Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Who are the celebrity dancers?

It's time to dust off your dancing shoes and get ready to boogie, because Strictly Come Dancing is back!

This year we'll see a change to the judging line-up, with pro-dancer Anton Du Beke stepping into judge Bruno Tonioli's shoes, as well as a bunch of new pro dancers joining the show!

The full celebrity line up has been revealed, and there will be an all-male pairing for the first time on the BBC One show.

So, we want to know what you are most looking forward to about the return of the most sparkly show on telly.

Scroll down to the comments section and tell us below...

Who are the Strictly Come Dancing contestants this year?

Former England rugby star Ugo Monye was a force on the pitch, but can he also smash it on the dance floor?

Ugo said: "What a dream come true! I can't wait to show everyone I've got more than just dad dancing moves.

"My two beautiful daughters never had a chance to see me on the rugby pitch, so to know they can watch me waltzing and twirling every week is really special to me.

I love an outfit at the best of times, so bring on the sequins!"

Ugo began his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, going on to make 241 appearances for the club, scoring 89 tries, and winning a Premiership trophy. He made his England debut in 2008.

Since retiring in 2015, Ugo has become a sports presenter for BT Sport and ITV. In July 2021, it was announced that he would be one of the new team Captains on BBC One's A Question of Sport.

One of the UK's best swimmers, Great Britain's Adam Peaty is hoping that his legs will work as well on land as they do in the water.

He has two Olympic gold medals, including one from this year's Games in Tokyo, and is an eight-time World Champion.

But can he add dancehall champion to his list of achievements?

Adam said: "I'm really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.

"I'm hoping my competitive nature is going to compensate for my dancing abilities!"

Eastenders actor Rose Ayling-Ellis will be trying to impress the Strictly judges with her dancing skills on the upcoming series of the show. She's the latest celebrity to join the epic line-up.

Rose, who is the first deaf actor to play a deaf character on the popular soap, will also be making history on the dance floor as Strictly's first ever deaf contestant.

"To be the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing is sooooo exciting.. and a little bit scary. It is the hardest secret I have ever had to keep so it feels amazing to finally have this out in the open!," she said.

"I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. But I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill and even better I get to learn whilst wearing beautiful dresses made especially for me!"

CBBC's Matilda 'Tilly' Ramsay is one of the famous faces joining the line-up this year.

She's a chef (yep she's got her own cookery book), social media influencer and presented Matilda and the Ramsay Bunch.

She has 9.5 million followers on TikTok where she posts videos of herself and her dad - famous chef Gordon Ramsay.

The 19-year-old is starting university in September....all whilst training for Strictly.

Tilly said: "I'm so excited and grateful to be joining the Strictly family! I'm always up for fun new challenges and this will be my biggest adventure yet!

"I'm going to put my heart and soul into this and can't wait to get my dancing shoes on and show my Dad how it's really done! Bring on the glitz, glamour and sequins!"

CBBC's own Rhys Stephenson will be swapping the HQ studio for the Strictly dance floor.

The presenter is often seen on the CBBC channel introducing shows such as Blue Peter and Newsround and co-hosts with Hacker T. Dog.

"I am BUZZING to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing 2021. I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation," he said.

Asked whether CBBC viewers will still get to see him on the channel, Rhys said: "I can't just abandon CBBC, I probably won't be on as much obviously, because I'll be rehearsing, but I can't stay away from Hacker the dog that long."

You can find out how Rhys was asked to do Strictly and the outfits he wants to wear on the show here.

Tom Fletcher was the first contestant to be revealed for this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

Tom is an author, composer, musician, singer and songwriter (phew!) and you might know him from the band McFly and as the author of The Christmasaurus and The Creakers.

"I think the fact that I'm actually going to be dancing on Strictly this year has only just started to sink in while I'm writing this! I'm incredibly excited, of course, but also totally terrified!

"My kids were excited too until I started showing them my best dad-dancing in the kitchen. I'm not sure how far they'll get me in the competition but I can't wait to add some new moves to my embarrassing dad-dancing repertoire." he said.

Well, we can't wait to see your dad-dancing Tom!

AJ Odudu was the third contestant to be revealed for this year's Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

She is a TV presenter, who you might recognise from The Voice and The Voice Kids.

She said: "I am beyond chuffed that I am going to be on this year's Strictly Come Dancing and I'm so glad I can finally tell my mum. Her face will be a picture, she's going to be over the moon! I absolutely love the show and am fully committed to making the most of every second of the Strictly experience. Bring it on!"

Actress Nina Wadia was the eleventh celeb to be confirmed. She's known for playing Zainab Masood in the soap EastEnders and recently appeared in the live-action film remake of Aladdin.

You might also recognise her from CBBC's Danny and Mick.

Nina said: "I've always danced like nobody's watching, so if we blindfold the judges I could actually win Strictly 2021."

She received an OBE in the 2021 New Year's Honours List for her services to charity and entertainment.

John Whaite is the fourth celebrity confirmed for the new series of Strictly.

He is a chef, TV presenter and cookery author, who won the third series of The Great British Bake Off.

"I'm so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family. I've been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can't wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth.

"What's more exciting for me, is that I'm going to be one half of the first all-male partnership, which is a great step forward in representation and inclusion. Whoever it is I'm paired with, I hope they are up for a challenge as I want our routines to include lots of spectacular lifts!" he said.

You'll probably recognise Dan Walker from one of the many BBC shows he presents. Dan's been on BBC Breakfast since 2016, presented BBC Olympic Breakfast during this year's games, regularly presents Match of the Day and The NFL Show and used to host Football Focus.

Sounds like his children are going to love him on Strictly as Dan says: "I am definitely excited, a little bit worried, mostly terrified and a small part of me is considering going into hiding! My kids have only ever asked me to go on two shows… Saturday Mash Up and Strictly. I did Saturday Mash Up this summer so… it's time to embrace the sequins."

Hope he won't do any embarrassing dad dancing!

Katie McGlynn is an actress best known for her role as Sinead Tinker in Coronation Street, for which won a National Television Award in 2020. Katie was a regular in Waterloo Road and currently appears in Hollyoaks as Becky Quentin.

Katie said: "I'm so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way. Although I do get to have so much fun as an actress, a lot of my roles have involved quite serious and challenging storylines, so I'm fully ready to let my hair down and do something different, even if it is completely outside of my comfort zone."

Sara Davies MBE, a businesswoman you might have seen on BBC's Dragons Den, is the sixth celebrity to be named for this year's show!

When asked how swapping the boardroom for the ballroom, she said: "My mam and dad are going to be so excited. I'm really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance.

"Truth be told - I haven't got a clue! I've not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little. The business world has taught me that tenacity, drive and determination deliver results, I hope that I can bring that to the dancefloor."

Sara is no stranger to success - she has won more than 30 business awards and was awarded an MBE in 2016 for her services to the economy.

Robert Webb was the second contestant to be announced.

He is a BAFTA award-winning actor, an author and a comedian.

"I am ludicrously excited to be taking part in Strictly this year. It's a big, generous, joyful show and I can't wait to get packed into a spandex onesie and fired from a glitter cannon directly at Claudia Winkleman. At least I think that's what happens.

"My goal is to try to survive from week to week without causing serious injury to myself or innocent bystanders. I know it's going to be a challenge. To do well in this competition is a test of character, although mainly it's a test of dancing." he said.

Comedian and presenter Judi Love was the fourteenth contestant to be announced. Judi is no stranger to competition! You might recognise her from last year's Celebrity MasterChef.

Judi said: "I think I am still in shock that I will be part of this amazing show."

"I'm truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it's actually coming true!"

"I can't lie I'm soooo nervous but excited at the same time!"

Actor, writer and producer Greg Wise was the tenth contestant to be confirmed for this year.

Greg said he wanted to take part in memory of his sister who died five years ago and who was a "huge disco queen".

He said: "I will channel her, as her bro can't dance - but I'm thrilled to be dipping my toes, knees, hips and arms into this wonderful world, and hope to make her proud, and obviously make her laugh..."

Let us know who you are excited to see below...