Next! Lacey Turner...

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner has revealed that she has turned down Strictly Come Dancing, because she isn't brave enough.

She told OK! magazine: "I have been asked to go on Strictly but I’m rubbish at dancing and I don’t really have the guts. I’d do it if it wasn’t on telly – I just don’t like being on TV!"

But she hasn't ruled it out completely: "Maybe one day I’ll grow a pair and put the shoes on."

Celebrity Nos. 13, 14 & 15: Debbie McGee, Jonnie Peacock & Alexandra Burke

The final three celebrities for Strictly 2017 were announced on The One Show last night.

Former magician's assistant and TV personality Debbie McGee will be joining the show, following in her late husband's footsteps. Paul Daniels appeared in Series 8.

She said: “There are no words to describe how I feel about performing on Strictly Come Dancing. The excitement is overwhelming. I can’t stop smiling. It’s been the hardest secret I have ever had to keep!”

If nothing else, Debbie must have great spacial awareness and body awareness, having spent part of her life squeezing into boxes. And she's not going to be afraid of a skimpy costume and a few sequins!

Paralympic gold medal-winning sprinter Jonnie Peacock MBE is also joining the show.

Jonnie said: “The opportunity to be the first contestant with a disability to take part in Strictly’s main show was too good to turn down. I’ve got no previous dance history outside of the occasional ‘worm’ at a mate’s party and I know this will be a challenge and a new experience. I can’t wait to see what I can achieve and how far I can push myself.”

I think Jonnie could do well. He has lots of personality, and lots of confidence, as you will be able to attest if you have seen him interviewed. And, of course, that's that sportsman work ethic. Sporting celebrities who have even an ounce of rhythm tend to do well.

Winner of The X Factor and West End actress Alexandra Burke, completes the line-up of fifteen celebrities.

Alexandra said: “I am so excited to be joining this year’s Strictly cast! I love this show and have followed it from the beginning, so being able to be a part of it is just a dream come true for me - I still can’t believe it! I am very nervous as I am a singer not a dancer, but I am going to give this my absolute everything and try my best to make everyone proud.”

Alexandra is a strong candidate on paper. She's a singer, she's been in The Bodyguard and Sister Act on stage, working with Craig Revel Horwood on the latter. She should have no trouble on the dancefloor.

So there we have it. Fifteen celebrities, all ready to do battle in the ballroom.

The BBC have not yet announced when the opening show will be transmitted, but as it is being recorded next week, I would expect it to be broadcast on 2nd September.

Celebrity No. 12: Chizzy Akudolu

Former Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu was announced this afternoon as the twelfth celebrity be joining this year's Strictly.

Chizzy said: “When I was 13, I made the finals of a disco dancing competition once but there was this amazing girl who exploded onto the stage with a gorgeous sequined costume, throwing glitter everywhere… I knew it was game over for me. That was then, this is now and this is my chance to have even more sequins!”

I did see Chizzy on Let's Sing & Dance For Comic Relief, but that's the extent of my knowledge of her. Her limited moves at the mic stand looked OK, but she spent half the routine on the deck having 'fainted', so we didn't get to see much of her.

Celebrity No. 11: Charlotte Hawkins

News presenter Charlotte Hawkins was announced this morning as the eleventh celebrity to be a part if this year's Strictly Come Dancing lineup.

The news was announced on Good Morning Britain, on which Charlotte is a presenter. 

She said: "I am so thrilled to be one of the contestants on Strictly this year! I've always been a big fan of the show. It is a dream come true to be taking part and I'll be following in the footsteps of my Good Morning Britain colleagues. I'm looking forward to stepping out from behind the news desk to cha cha cha my way across the dancefloor!"

I am not familiar with Charlotte at all. 

GMTV presenters were generally a disaster area on Strictly - Fiona Phillips, Kate Garraway, Richard Arnold - but Charlotte is the first presenter from the new GMB to take part. Perhaps she can turn the tide.

Goodbye, Sir Bruce

Like most Strictly fans, I was sad to hear the news this afternoon that Sir Bruce Forsyth has died at the age of 89. Bruce has been on TV for my whole life, from the game shows like Play Your Cards Right and You Bet! and the revived Generation Game, to the Sainsbury's ad where he's "I'm An Entertainer" catchphrase began, and on, of course, to Strictly.

I want to share my own memory of Sir Bruce.

I was in the audience for Strictly Come Dancing. It was the first series where the results was pre-recorded. Everyone had been called back into the studio and settled in ready for the recording to start. There was a technical hitch, which delayed things. And then delayed them some more. As the minutes rolled by, the audience became disinterested and restless.

Sir Bruce, ever the entertainer, knew more about audiences than anyone in the business. He turned to the band, and told them to start playing something. He proceeded to sing a song, I forget which one but it was something from the first Strictly album. By the end of the song, the tech issue had been resolved, and Bruce had got the whole room back on side and excited for the recording, which then promptly began.

That was a side of Brucie that you didn't see on Strictly. A total pro, the like of which we will never see again.

Goodbye, Sir Bruce. Keep dancing. You're my favourite.

Celebrity No. 10: Brian Conley

Comedian and presenter Brian Conley was announced today as the tenth celebrity who will be participating in this year's Strictly.

He said: “I'm delighted and honoured to be asked to strut my stuff on this year’s Strictly. My family all love the show and can't wait to see me do my Dad dancing on national television. I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work but I'm up for the challenge, so bring on the spray tan and sequins."

There's been a lot of shouts of 'ringer' directed at Aston, but Brian is no slouch either. He has appeared multiple times in West End and touring productions of musicals, appearing in shows such as Me & My Girl, Barnham, Hairspray and Jolson.

Brian's going to be funny and entertaining, but I think he'll be pretty good too.

Celebrity No. 9: Susan Calman

The ninth celebrity for this year's Strictly Come Dancing is comedian Susan Calman.

Susan is a fan of the show (yay!) and joked on Jeremy Vine's show that her mother will be able to die happy, having finally seen her daughter in sequins and a dress.

She also said: "Being on Strictly is a dream come true. Finally I can reveal the moves I have been practicing in my kitchen to the nation. I am an enthusiastic home dancer and now Saturday nights I'll be dancing in other people's homes in a (hopefully) entertaining way. I am terrified but excited to start my Strictly journey."

I like Susan, and I like this signing. I think she'll throw herself in and give it a go. Not sure she'll be any good, though. And I'm not sure she's well-known enough to have much of a fan-base. I hope I'm wrong, but I don't see her lasting that long.

Celebrity No. 8: Aston Merrygold

Former JLS singer Aston Merrygold was announced yesterday as the eighth celebrity for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Aston was a guest on Scott Mills' show on BBC Radio 1 yesterday, and was clear about his objective: "The aim is to win."

He also said: “I’m so happy to be joining Strictly 2017, it is such a brilliant show and I’ve followed it for years. I’m both nervous and excited to learn from the professionals about a whole new way of dancing!”

Perhaps unsurprisingly, within minutes there were shouts of 'ringer' on Twitter. It's true that, at least on paper, Aston should be capable on the dancefloor. He was a judge on Sky 1's Got To Dance, which means he knows a thing or two about dancing, and can be critical and analytical. He should be able to see and correct his own imperfections.

It will be interesting to see how he gets on.

Celebrity No. 7: Simon Rimmer

Sunday Brunch co-host Simon Rimmer is joining Strictly Come Dancing.

Chef Simon will be hoping to cook up something good on the dancefloor (sorry for the terrible pun - I've been watching this show too long!). He'll be following a long line of chefs which includes James Martin, Gary Rhodes and Ainsley Harriot.

Simon said: “I am so excited, terrified and proud to be invited to be part of Strictly 2017. I've always been a HUUUUGE fan of the show. When I put on my sequins and hit the floor it will genuinely be my very first time dancing ballroom and latin. Nobody will try harder, have more fun or get more out of it than me. I can't wait.”

I like Simon, but I can't see him as a dancer. I hope he gets time to prove me wrong.

Celebrity No. 6: Joe McFadden

Soap actor Joe McFadden has joined the line-up for Strictly Come Dancing.

Joe has been in Holby City and Heartbeat. He's also appeared in other soaps, and has worked in musical theatre.

He said: “Strictly is one of the biggest, most entertaining shows on TV and being asked to be part of it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m thrilled and terrified about in equal measures!”

I have literally no idea who Joe is. I've never seen him before. I'm guessing that with a background in musicals, he'll be able to learn choreography and should do OK.

Celebrity No. 5: Rev. Richard Coles

Reverend Richard Coles was announced this morning as the fifth celebrity to be participating on Strictly. The announcement came on Chris Evans' show on BBC Radio 2, where Richard is a regular contributor.

If you're as old as me, you'll remember Richard from '80s duo The Communards with Jimmy Somerville. He became a reverend in 2005, and returned to the media spotlight through appearances on Have I Got News For You and other shows. He co-presents Saturday Live on BBC Radio 4.

Richard said: “Cometh the hour, cometh the overweight Vicar with arthritis in his knees.”

I am genuinely excited about Richard's signing. He's funny, genuine and a pleasure to listen to. I'm not sure that he'll be the greatest mover - he admitted to Chris Evans that God didn't bless him with dance ability - but I think he'll be a fan favourite. He'll be a nice antidote to all of the pretty pop stars and soap actors.

Celebrity No. 4: Gemma Atkinson

Soap actress Gemma Atkinson was announced this morning as the forth celebrity to be participating in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

Gemma is best-known for playing Lisa Hunter in Hollyoaks, and has also been in Coronation Street and Casualty.

Gemma said: “I am honoured to be asked and so thrilled to be joining Strictly Come Dancing 2017! I'm beyond excited and incredibly nervous but I am looking forward to learning a new skill in ballroom and latin dancing and taking on this new challenge.”

I haven't watched soaps for a long, long time, so soap stars are always a bit of a mystery for me. But last year I had never heard of Danny Mac, and he ended up being one of my favourite of last year, and is up there with my favourites of all time.

Celebrity No. 3: Ruth Langsford

Congratulations to Strictly fan Ruth Langsford, who has finally made it on to the show. 

Ruth was announced as the third celebrity on today's This Morning. 

Ruth said: “I have dreamt about doing Strictly for so long, I can't quite believe my dream has come true! The sum of my dance experience is throwing a few shapes at a party, I've never had a dance lesson in my life. Without doubt it will be the scariest yet most exciting thing I've ever done. It'll be a welcome change worrying about my next hot move instead of my next hot flush!”

I'm really thrilled for Ruth. I love it when genuine fans of the show get to be on it. I know she's going to love it. I hope she does really well.

Celebrity No. 2: Davood Ghadami

EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami was announced this morning as the second celebrity taking part in Strictly Come Dancing.

Davood has been on the soap since 2014. I haven't watched it in a long, long, time, so I am not familiar with him or his character. But does that really matter? It certainly doesn't to me. In six weeks or so, I will almost certainly have an opinion about him.

He said in a statement: “Having the opportunity to take part in this year’s Strictly is such an honour. It’s going to be exciting, challenging and terrifying all at once and I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to dance. See you under the Glitterball!"

Celebrity No. 1: Mollie King

Time to get on board the merry-go-round again! Celebrity announcements are go!

The first celebrity for Strictly Come Dancing 2017 has been announced as Mollie King from girl group The Saturdays.

The news was announced by Nick Grimshaw just after 8am this morning, and Mollie joined him to talk about being a part of the show, telling him she's looking forward to spray tans and wearing pink, and hopes that Craig isn't too mean. She did make a point of saying that she didn't go to stage school. 

I'm sure Mollie will be great. She's musical which is a great starting point, and although that doesn't necessarily translate to fluidity of movement, most music stars have done well. The only music performer to be eliminated first was Goldie, and it's not like he was from a boyband.

Can she get as far as her bandmate from The Saturdays, Frankie Bridge, who was a runner-up in 2014 with Kevin 'Always The Bridesmaid' Clifton?

Welcome Baby Bella!

Aliona Vilani has done a photoshoot with Hello! magazine to introduce her baby daughter Bella, who was born on 10th June.

She told the magazine: "I feel so lucky. We genuinely feel so blessed and happy. We got lucky. She's very chilled. Vincent [Kavanah, Aliona's husband] is, too – as am I when I'm not working. They say a baby is often more calm if the parents are, too."

Read more of the interview in the latest issue of Hello!.