“Strictly Come Dancing” Announces First Contestants for 2024 Season

LONDON, United Kingdom — The popular competitive dancing show “Strictly Come Dancing” has revealed its first two celebrity contestants for the upcoming 2024 season. Comedian Chris McCausland and JLS singer JB Gill will be taking to the dance floor when the show returns this autumn.

McCausland, who is registered blind, will make history as the show’s first blind contestant. The 46-year-old Liverpool-born comedian, who lost his sight in his early 20s due to retinitis pigmentosa, is a regular fixture on British panel shows. He has appeared on “Have I Got News For You,” “8 Out of 10 Cats Does Countdown,” and “QI,” and has also acted in popular series such as “EastEnders,” “Not Going Out,” and the CBeebies show “Me Too!”

Speaking to ITV’s “This Morning,” McCausland expressed his apprehension about joining the show, stating, “I don’t dance, I haven’t danced, I can’t dance, I can’t see the dancing I will have to do. What can possibly go wrong?” He also called his participation the “worst kept secret” in showbusiness, as rumors of his involvement had been circulating for weeks.

Joining McCausland is JB Gill, a member of the popular British band JLS. Gill is no stranger to the “Strictly” dance floor, having previously appeared on the show’s Christmas special over a decade ago. However, he admitted that some dance styles, like ballroom, are “quite alien” to him, and he is looking forward to learning new skills and showing them off to his bandmates.

The announcement of the first contestants comes at a challenging time for the long-running BBC show. In recent weeks, it has been rocked by allegations of abusive behavior and a toxic work culture. Professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have departed the show amid accusations of threatening and abusive behavior, and kicking a celebrity dance partner, respectively.

Actress Amanda Abbington, who was paired with Pernice, received rape threats and found his alleged behavior “unnecessary, abusive, cruel, and mean.” TV presenter Laura Whitmore, Pernice’s 2016 dance partner, also came forward with claims of “inappropriate behavior,” adding that there was a “pattern of behavior that needs to stop.”

Di Prima, who kicked TV personality Zara McDermott during a rehearsal last year, has also left the show. His spokesperson admitted the action was a “mistake,” but denied any intent to harm.

In response to the allegations, the BBC has stated that it does not recognize the claims of a negative workplace culture. However, it has pledged to introduce additional measures to strengthen welfare and support for those involved in the show. These measures include the presence of a chaperone at all times during training room rehearsals.

Despite the controversies, “Strictly Come Dancing” continues to be a highly anticipated part of the autumn television schedule. With McCausland and Gill now confirmed, viewers are eagerly awaiting the announcement of the remaining celebrity contestants who will be competing for the coveted glitterball trophy.

As the show’s 22nd series draws nearer, fans are hopeful that “Strictly” will continue its tradition of providing glittering entertainment while also embracing diversity and breaking barriers.