Strictly Come Dancing 2024 Celebrities Reveal Why They Signed Up, Who's The 'Dark...

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Strictly Come Dancing is back for the 20th year, once again bringing joy and sparkle to homes across the nation. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Saturday 14 September.

As the nation's favourite dance show celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promises to be extra special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.

The celebrities quick stepping onto our screens this year are Chris McCausland, Jamie Borthwick, JB Gill, Montell Douglas, Nick Knowles, Tasha Ghouri, Tom Dean MBE, Toyah Willcox, Paul Merson, Pete Wicks, Punam Krishan, Sam Quek MBE, Sarah Hadland, Shayne Ward and Wynne Evans.

When you got the call inviting you to take part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024, what made you say yes?

The good thing about stand-up is that a lot of the opportunities that come along on the back of it tend to be things that are outside of your comfort zone. I have found that the further out of my comfort zone I put myself, the more incredible the experience has been. Strictly is so far outside of my comfort zone that it might as well be on the moon. By that rationale, I think it could be the best thing I've ever done. Or three weeks I'll never live down!

Unknown – I've never watched it, for obvious reasons, and I don't get anything really from going back and listening to an episode. I've got no idea what I'm getting myself into!

The series is 20 years old this year. What were you doing 20 years ago or what were you doing at age 20?

My best mate's wife is obsessed with Strictly, so she is probably the best source of information that I have. However, when she found out I was doing it she couldn't breathe properly and her head nearly exploded, and she hasn't been much use to me since. It's not a world I've ever been exposed to and it's hard to understate how things that other people take for granted are unknown to me. It wasn't until three weeks ago that I found out people get fake tans. Then I thought it was just one week, like a fake tan themed week.