It's finally that time of the year when we'll get to watch a bunch of famous faces strut their stuff on the dancefloor which can only mean Strictly Come Dancing is back.
Fifteen hopeful celebrities have already been hard at work in training and will soon be dancing to millions on primetime Saturday night TV in a bid to become the latest champion of the BBC One dance contest and walk away with the coveted Glitterball trophy.
The action officially begins with the launch show on Saturday night, September 16, where viewers will get to see Layton Williams ready to take the ballroom by storm for the first time.
Try MEN Premium for FREE by clicking here for no ads, fun puzzles and brilliant new features.
Layton is a film and theatre actor and has performed in London’s West End, with performances such as the title role in Billy Elliot and Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. Born in Bury, Greater Manchester, his stage shows also include Thriller Live, Rent, Hairspray and New Adventures.
The 28-year-old is best known on TV for playing Stephen Carmichael in the Bad Education movie and recently rebooted series. Layton is also the voiceover artist for the UK's first gay dating show, I Kissed a Boy, on the BBC.
Running his own performing arts company ‘Pros from the Shows’ with hopes to inspire the next generation of performers, over the years he has been the recipient of multiple Black British Theatre Awards, plus an Attitude Award for his work and visibility in the LGBTQ+ community.
Layton said of taking part in the show: "Absolutely buzzing to confirm that I will be taking part in THE most iconic dance competition in the UK! It's time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!"
The other 14 celebrity contestants this year are former Family Fortunes presenter Les Dennis, ex-tennis player Annabel Croft, British actor Nigel Harman, EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, Paralympian Jody Cundy, former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, actor Adam Thomas, Love Island star and documentarian Zara McDermott, broadcaster Angela Rippon, Channel 4 news presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Irish TV presenter Angela Scanlon, actress Amanda Abbington, radio presenter Nikita Kanda and comedian Eddie Kadi.
Strictly Come Dancing starts on Saturday, September 16, with the pre-recorded launch show airing on BBC One from 6.35pm to 8.20pm. The first live show will air on Saturday, September 23.
