Strictly Come Dancing Adds New Celebrities to Line-Up

The line-up for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing continues to grow, with several notable personalities confirmed to take to the dance floor. Among the latest additions is Bethany Antonia, who portrays Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO's 'House of the Dragon'. Antonia, who also stars in the musical 'Hadestown' in London's West End, expressed her excitement about the challenge, stating, "I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill."

Paralympic Champion and Actress Join the Competition

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Great Britain's most successful Paralympian, Dame Sarah Storey, who has won 19 gold medals across nine Paralympic Games, will also participate. Storey, a swimmer and cyclist, described the opportunity as "hugely exciting" and mentioned her daughter's talent for dancing as a motivation. Actress Jaime Winstone, recognised for her role as Barbara Windsor in the BBC biopic 'Babs', is another confirmed contestant. Winstone, who has a background in theatre and film, stated she was "no stranger to a dance floor" but acknowledged ballroom dancing as a new experience, adding, "I love a challenge though, so can't wait to enter my showgirl era and get super sparkly!"

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Broadcaster Will Best, known for hosting 'Big Brother' and the Hits Radio Breakfast Show, is set to swap his presenting duties for the dance floor. He described the prospect as "an absolute dream" but also "pretty terrifying". Celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, who has worked with high-profile clients including Kim Kardashian, Jennifer Lopez, and Katy Perry, is also joining the competition. Appleton, who is returning to the UK for the experience, commented, "I may know my way around a salon floor, but the dance floor is a whole different story - and I can't wait to get started."

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Actress Lacey Turner, best known for her long-standing role as Stacey Slater in 'EastEnders', was one of the first celebrities announced. She shared her excitement and nervousness about joining the show, noting that many friends had participated previously. Dani Dyer, who previously withdrew due to injury, is also returning for another attempt at the competition. The BBC reported that 15 celebrities are expected to be part of the final line-up, with more announcements anticipated in the coming weeks.