The Strictly pros were spotted making their way into rehearsals on Wednesday after more stars were confirmed for this year’s line-up.
Karen Hauer and Dianne Buswell flashed their toned abs in leotards and crop tops as they headed into the studio.
The professionals were all smiles after it was confirmed that TOWIE‘s Pete Wicks and the Love Island star Tasha Ghouri would join JLS star JB Gill and blind comedian Chris McCausland.
Dianne kept her red locks lose and sported a quirky patterned bucket hat and chunky cream and neon orange trainers.
Michelle Tsiakkas beamed as she headed in for a day of work sporting a coral red patterned ruffle mini skirt and black vest top with delicate gold sandals.
The Strictly pros including Karen Hauer (pictured) were spotted making their way into rehearsals on Wednesday after more stars were confirmed for this year’s line-up
The professionals were all smiles after it was confirmed that TOWIE ‘s Pete Wicks and the Love Island star Tasha Ghouri would join JLS star JB Gill and blind comedian Chris McCausland
Luba Mushtuk arrived in a pair of leggings and a bra top with an oversized blue shirt and gave a grin to the cameras before heading in to the studio
Luba Mushtuk arrived in a pair of leggings and a bra top with an oversized blue shirt and gave a grin to the cameras before heading in to the studio.
Vito Coppola was in high spirits, smiling and waving to the cameras as he walked in with his dance bag in one hand dressed smartly in a blue shirt and long white shorts.
Despite the negative press, the stars looked positive as they geared up for a full day of dancing.
Strictly continues to battle against more controversy after a slew of former celeb contestants spoke out about the ‘toxic’ nature of the show.
The scandal erupted when Amanda Abbington quit the show in 2023 before claiming her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive – later leaving the show.
Soon after it emerged that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked for ‘kicking’ his partner Love Island star Zara McDermott.
As the stars were getting in shape for the new series, more celebrity contestants were announced.
Sharing the news on the KISS FM Breakfast Show on Wednesday Tasha gushed: ‘Pinch me, I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly Come Dancing!’
Vito Coppola was in high spirits, smiling and waving to the cameras as he walked in with his dance bag in one hand dressed smartly in a blue shirt and long white shorts
Love Island star Tasha Ghouri was one of the stars confirmed for the BBC series on Wednesday, but the BBC could face a new scandal after Tasha’s dance experience was revealed
On Wednesday, Pete Wicks confirmed he was taking part in this year’s Strictly and despite his friendship with Zara there’s reportedly no bad blood between the two
‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true. I know it’s going to be an unforgettable experience and I hope to represent and make everyone proud out on that dancefloor.’
Pete also called into Kiss FM to confirm his signing on Wednesday morning.
He told the show: ‘its a mixture of excited and petrified, generally petrified. I’ve been telling people, can you really imagine me really doing this and their like, yeah your right you wouldn’t.’
‘I’m going to have to switch my phone off now I’ll have a load of messages.’
He revealed that he had already spilled the news to his best friend Sam Thompson, who ‘cried.’
‘I’m not joking he screamed jumped up and down and cried. He has already planned that he is coming every Saturday and hes making T-shirts and he is my number one fan in life, he is already making T-shirts. He’s a bit like Martha in Baby Reindeer.’
Pete is close friends with best pal Sam’s girlfriend Zara McDermott, who starred on the 2023 series of Strictly but there’s no bad blood between the pair.
A source told MailOnline: ‘Zara is so happy for Pete landing the Strictly gig. Her experience on the show was so individual – she hopes no one will go through the same again.
Blind comedian Chris McCausland was the first celeb contestant of the 2024 series, to be uveiled, appearing on This Morning on Monday to announce the news
Later on This Morning JLS star JB Gill was the second celeb confirmed
Tom Dean looked mortified as he was pressed on his upcoming appearance on Strictly Come Dancing after he let slip that he was set to take part in the new series
‘She knows that Pete will have an amazing time and could even impress the judges, he’s incredibly hardworking and a good person, and will thrive in the environment, which can be intense, but he performs best when he’s challenged and under pressure.
‘Zara doesn’t want anything that happened to her to taint his Strictly journey and backs Pete even if it is a bit close to home.’
The latest revelation comes after professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, admitted to kicking Zara during their sessions, causing him to be sacked from the BBC series.
It follows claims his abusive behaviour was caught on video, in clips Zara stated were ‘incredibly distressing to watch.’
MailOnline revealed the former Love Island star, 25, has competed in a number of major dance events and featured in music videos, sparking concern she will have an unfair advantage over her celebrity co-stars.
Last year’s series was tainted by accusations that actor Layton Williams, an experienced West End performer, had the upper hand over his opponents due to his extensive dance background.
And Tasha’s participation on the BBC One show could be equally controversial, given she’s been dancing since the age of five and taken part in competitions.
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, 61, is reportedly putting on his dancing shows and appearing in the hit series this year but has yet to announce anything officially
Other celebs already confirmed to be joining the anniversary series include blind comedian Chris McCausland was the first celeb contestant of the 2024 series, to be uveiled, appearing on This Morning on Monday to announce the news.
The signing is a first for the dance competition which previously featured deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis who won the glitterball trophy alongside Giovanni Pearce in 2021.
Comedian and CBeebies actor Chris, 46, lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa.
Later on This Morning JLS star JB Gill was the second celeb confirmed.
The singer first found fame on the fifth series of The X Factor where he finished as runner-up with the other members of JLS.
The group released for albums before they went their separate ways in 2013, with each member thought to be worth £6million at the time.
The current line up includes Tasha and Pete as well as Chris McCausland, singer JB Gill, 80s rocker Toyah Wilcox, Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishnan and singer Wynne Evans.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year with my family and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied now.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age:36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying. But anyone who knows me knows I love a challenge and trying new things, so I’m genuinely looking forward to getting stuck in.’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m kind of a bit nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
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