All of the Strictly stars with dance experience, from Tasha Ghouri to JB Gill
"Get Real-Time Breaking News Alerts In Your Inbox"
Subscribe For Free Breaking News Alerts
Subscribe For Free Breaking News Updates
Please send me emails regarding promotions, events, and news from The Independent. Check out our privacy policy for more information.
Strictly Come Dancing is just around the corner, and enthusiasts are already donning their sleuthing caps to determine which stars might have an edge thanks to their previous dance experience.
Since a significant portion of the celebrities participating in Strictly are involved in acting, singing, or other forms of performance, many of them are likely to have received training in dance or the performing arts.
Contestants frequently face criticism from audiences at home who feel they have an unfair leg up over the others. Many also argue that bringing in these famous personalities has made the amateur dancing competition tougher in recent times. For instance, last year, Layton Williams received similar feedback from viewers who believed his background in West End performances gave him an edge.
The lineup for this year features a skilled commercial dancer, a member of JLS, and a musician with experience performing in the West End. Discover their identities and hear their thoughts on their training below.
Prior to reaching the finals of Love Island in 2022, 26-year-old Ghouri honed her dance skills at the Creative Academy in Slough. She has participated in prestigious dance competitions and focuses on commercial dance, a versatile style often featured in music videos and live performances.
In a roundtable discussion with The Independent and other reporters before the launch of the new series, Ghouri shared that the ballroom style is entirely distinct from the training she underwent in dance school.
Commercial dance is quite distinct from ballroom and Latin styles. I'm finding that I need to break things down and start from scratch. Even the basic cha-cha step feels strange to me. You have to position your feet outward and move your hips, which relies heavily on muscle memory.
"Allowing a guy to take charge is significant."
When asked if she expects any negative reactions because of her past training, Ghouri expressed that she joined the show to bring pride to her family and is eager for a fulfilling experience.
"I need to shut out all that negativity. Fortunately, after spending two years in this industry and going through the experience of Love Island, I've become much more resilient," she explained. "[Strictly] is my ultimate aspiration. It's something I've wished for ages. I'm doing this for myself, my family, and my partner."
Enjoy a 7-day free trial of Apple TV+!
This offer is available exclusively for new subscribers. After a free trial period, the monthly fee will be £8.99. The plan will automatically renew unless you decide to cancel it.
Enjoy a complimentary 7-day trial of Apple TV+.
This offer is available exclusively for new subscribers. After the free trial period, the monthly fee will be £8.99. Your plan will automatically renew unless you decide to cancel.
Gill, who gained popularity in 2008 as part of the boyband JLS, has extensive dancing skills from appearing in the group's music videos and showcasing dance routines during their tours.
The artist known for "One Shot" has experienced the excitement of Strictly before; he won the trophy during the 2012 Christmas special after performing a jive to "Rockin' Robin" with professional dancer Ola Jordan.
Before this year's event, Gill mentioned that he had recently completed a tour with JLS, which made him feel physically prepared for the show.
“I just wrapped up a summer tour with the guys, so I’m likely in the best shape I can be,” he shared with The Independent. “I feel physically good right now, but I know that once we start doing all the filming and other activities, my muscles are going to feel it. So I’m getting ready for that.”
EastEnders star Borthwick is fully ready for this year's Strictly after taking home the win in the 2023 Christmas special with pro dancer Nancy Xu.
The couple danced the Quickstep and scored a perfect 40 points from the judges.
Borthwick studied at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where students learn to sing, act, and dance. Notable former students include Daniel Kaluuya, Dua Lipa, and Amy Winehouse.
In an interview with The Independent, Borthwick commented that there were just six months between his two appearances on Strictly: "It feels as if I've been gone for no time at all—what does six months really mean?" he expressed.
Willcox, recognized for popular tracks such as "It's A Mystery," "I Want to Be Free," and "Brave New World," has had a career that has lasted over four decades in both theater and film.
The singer achieved fame in the late 1970s as the lead of the band Toyah, and then launched a solo career in the mid-1980s. In addition, she has taken on various roles as a character actress in West End productions and has gained some experience in performance and dance.
Over the course of her career, she has performed in over 40 stage productions, showcasing her talents in acting, singing, and dancing, and has appeared in more than 20 feature films.
In an interview with The Independent regarding her performance journey, she expressed: "I've been a part of West End productions. However, I see myself as a character actress rather than a dancer, and I'm willing to try anything. This is a completely different style of performance. We need to rotate our feet and twist our backs. We'll be tackling movements that I would typically avoid in a West End production. I believe it will be quite a challenge for all of us."
