All of the Strictly stars with dance experience, from Tasha Ghouri to JB Gill
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Strictly Come Dancing is set to return to our screens soon, and fans are already on the lookout to uncover which celebrities might have an edge because of their prior dance experience.
Since many of the stars participating in Strictly are actors, singers, and performers, a significant portion of them likely have backgrounds in dance or theatrical arts.
Contestants often face criticism from audiences watching at home, with many arguing that they have an unfair edge over their fellow competitors. Additionally, some believe that bringing in celebrities has made the amateur dancing competition more cutthroat in recent years. For instance, last year, Layton Williams received similar backlash from viewers who felt that his background in West End performances gave him an unfair advantage.
This year's cast features a skilled commercial dancer, a member of the boy band JLS, and a musician with experience performing in London's West End. Discover their identities and insights about their training below.
Prior to her journey as a finalist on the 2022 season of Love Island, 26-year-old Ghouri honed her dancing skills at the Creative Academy in Slough and participated in significant dance competitions. She focuses on commercial dance, a versatile style that is often showcased in music videos and during live performances.
In a roundtable discussion with The Independent and other reporters before the new series, Ghouri shared that the ballroom style of dancing she’s learned is quite different from the training she got at dance school.
"Commercial dance is quite distinct from ballroom and Latin styles. I'm still in the process of breaking things down and starting over. Just walking in a cha cha step feels unusual for me; you need to angle your feet out and move with your hips, so it really relies on muscle memory."
"Allowing a man to take charge is quite significant."
When discussing the possibility of facing criticism because of her past training, Ghouri expressed that she joined the show with the intention of making her family proud and is excited about having a positive experience.
"I need to tune out all that negativity, and thankfully, after spending two years in this industry, I've become a lot more resilient since my time on Love Island," she explained. "[Strictly] is my ultimate goal. It’s something I've wanted for ages. So, I'm doing this for myself, my family, and my partner."
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Gill, who gained recognition in 2008 with his boyband JLS, has extensive dance experience from appearing in the group’s music videos and showcasing choreography during their tours.
The "One Shot" artist has experienced Strictly before, as he won the trophy during the 2012 Christmas special. He showcased his jive moves to "Rockin' Robin" while paired with professional dancer Ola Jordan.
Before this year's event, Gill mentioned that he had recently wrapped up 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 probably in the best shape I can be," he shared with The Independent. "I feel pretty good physically, but once we start handling all the frames and everything, I have a feeling my muscles are going to be sore. So I'm getting ready for that."
EastEnders star Borthwick is already set for this year's Strictly, having emerged victorious in the 2023 Christmas special with the help of professional dancer Nancy Xu.
The duo danced the Quickstep and scored a perfect 40 points from the judges.
Borthwick studied at the Sylvia Young Theatre School, where students learn skills in singing, acting, and dancing. Notable former students include Daniel Kaluuya, Dua Lipa, and Amy Winehouse.
In an interview with The Independent, Borthwick noted that his two appearances on Strictly were just six months apart. He remarked, "It feels as if I never really went away—what does six months even mean?"
Willcox, renowned 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 gained recognition in the late 1970s as the lead of the band Toyah, and later ventured into a solo career in the mid-1980s. In addition to her music career, she has also taken part in various roles as an actor in West End productions, and has gained 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, she shared her thoughts on her performance journey, saying, “I've been a part of West End productions. However, I'm more of a character actress than a dancer, and I'm willing to try anything. This performance style is completely different. We need to position our feet outward and twist our backs. We'll be tackling movements that I wouldn’t normally opt for in a West End show. I believe it’s going to be quite a challenge for all of us.”
