Everyone’s favourite sequin-filled series returns to BBC One in the autumn.
Strictly Come Dancing has announced its first contestant for the much-anticipated 2023 series, with actor Amanda Abbington set to don sequins in a bid to win the show and lift the coveted Glitterball trophy.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will be returning to host the series, while Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse return to the judging panel, alongside head judge Shirley Ballas.
The 2023 Strictly pro dancer line-up includes the likes of Dianne Buswell, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe. Amy Dowden is unable to return as she undergoes treatment for breast cancer.
Last year’s winning professional, Jowita Przystał – who took home the Glitterball trophy alongside partner Hamza Yassin – and fellow finalists Gorka Marquez, Carlos Gu and Vito Coppola all return, as do Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones and Nikita Kuzmin.
Who is Amanda Abbington?
Age: 51
Job: Actor
Instagram: amanda_abbington74
Twitter: n/a
The actor is best known for playing Mary Morstan in BBC One’s detective drama Sherlock, where she starred opposite then-husband Martin Freeman, while she also appeared as Josie Mardle in ITV period piece Mr Selfridge.
More recently, she has appeared in UKTV comedy We Are Not Alone, Netflix fantasy series Lockwood & Co. and BBC Two anthology Inside No. 9.
What has Amanda Abbington said about joining Strictly 2023?
Abbington said: “I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things!
“Plus, I get to learn to dance which I am incredibly excited about. I’m really looking forward to the training too, I’m quite competitive as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start!”
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 start?
There’s no confirmed launch date for Strictly Come Dancing 2023 just yet, but the show is widely expected to return to its usual premiere slot in late September.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer later this year. Check out more of our Entertainment coverage or visit our TV Guide and Streaming Guide to find out what’s on.
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