked together since Popstars, so it would be an amazing reunion."

Ben Shephard  

(Getty Images)

Rumours have circulated that Good Morning Britain’s Ben Shephard is in the running for the next season of the show, and the presenter was asked outright last week whether he was taking part.

When Andi Peters asked the Tipping Point host if the rumours were true, Shephard said he "would love to do Strictly" but there are handful of factors holding him back.

"Firstly as you know I have a degree in dance so I am obviously a good dancer," he said.

"But, my wife really doesn't want me to do Strictly, I have spoken about this publicly.

"She's not interested in me having an affair, which seems very narrow-minded,” he joked.

Adil Ray

(PA)

Ben Shephard’s GMB colleague Adil Ray remained tight-lipped when pressed about Strictly rumours back in June.

"I'm not saying anything!” Ray responded when asked by a colleague if he was taking part.

Angelica Bell

(Gareth Cattermole/Getty)

The One Show’s Angelica Bell has also been rumoured to be taking part in this year’s series.

Speaking to The Sun earlier this month, Bell said: “I like challenges, so who knows?

“I can’t imagine ever learning steps but I like clubbing and think I’m quite a good dancer. But that doesn’t mean it will translate to Strictly.”

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