Strictly Come Dancing 2014 Cast List: The Complete Celebrity Lineup

Strictly 2014 Judges: Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli - Image Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston

Strictly 2014 Judges: Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli – Image Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston

With the BBC having now officially announced the celebrities taking part in this years series, here’s the complete lineup of Strictly Come Dancing 2014 contestants. In total, 15 couples will compete for the series 12 glitter ball trophy.

Celebrity Cast Line-up

1: Frankie Bridge – Singer with girl-group The Saturdays.

Frankie was the first celeb to be officially added to the Strictly 2014 cast list, and here’s what she had to say about it: “I’m such a huge fan of Strictly! I’ve always wanted to be a part of the show – it looks like so much fun and the costumes are just gorgeous. Like so many little girls, I used to take dance lessons when I was in primary school and I really love dancing but this is going to be so different from anything I have done with The Saturdays. I just can’t wait to get started!”

In addition to currently being in one of the countries top girl-bands and being a former S Club Juniors member, this 25-year-old mum-of-one is also the wife of football player Wayne Bridge.

Judy Murray - Image Credit: BBC/Nora Ryan

Judy Murray – Image Credit: BBC/Nora Ryan

2: Judy Murray – Tennis coach and mother of 2013 Wimbledon champ Andy Murray.

Though some viewers may question whether or not being the mother of someone famous makes them a celebrity in their own right, it should be noted that Judy can also lay claim to having once been Britain’s eighth best female player.

Here’s how the 54-year-old reacted to the news via the official Strictly Twitter account: “I’m a huge Strictly Come Dancing fan but a total armchair dancer. It’s going to be a big challenge for me and for whoever has to dance with me but I absolutely can’t wait to get started!”

3: Alison Hammond – Big Brother contestant and This Morning showbiz reporter.

Having previously appeared on such shows as Big Brother in 2002 and I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here in 2010, Alison has now finally made it to the top of the reality TV ladder. Despite becoming a perennial reality star over recent years, this 39-year-old ex-housemate is probably best known these days for interviewing Hollywood A-Listers on ITV’s This Morning.

Commenting on her appointment to the SCD line-up, Alison said: “I am absolutely overjoyed to be joining the Strictly team. I am ready to immerse myself in glitter and hard work, with a dash of fun along the way!”

4: Thom Evans – Ex-rugby player.

During his rugby career, Thom played 10 international games for Scotland, while at club level, the 29-year-old spent time at London Wasps and Glasgow Warriors. Since leaving the sport, Thom has turned his attention to the worlds of acting and modelling.

This is what Thom had to say about joining the Strictly family: “I’m so happy to be doing the show, I cannot wait to get started. I’m really looking forward to my Strictly makeover – bring on Strictly and bring on the spandex!”

5: Simon Webbe – Member of the boyband Blue.

Most famous for being a singer and dancer with Blue, Simon and the guys have managed to shift an impressive 16 million records worldwide during their time together. No stranger to the ballroom, Simon previously stared on the 2011 Strictly Christmas Special, where he partnered up with Canadian pro Katya Virshilas to dance the cha-cha.

The 36-year-old says: “I am so happy to be joining the team and I cannot wait to get started. I’m hopeful that Strictly Come Dancing will help me to improve on my daddy dancing skills. I want to make my daughter proud and no doubt she will be teaching me a pirouette or two along the way.”

6: Mark Wright – Presenter and ex-TOWIE star.

Since exiting ITV2’s reality series The Only Way Is Essex, Mark has gone on to forge a career for himself as a presenter on both TV and the radio. The 27-year-old appears on such ITV shows as ‘This Morning’, ‘Party Wright Around The World’ and ‘Take Me Out: The Gossip’, while also working as a DJ on Heart FM’s ‘Club Classics’.

Mark said: “Doing Strictly is going to be so completely different from anything I’ve done before. I’m the sort of guy who loves to bust out some moves at a party but I’m certainly not a natural dancer. Any of my friends would tell you that – they call me ‘Markey no-moves’! I’m genuinely petrified about dancing on national telly but Strictly is such an amazing show to be a part of and I can’t wait to get stuck in and give it my all!”

7: Sunetra Sarker – Actress

Probably most famous for playing Dr Zoe Hanna in the long-running BBC One hospital drama Casualty, prior to joining the show in 2007, Sunetra also appeared in such series as Brookside, Doctor Who, Ideal and No Angels.

Sounding somewhat surprised to be joining the Strictly 2014 cast, Sunetra said: “I don’t quite know what I’ve let myself in for… I’m in total denial! But the chance to swap my stethoscope for sequins was just too tempting. I am very excited to be part of the Strictly team!”

8: Jake Wood – EastEnders actor.

Don’t worry if you’ve never heard of Jake, if your not a fan of EastEnders then you have little reason to. Regular viewers of the BBC soap will know the 42-year-old best as Albert Square bad guy Max Branning.

Upon joining the SCD line-up, Jake said: “I’m really relishing the prospect of hitting the Strictly dance floor this year. I’m doing it for all the dads out there and you never know, there’s always a chance of being the first Walford resident to take home the glitterball… Bring it on!”

9: Steve Backshall – Naturalist, author and TV presenter.

This BAFTA Award-winning naturalist is best known for his ‘Deadly’ series of BBC wildlife documentaries. Though primarily targeted at kids, Steve’s fascinating insights and hands-on presenting style make the 41-year-old’s shows worthy of any viewers time.

Looking ahead to his time on the dance floor, Steve said: “My day job filming wildlife in jungles and swamps is nothing like as scary as what is ahead. I think Strictly Come Dancing is going to be my wildest challenge by far!”

BBC Radio 1 Presenter Scott Mills - Image Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston

BBC Radio 1 Presenter Scott Mills – Image Credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston

10: Scott Mills – BBC Radio 1 presenter.

Scott has been working as a Radio 1 DJ for over 15 years now and is one of the networks longest-serving hosts. The 40-year-old is currently hosting the weekday early afternoon show, plus the weekly Official Chart Update.

Scott says: “My listeners are so used to me playing pranks that they’re probably going to think this is just another one. It’s not, I really am doing this! I’m honoured be part of the biggest show on television and hoping this could be the start of a brand-new skill for me. When I was younger, my Nan danced the foxtrot and waltz and it would be great for me to learn those dances, but I will be out of my comfort zone. Whatever happens, I’m really looking forward to the weekly fake tans!”

11: Pixie Lott – Singer, model and actress.

This singer-songwriters first two singles both went straight in at number 1 on the UK charts, with her debut album having so far shifted more than 1.5 million copies. Away from her musical career, Pixie is also an experienced actress and model, plus she even appeared as a guest judge at the 2010 X Factor auditions. With such a wide range of performing talents to her name, this 23-year-old surely enters the 2014 competition as one of the bookies favourites to win.

Here’s what Pixie had to say about her appointment to the Strictly line-up: “I’m so excited to be doing Strictly, it’s going to be a lot of fun. I always want to push myself as a performer so can’t wait to learn the routines.”

12: Caroline Flack – Television presenter.

Caroline is most recognisable as the former co-host of ITV2’s The Xtra Factor, and before that, I’m A Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here NOW! The 34-year-old was replaced on Xtra Factor for 2014 by BBC Radio 1Xtra’s Sarah-Jane Crawford.

Commenting on her shift to rival Saturday night series Strictly, Caroline said: “Ever since I was a presenter on CBBC and used to see the Strictly judges walking around Television Centre I have wanted to be on the show. I am so excited to get started and I just want to get through the first dance with no mistakes… plus I really want to master my ‘dance face’!”

13: Jennifer Gibney – Mrs Brown’s Boys actress.

Jennifer plays the character Cathy in BBC One’s hit sitcom Mrs Brown’s Boys. In real life, she’s married to the shows star and creator Brendan O’Carroll.

Jenny says: “As a child I wrote to Blue Peter asking could I dance with Pan’s People. Now at last I get a chance to earn my badge – excited doesn’t cover it!”

14: Gregg Wallace – MasterChef judge.

Along with John Torode, former greengrocer Gregg has become a household name in Britain as a judge on the reality cooking competition, MasterChef.

Eager to get on the dance floor, the 49-year-old said: “I absolutely love the show and I love dancing! I cannot wait to get engrossed and live in a Strictly bubble!”

15: Tim Wonnacott – Host of Bargain Hunt.

A 61-year-old antiques expert, Tim is best known for hosting BBC One’s daytime series Bargain Hunt. He also narrates the BBC Two show Antiques Roadtrip.

Tim says: “I’m delighted to be joining Strictly Come Dancing. My wife and I are big fans of the show and this year we’ll be celebrating our 30th wedding anniversary. She loves dancing but it’s never really been my specialty. I would love to pick up even just a few moves so that come our anniversary, I can take her out and show her a good time!”

So there you have it, your complete Strictly Come Dancing 2014 cast list all officially confirmed. The 15 contestants are set to enter the Strictly studio for the first time at 8:00pm on Sunday the 7th of September, with a Red Carpet Special airing on the Red Button and iPlayer at 7:00pm on Wednesday the 3rd.

The new series will be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, with Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood all returning to the Strictly judging panel.

Professional Dancers

After a few changes being made to the original line-up announced earlier this year, here’s the revised list of pro dancers who’ll be partnering the series 12 celebs:

Aliona Vilani, Aljaž Skorjanec, Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole, Iveta Lukosiute, Janette Manrara, Joanne Clifton, Karen Hauer, Kevin Clifton, Kristina Rihanoff, Natalie Lowe, Ola Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Trent Whiddon and Tristan MacManus.