The 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to be the biggest shake-up in the show's history, with three new presenters, five new professionals, and a revamped It Takes Two sister show. The BBC's ballroom behemoth faces a make-or-break year, and the lineup has been revealed after a two-month wait. Our ratings predict Lacey Turner as the likely winner, with Jaime Winstone a close second.
Lacey Turner Tops Our Predictions
Lacey Turner, known for her 20-year stint as Stacey Slater in EastEnders, is our top pick for the glitterball trophy. Turner, who also starred in BBC army drama Our Girl, has turned down Strictly for the last decade but says it was “about time” to join. Three former EastEnders castmates – Jill Halfpenny, Kara Tointon, and Rose Ayling-Ellis – have previously won, and Turner is expected to make it four.
Jaime Winstone, daughter of Ray Winstone, is our second choice. She is known for her portrayal of Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic Babs and for playing young Peggy Mitchell in EastEnders flashbacks. Winstone says she “can’t wait to enter my showgirl era,” and her dancing background makes her a strong contender.
Strong Female Contenders Dominate
The women's lineup is notably stronger than the men's, raising the possibility of the first back-to-back female champions since Abbey Clancy and Caroline Flack over a decade ago. Dani Dyer, daughter of Danny Dyer, returns after dropping out last year due to injury. She has won Love Island and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins, and is married to West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen.
Other female contenders include Delta Goodrem, the Australian singer who finished fourth at Eurovision this year, and Dame Sarah Storey, Team GB's most decorated Paralympian with 30 medals. Tabby Stoecker, a skeleton racer who won gold at the recent Winter Olympics, is also expected to impress.
Male Contestants Face Uphill Battle
The men's lineup is weaker, with former England winger Shaun Wright-Phillips, Love Island champion Cach Mercer, and Kim Kardashian's hairdresser Chris Appleton among the contestants. Wright-Phillips, at 5ft 5in, is likely to be paired with a smaller pro, while Mercer's background as a hip-hop dancer may raise ringer concerns. Appleton's inclusion has been questioned, but his celebrity clientele could bring glamour to the show.
Other notable names include Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters, the oldest contestant at 64, and football influencer John Nellis, who has 20 million followers but no dance experience. The series begins this autumn, and the first elimination is expected early on.
