Strictly Come Dancing line-up is 'almost complete'

21 July 2017

The 'Strictly Come Dancing' line-up is "almost complete."

Martine McCutcheon

The popular ballroom and latin show is set to return to screens in just two months' time and bosses have been frantically trying to persuade celebrities to take part in the competition, and it looks like things are on track as they've almost secured their wishlist.

A source told the Radiotimes.com: "There are now just a handful of famous faces who are yet to sign on the dotted line to take part in the 15th series of the show. There will again be 15 stars taking to the ballroom when the show returns to BBC1 this autumn."

Although the line-up is being kept tightly under wraps for the time being, it's believed Martine McCutcheon has been offered a "six figure sum" to take part in the celebrity dance show this year, after turning down the programme numerous times in the past.

Ruth Langsford has also been asked to slip into her dancing shoes, although she's not yet signed her contract as she's still trying to decide whether she wants to do it.

Bosses may still need to confirm the celebrity line up but, one thing's for certain, there will be plenty of fireworks when the show returns this autumn as the judging panel and troupe of professionals have been given a huge shake up recently.

The forthcoming series will see legendary choreographer Shirley Ballas claim Len Goodman's Head Judge seat following his shock departure at the end of last year and, although the fellow panelists - Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli - are excited to have her on board, they're convinced she'll stand her ground.

Craig told BANG Showbiz recently: "I'm really looking forward to working with our new head judge Shirley Ballas, she's going to be fantastic, I met up with her, she's a real laugh, hopefully we'll get on and it won't be a frosty relationship that I had with Len Goody, Goody, Goodman.

"I suspect we'll clash, she's a purist just like Len was, she's from that ballroom and latin world which is very strict, she's going to be great, she's feisty and she'll be funny too. I think she'll be out there, I think she'll be hard on people, she knows her stuff."