Craig Revel Horwood has revealed the ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ celebrity line-up has been finalised.
The 51-year-old judge is getting ready for the return of the BBC One ballroom competition this September and has spilled how the celebrity contestants are paired up with the professional dancers.
Craig – who has sat on the panel of ‘Strictly…’ since it began in 2004 – says the line-up of famous faces is finalised first and then the dancers are hired based on the proportion of the stars, and as the dancing team has been announced it means bosses have all their stars secured.
Speaking to Chris Evans on his BBC Radio 2 breakfast show, he said: "The judges are told an hour before the press who is actually going to be in the show. We are kept in the dark as much as everybody else. The dancers are matched to the celebrities, the celebrities are chosen first then the dancers are employed after that -this is an exclusive darling!"
So far, contestants rumoured to be appearing are Will Young, Louise Redknapp and Judge Rinder and Craig is hoping her gets to lock horns with the TV legal eagle.
He said: "I’m just hoping that Judge Rinder is on."
Three new dancers are confirmed to be taking part in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this year; Katya Jones, Oksana Platero and Gorka Marquez.
The will be joined by returning professionals Pasha Kovalevsky, Aljaz Skorjanec, Giovanni Pernice, Natalie Lowe, Joanne Clifton, Janette Manrara, Oti Mabuse, Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole and Kevin and Karen Clifton.
Aliona Vilani has also been revealed to be making a shock return to ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ this year as a behind-the-scenes choreographer.
The 32-year-old beauty had quit the programme after taking home the Mirrorball Trophy with Jay McGuiness in 2015.
Craig Revel Horwood spills secret of Strictly star selection
