The Class of Strictly Come Dancing 2019 is complete!
In what feels like record time, the final four celebrities who will be donning their dancing shoes have been revealed, leaving us with a grand total of 15 contestants this year.
The final four celebrities are:
Alex Scott
Alex is a pundit, presenter and former professional footballer, best known as the former Arsenal Captain and Lioness. Among her many incredible football achievements, Alex signed with Arsenal at the age of eight and stayed with the team for most of her career including helping them achieve a domestic double of the FA Women’s Cup and the FA Women’s Premier League. She also represented Great Britain at the 2016 Olympics.
Alex said: “I am absolutely buzzing to be signed up to Strictly. It’s the show I’ve always wanted to do and I can’t believe I’m finally going to be part of it. I’m super excited, but also terrified at the same time… The football pitch is a bit less glam than the ballroom, but I’m ready to try the sequins and dresses! Bring it on!”
Get ready to roar for Lioness and @BBCMOTD presenter @AlexScott! It's time for her to tackle #Strictly ??https://t.co/nQlVdO6wIN pic.twitter.com/RKH6V3Uxde
— BBC Strictly ? (@bbcstrictly) August 6, 2019
Dev Griffin
DJ and presenter Dev can be heard on BBC Radio 1 where he currently hosts the weekend afternoon shows with Alice Levine from 1-4pm. Previously he hosted the early breakfast show, warming up for then hosts Chris Moyles, and later Nick Grimshaw.
Taking the competition very seriously, Dev said: “I just can’t believe I’m doing Strictly, it just doesn’t feel real yet! It’s going to be so much fun, but just to be clear, I’m not doing this to take part, I’m totally in it to win it! I can’t wait to meet my partner and start practising.”
He knows his way around the decks, but how about the dance floor? @BBCR1's Dev Griffin @dev_101 is our next #Strictly celeb! https://t.co/151krnFEM2 ? pic.twitter.com/7MYZG63q3q
— BBC Strictly ? (@bbcstrictly) August 6, 2019
James Cracknall
Olympic rower James Cracknell was the penultimate contestant to be announced and is set to be super competitive on the dancefloor. He is a double gold medallist, winning in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004. Since then, he has competed in a number of gruelling and dangerous challenges which have pushed him to his limits.
Ready to take on a different kind of challenge, he said: “I’m really looking forward to being a part of Strictly this year. Having spent so many years mucking around in a rowing boat with big men in tight lycra, it’s time I learned a new skill. I need to apologise to my kids in advance for the embarrassment.”
Strictly 2019 just got even more oarsome! Say hello to Olympic rower @jamescracknell! ?https://t.co/smJWIBMJ39 pic.twitter.com/dIJroXyr0N
— BBC Strictly ? (@bbcstrictly) August 7, 2019
Anneka Rice
This year’s final contestant is all round adventure woman Anneka Rice. The broadcaster shot to fame in the UK as the Sky-Runner on Channel 4’s Treasure Hunt, and became a household name due to her own devised show Challenge Anneka. She has also done a lot of radio work including years presenting the Radio 2 Saturday Breakfast Show.
Anneka said, “I haven’t danced since I was 7 and Miss Beer sent me home from my ballet class because I was hopelessly uncoordinated. My family and friends haven’t seen me dance since, not at a wedding or round a handbag so it’s going to be a challenge for my partner. In fact I’ve asked for two, one on each side. I can’t see myself in a long frilly dress either. But I’m feeling recklessly excited. Strictly has always been my autumn’s entertainment and now I’m part of it! My children will probably leave the country”.
We challenge Anneka to one series of #Strictly. Ready to sparkle it's national *treasure* ?@AnnekaRice ?https://t.co/vAZhAIg79U pic.twitter.com/lEXlsccX82
— BBC Strictly ? (@bbcstrictly) August 7, 2019
They join the completed line up of: footballer David James, comedian Chris Ramsey, EastEnders star Emma Barton, social media star Saffron Barker, actress Catherine Tyldesley, BBC Breakfast’s Mike Bushell, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual, Viscountess Emma Weymouth, RuPaul Drag Race’s Michelle Visage, Paralympic champion Will Bayley, and Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to our screens this Autumn.