Strictly Come Dancing fans say 'genius choice' as first three 2023 stars announced
04.08.2023 - 19:05
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
The first three stars set to take part in this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing have been revealed. The contestants were announced on Friday's episode of The One Show (August 4).
Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, veteran broadcaster Angela Rippon and Bad Education actor Layton Williams were the initial trio whose names were shared on the BBC magazine programme. The corporation's ballroom competition is expected to return this autumn.
Amanda Abbington is an award-winning stage and screen actor who has starred in TV drama series including Sherlock, Mr Selfridge, Wolfe and Desperate Measures. She also had a lead role in the series The Net and feature film The Lost King. Her television acting career spans three decades and she has also performed in plays in theatres across the country, recently starring in the West End transfer of Steven Moffat’s The Unfriend.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing's Aljaz Skorjanec says 'where were you' in cheeky Janette Manrara dig
Amanda's role as Mary Morstan in Sherlock won her the Best Supporting Actress gong at the Crime Thriller Awards, alongside nominations for this role at the Critic’s Choice Television Awards.
She said: “I’m thrilled to have been asked to do Strictly. I’m actually really shy and self-conscious so this will be a great opportunity for me to overcome those things! Plus, I get to learn to dance which I am incredibly excited about. I’m really looking forward to the training too, I’m quite competitive as my family and friends will tell you. I can’t wait to start!”
Meanwhile Angela is an award-winning journalist, TV presenter, newsreader, and author. Her career spans over 50 years, having presented a wide variety of programmes, from hard news and current affairs to quiz