The 17th series of the NTA and BAFTA award-winning entertainment show produced by BBC Studios will return in the autumn on BBC One putting the sparkle back into Saturday and Sunday nights.
David James MBE is the first celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
David James MBE is a former England No.1 goalkeeper.
David said: "I'm really excited to be on Strictly this year. Not just competing against this year's stars, but being compared to previous sport stars from previous Strictly seasons. I have some big shoes to fill, #LetsGetLive"
Starting his career at Watford he went on to play for a number of clubs including Liverpool, where he lifted the League Cup in 1994-95, and Portsmouth, whom he helped to FA Cup success in 2007-08. He amassed 53 caps for his country over an international career spanning 13 years and was first choice at both Euro 2004 and the 2010 World Cup. He also holds the Premier League record for the most clean sheets, with 173.
David, who has worked as a football analyst for the BBC & BT Sport, was awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to football and charity, hung up his boots in 2013 after finishing his career at Icelandic club IBV.
Aside from football James has also modelled for Giorgio Armani and H&M as well as being an avid artist, and was the illustrator on the children's book Harry's Magic Pockets: The Circus.
Chris Ramsey is the second celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Chris Ramsey is a critically acclaimed Stand Up Comedian and regular face on TV.
Chris said: “I’m both excited and absolutely terrified to be doing the show. You will not find me on the dance floor at parties, you will find me at the buffet table. All night. At my wedding I danced with my wife; that one song took about 6 months practice, and I definitely stood on her feet a couple of times. So I’m looking forward to the possibility of making a fool of myself in front of millions of people… there better be a buffet after the live shows.”
With two series of The Chris Ramsey Show (Comedy Central UK) under his belt, he is also a regular face on other entertainment shows such as Celebrity Juice (ITV2), Never Mind the Buzzcocks (BBC Two), 8 Out of 10 Cats (Channel 4), The John Bishop Show (BBC) and Live at the Comedy Store (Comedy Central). He has also appeared on TV hosting Stand Up Central (Comedy Central), and I’m a Celebrity: Extra Camp (ITV2) as well as performing on the Royal Variety Performance (ITV) and Live at the Apollo (BBC1).
In addition to his television work, Chris has also completed sell-out tours across the UK with The Most Dangerous Man on Sat Morning Television, Feeling Lucky, Offermation (nominated for an Edinburgh Comedy Award), All Growed Up. Chris finished touring the Uk last year with his 106 date stand-up tour Chris Ramsay Live 2018: The Just Happy To Get Out of the House Tour.
Emma Barton is the third celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019
Emma is best known for playing Honey Mitchell in EastEnders.
Emma said: “As possibly one of the biggest Strictly fans on the planet, I still can’t believe this is happening. I’m very much a dance around your handbag kinda girl, but now I've been given this wonderful opportunity to learn all the different styles of dancing from the very best in the business. So, I’m whipping off Honey's “Minute Mart” tabard & diving right in to all the glitter & sparkle. From Albert Square to the Strictly dance floor - I just can’t wait!”
Emma has been part of many memorable storylines including Honey’s weddings and failed marriage to Billy Mitchell. Honey is currently in a relationship with Adam but with her suspicions growing about his relationship with Habiba, will Honey learn the truth and tell Adam to Waltz off?
As well as many on screen roles, Emma is also an accomplished stage actress with theatre credits including: Roxie Hart in Chicago, Dolly in the National Theatre’s production of One Man Two Guvnors; Vera in Doctor in the House; Lily in Annie; Marty in Grease; Eileen in Over the Moon.
Emma is a proud patron of Down’s Syndrome Association and Portsmouth Down Syndrome Association, and recently ran the London Marathon as one of Dame Barbara Windsor’s ‘Revolutionaries’, in aid of Dementia Revolution.
Saffron Barker is the fourth celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019
Saffron Barker is a social media star.
Saffron said: “I am really excited to go on the Strictly journey and am feeling very grateful for the opportunity! I’m looking forward to learning all of the dances, finding out who my partner is, getting to wear the costumes and to just experience this once in a lifetime opportunity.”
19-year-old Saffron has over four million followers across her combined social channels and averaging 15 million views a month on her YouTube channels. In 2017 Saffron’s book ‘Saffron Barker Vs Real Life’ reached number one on the Sunday Times bestsellers list and her popularity has also gained her three successful homeware ranges with Primark.
Saffron is also a supporter of several charities and this year completed the London Landmarks Half Marathon for the Make A Wish foundation. She also completed her first marathon, the London Marathon, running for Dementia Revolution in memory of her Great Grandad Ted.
Catherine Tyldesley is the fifth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Catherine Tyldesley is an actress, best known for playing Eva Price on the ITV soap opera Coronation Street from 2011 to 2018.
Catherine said: “I’m thrilled to be a part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. I’m a huge fan of the show. It’ll be my biggest challenge to date as I’m not much of a dancer, but I’ve always wanted to learn the skill and the time feels right! I’m nervous as hell but super excited to work with such talented professionals. Hold onto your jazz shoes... mine is sure to be a bumpy/clumsy/fun ride!”
Recently Catherine also starred in the Channel 5 series 15 Days and has finished filming the new six-part comedy series Scarborough, written by the creator of long-running sitcom Benidorm, coming soon to BBC One. She also played the lead role of Iris Moss in BBC drama Lilies and has further credits in Holby City, Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps, Sorted, Florence Nightingale Red Riding, Shameless and Trollied.
Mike Bushell is the sixth celebrity contestant confirmed for the brand new series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Mike Bushell is a sports presenter.
Mike said: “I am so excited to be joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing. I’ve heard so many wonderful things from colleagues over the years so thrilled I’m now getting the chance. I know I will completely throw myself into the whole experience and I’m sure will love it from start to finish. I may have tried and profiled over 500 sports over the years in my Saturday morning BBC Breakfast slot but think the Strictly challenge could be the greatest. Bring on the glitter!”
Mike presents the main sports bulletins of the day on BBC Breakfast, as well as profiling main stream sports events from the Olympics, Paralympics, the Winter games, Football World Cups, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games, with the top stars, whether it be a game of tennis against Novak Djokovic, or trying to bowl out Alastair Cook, during his Saturday morning slot on Breakfast.
For Comic Relief he also holds the unusual world record for crossing one mile of water in a large inflatable ball in 1 hour 57 seconds.
Karim Zeroual is the seventh celebrity contestant confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2019
Karim is a children’s television presenter on CBBC.
Karim said: “To be offered the chance to take part in Strictly is dumbfounding, I’m pinching myself…! I’m so excited to be Strictlified. I want THE LOT. The skimpiest of clothes, the widest of flares, the brightest of colours and the tallest Cuban heel a guy can find! The more flamboyant the better… sequins galore please!!”
Karim Zeroual has been a CBBC presenter since 2014, presenting directly from the CBBC HQ as well as numerous other titles, including BBC Young Dancer and Wimbledon Live. Karim is currently filming a brand new travel and sport documentary for CBBC called “A Week to Beat the World”, in which he takes three British kids to countries like Guatemala, Brazil and Japan to play the national sports and see if they can beat the locals at their own game.
Karim started his career as a child in West End shows including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang at the London Palladium, The Far Pavilions at the Shaftesbury Theatre and The Lion King at the Lyceum. His TV appearances include EastEnders, Da Vinci’s Demons, Blue Peter, Top Class and Saturday Mash-Up, and most notably the role of Sadiq in sci-fi drama The Sparticle Mystery, which ran for three series between 2011 and 2015 and has had over two million hits on BBC iPlayer to date.
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