Strictly Come Dancing is back for its 20th series with a number of London born contestants preparing to jive, tango and waltz their ways into our hearts.
Marking the start of the nights drawing in, Strictly Come Dancing is a generational favourite, it’s hard to imagine a time when people won’t crowd around the TV on a Saturday night itching to see all the sparkle, glitter and harsh Craig Revel Horwood comments which the show provides.
There are 15 new contestants are competing to lift the famous glitterball trophy, amongst them are five London born celebrities.
- Fleur East
East, 34, who hails from Walthamstow is no stranger to our television screens, having entered the hearts of the British public when she reached the X factor finals in 2014.
Prior to fame, East attended technology college in Walthamstow and Queen Mary University, London where she studied journalism and contemporary history.
Subsequent to X factor East has been on television shows like, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here and Ant & Dec’s Saturday Night Takeaway.
East has said she is competing in Strictly for her late father Malcolm who loved the show and passed away in 2020.
East has remained down to earth, often supporting charities and communities around London, read more about it here.
2. Matt Goss
Goss, 53, made up one half of the Eighties pop brand Bros, where he sang alongside his twin brother Luke.
Born in the London borough of Lewisham, Goss is representing south east Londoners in Strictly this year.
Known for writing the theme song for So You Think You Can Dance it awaits to be seen whether he can live up to his lyrics.
3. Tony Adams
Former English football manager and player Tony Adams is swapping his football boots for dancing shoes this autumn on Strictly.
Born in Romford, Adams is a London boy at heart having grown up in Dagenham and played for Arsenal for 19 years.
At 55, he is not the first footballer to appear on the show, with Alex Scott and Robbie Savage having performed in previous shows and finishing in respectable fifth and sixth places.
Strictly have asked him to appear three times before, but 2022 is the year we get to see no nonsense Adams cha-cha-charing in sequins.
4. Molly Rainford
Whilst adults watching Strictly might turn around and say “Who’s this?”
Strictly’s young fans will recognize Rainford, 21 as as the titular character in the CBBC comedy drama series Nova Jones.
Like East, Rainford is no stranger to reality shows as a finalist on the sixth series of Britain’s Got Talent way back in 2012.
Born in the London Borough of Havering, Rainford is sure to gain some more London fans following her stint on Strictly.
5. Tyler West
Last in the London born strictly line up is DJ and television presenter, Tyler Mark West.
Like Molly, at 26 Tyler is a younger member of the 2022 Strictly line up and is also part of the CCBC family.
Born and raised on a council estate in Sutton, West represented the GB Handball national team from a young age.
Battling to be his mum’s favourite son by lifting the glitterball trophy, West will be the one to support for south Londoners.
The joy of Strictly is never truly knowing who will be the next Bill Bailey or Ed Balls. Will these Londoners triumph on the Strictly dancefloor or will they be dragged off in the style of Kristina Rihsnoff’s Paso Doble with John Sergeant.
For now we cannot wait for these Londoners to keeppp dancing and do London proud on Strictly Come Dancing.
Strictly Come Dancing’s launch show airs tonight, on Friday 23 September from 7pm on BBC one and BBC iPlayer.
Featured image credit: BBC
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