Strictly Come Dancing’s celebrity line-up reportedly leaked last week ahead of an official announcement.
The beloved BBC show has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni Penice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean.’ He denies the claims.
It was followed by Graziano Di Prima’s sacking over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals. Graziano has apologised for kicking his former partner and added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it.’
It was also reported that production workers at the hit dance series have alleged they were grilled on their ‘sex lives’ and branding their workplace ‘toxic’.
So as BBC bosses try to save the series they have signed up stars from Giovanni’s ex Tahsa Ghouri to Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham and former footballer Paul Merson.
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Strictly Come Dancing’s celebrity line-up reportedly leaked last week ahead of an official announcement (Giovanni’s ex Tasha Ghouri pictured)
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The beloved BBC show has been engulfed by scandal o save the series they have signed up stars from Giovanni’s ex Tahsa Ghouri to Emmy winner Hannah Waddingham (L) and former footballer Paul Merson (R)
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Giovanni Penice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean.’ He denies the claims.
Giovanni’s ex and former Love Island star Tasha is the latest name rumoured have signed up for the latest series.
The 25-year-old who found fame on the ITV2 series in 2022, enjoyed a number secret dates with Italian pro, 33, just months before entering the villa.
Tasha is also a trained dancer and disability campaigner after being born deaf and fitted with cochlear implants aged five, with bosses said to believe she’d be a ‘top draw’ for viewers.
A source told The Sun: ‘Whilst fans who like a journey will be irked she is a professional dancer, others who enjoy watching incredible moments from the off will be more than satisfied’.
‘She’s also become a powerful force for good campaigning and raising awareness for those with disabilities.
Before adding: ‘The Giovanni link is unfortunate to say the least, but above all else Tasha is a gorgeous girl who deserves this amazing opportunity.’
MailOnline have also contacted Tasha’s reps for comment.
Tasha previously danced for the likes of pop star MNEK, before finding fame and love in the villa with boyfriend Tom Le Page.
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Giovanni’s ex and former Love Island star Tasha is the latest name rumoured have signed up for the latest series
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Tasha is also a trained dancer and disability campaigner after being born deaf and fitted with cochlear implants aged five, with bosses said to believe she’d be a ‘top draw’ for viewers (Pictured with Strictly’s Johannes Radebe at an event in February)
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She found fame on the ITV2 series in 2022, enjoyed a number secret dates with Italian pro Giovanni, 33, just months before entering the villa
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Tasha previously danced for the likes of pop star MNEK, before finding fame and love in the villa with boyfriend Tom Le Page (pictured together on the show)
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Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham, who was branded a ‘national treasure’ following her Eurovision gig in Liverpool last year (pictured) is also said to be slipping on her dancing shoes
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The actress, is friends with judge Anton Du Beke and his wife Hannah – and was first approached by producers earlier this year (pictured with Giovanni Pernice)
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Hannah has had a number of career wins in recent years, having won an Emmy in 2021 for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso (pictured)
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Last year she presented the Olivier Awards (pictured) and she also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest with Graham Norton and Alesha Dixon in May last year
She has since gone on to bag huge modelling contracts with brands ASOS and Ann Summers.
MailOnline revealed Giovanni and Tasha connected via Instagram and messaged privately on the app, which eventually led to the pair meeting in January 2022 – a month after he won Strictly with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
He wined and dined the stunner but their fling fizzled out due to him being on the Strictly tour.
A source close to Tasha said at the time: ‘Giovanni was persistent when it came to Tasha’.
‘They have a lot in common, both being dancers, and he had just learned a lot about the deaf community performing with Rose on Strictly, who Tasha really admires.
‘Tasha was impressed by how gentlemanly he was, taking her out to top London restaurants and offering to send cars to collect her, but she’s independent and always made her own way to see him.
‘Their romance didn’t progress because Giovanni was travelling a lot with the Strictly tour and Tasha was already involved with someone else.’
Meanwhile Ted Lasso’s Hannah Waddingham, who fans branded a ‘national treasure’ following her Eurovision presenting stint in Liverpool last year is also said to be slipping on her dancing shoes.
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Joining her is TOWIE star Pete Wicks despite the news his close pal Zara McDermott was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima last year
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The reality star has signed up for the show just days after it emerged that his close pal Zara McDermott (pictured in December) was abused by her dance partner Graziano Di Prima
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Graziano was sacked from Strictly after he was accused of kicking and spitting at former Love Island star Zara (pictured on the show)
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Former Arsenal player and Sky Sport’s pundit Paul, 56, has bagged a six-figure deal to appear in the new series due to footballers ‘doing well’ with fans, according to reports
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Paul played for Arsenal between 1985 and 1997, as well as representing England and earning 21 caps for his country (pictured 2003)
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Since turning his attentions to broadcasting he has spoken about his struggles with addiction in TV documentaries, including ITV’s Harry’s Heroes: The Full English in 2019 (Paul pictured in 1993)
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Beloved comedian Sarah Millican’s name was also leaked
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She will be swapping the stand-up stage for the dancefloor
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DIY SOS’ Nick Knowles, 61, signed up after months of talks with show bosses, with sources claiming he’s ‘willing to give anything a crack’
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Nick previously showed off his dance skills while attending a rugby match with pal Ben Shephard , in an Instagram post in March, leading one fan to ask whether a Strictly stint was on the horizon
The actress, 49, is friends with judge Anton Du Beke and his wife Hannah – and was first approached by producers earlier this year.
An insider told the Daily Mirror at the time: ‘She loves the show – she has heard so much about it from Anton and Hannah, as she is a close friend to both – and is keen to do it.
‘It’s just a question of whether or not it’s possible to fit it into her schedule – obviously it’s a very big commitment, and she is incredibly in demand at the moment.’
Hannah has had a number of career wins in recent years, having won an Emmy in 2021 for her role as Rebecca Welton in Ted Lasso.
Last year she presented the Olivier Awards and she also hosted the Eurovision Song Contest with Graham Norton and Alesha Dixon in May last year.
Joining her is TOWIE star Pete Wicks despite the news his close pal Zara McDermott was physically and verbally abused by her professional dance partner Graziano Di Prima last year.
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After quitting her tole of Whitney Dean in EastEnders earlier this year Shona McGarty will reportedly return to the BBC to dance her socks off
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The actress appeared in the BBC soap from 2008 until 2024
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Death In Paradise’s Raf Little has also has reportedly signed up for new the series amid the ongoing ‘abuse’ scandal
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Bookies have predicted that he could be in the running to star on the BBC show as his odds currently sit at 4/7
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Despite leaving BBC Radio 1 for rival station Capital Jordan North is said to be returning to the broadcaster for Strictly
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Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati (L) and Loose Women presenter Janet Street-Porter (R) were also reportedly on the list
Pete’s signing may come as a surprise to some viewers, given his friendship with Zara, and her boyfriend Sam Thompson.
A source told The Sun: ‘Pete has joined the Strictly line up and is excited to get started.
‘He isn’t much of a dancer but that’s what the BBC loved about him. They wanted the show to feel more like it did in the beginning. Pete is also going to attract younger viewers who have followed his career since Towie.’
Previously Pete has appeared on Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and The Real Full Monty, and last year he was seen watching in the audience when Zara competed on Strictly with Graziano.
Former Arsenal player and Sky Sport’s pundit Paul, 56, is said to have bagged himself a six-figure deal to appear in the new series due to footballers ‘doing well’ with fans, according to reports.
With Paul also believed to be able to tug at audience’s heart string following his years battling addiction.
The athlete played for Arsenal between 1985 and 1997, as well as representing England and earning 21 caps for his country.
Since turning his attentions to broadcasting he has spoken about his struggles with addiction in TV documentaries, including ITV’s Harry’s Heroes: The Full English in 2019.
Telling host Harry Redknapp: ‘Addiction is the most lonely of places and I’ve had three of the worst types over three decades. Never be afraid to talk, you’re never alone’.
DIY SOS’ Nick Knowles, 61, signed up after months of talks with show bosses, with sources claiming he’s ‘willing to give anything a crack.’
Nick previously showed off his dance skills while attending a rugby match with pal Ben Shephard, in an Instagram post in March, leading one fan to ask whether a Strictly stint was on the horizon.
He previously joined forces with Strictly professionals including Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk, for a special episode of DIY SOS, where they transformed a performing arts school in North Tyneside.
Blue member Duncan James (L) also appeared on the alleged list alongside The One Show’s Jermaine Jenas (R)
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Swapping the Tardis for the Tango will be former Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie
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Chris McCausland was also on the list, after the comedian failed to deny the Strictly rumours last month during an interview with Gyles Brandreth , who also made the ‘leaked list’
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Britain’s most successful female Olympian Dame Laura Kenny will also reportedly be strutting her stuff
CBBC actress Kia Pegg (L) has also been tipped alongside comedian Sunil Patel (L)
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Outnumbered star Tyger Drew-Honey completes the list ahead of the sitcom’s return to BBC this Christmas
The actor’s odds are better than some of his rumoured co-stars, according to The Sun.
As he is rumoured to be joining the likes Coronation Street star Shobna Gulati, Loose Women presenter Janet Street-Porter, Blue singer Duncan James and Tracy Beaker Returns star Kia Pegg.
Chris McCausland , after the comedian failed to deny the Strictly rumours last month during an interview with Gyles Brandreth, who also made the ‘leaked list’.
Elsewhere Olympic legend Dame Laura Kenny, Outnumbered star Tyger Drew-Honey, Sarah Millican and Doctor Who star Pearl Mackie also appeared on the list.
The final names were reportedly actor Sunil Patel, radio presenter Jordan North, former professional footballer Jermaine Jenas and EastEnders star Shona McGarty.
According to a Reddit post seen by Metro, all 15 stars set to compete have been leaked in an ‘alleged list’.
The post reportedly included a screenshot from an Instagram Story shared to someone’s close friends, suggesting it wasn’t meant for public knowledge.
The caption reportedly read: ‘Got this off of a friend, this seems so exciting! Can’t wait for this, especially Hannah Waddingham.
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And now, according to The Observer , production workers at the hit dance series have alleged they were grilled on their ‘sex lives’ – branding the work place ‘toxic’
When contacted about the alleged list, Strictly representatives at the BBC told MailOnline that celebrity contestants for this series will be announced in due course.
Death In Paradise’s Raf Little has also has reportedly signed up for new the series amid the ongoing ‘abuse’ scandal.
He quit the lead role in Death In Paradise after five years earlier this year, with a final appearance in March’s series 13 finale.
Bookies have predicted that he could be in the running to star on the BBC show as his odds currently sit at 4/7.
Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Line-up
Hannah Waddingham
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Age: 50
Profession: Actress
Tasha Ghouri
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Age: 25
Profession: Love Island star and model
Pete Wicks
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Age: 35
Profession: TOWIE star
Paul Merson
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Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer and Sports pundit
Ralf Little
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Age: 44
Profession: Actor
Sarah Millican
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Age: 49
Profession: Comedian
Nick Knowles
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Age: 62
Profession: TV presenter
Shona McGarty
Age: EastEnders star
Profession: 32
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Jordan North
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Age: 34
Profession: Radio DJ
Pearl Mackie
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Age: 27
Profession: Doctor Who star
Janet Street-Porter
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Age: 77
Profession: Loose Women panellist
Dame Laura Kenny
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Age: 29
Profession: Olympic cyclist
Shobna Gulati
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Age: 57
Profession: Actress
Jermaine Jenas
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Age: 41
Profession: The One Show host
Duncan James
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Blue member Duncan James (L) also appeared on the alleged list alongside The One Show’s Jermaine Jenas (R)
Age: 46
Profession: Blue star
Kia Pegg
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CBBC actress Kia Pegg (L) has also been tipped alongside comedian Sunil Patel (L)
Age: 24
Profession: Actress
Chris McCausland
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Age: 47
Profession: Comedian
Tyger Drew-Honey
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Age: 28
Profession: Actor
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Source: The Wall Street Journal
