With Series 20 and the 2022 Christmas Special behind us, the Strictly world packs away its glittery decorations for another year. However us fans continue to keep an eye on the media for news and rumours of interest.

At such an early stage of the year, we have to take much of what we read with a large pinch of sparkly salt, but for interest we thought we’d share regular round-ups of what we’re seeing reported.

Below is a round-up to start the year. To help feed our Strictly appetites we’ll look to do a round-up once a month until the show starts in September.

Remember you can track news and rumours on a daily basis on the site.  We hope you enjoy the round-up and do let us know of anything we’ve missed by sharing in the comments below.

Future contestants?

We’ll see lots of celebrity names come and go in the media until the official release of names begins in August. In the meantime, here’s the ones attracting most attention and speculation:

Victoria Derbyshire

The journalist and presenter, who appeared in “I’m a Celebrity… Get me out of here” in 2020,  has suggested she would warmly welcome the opportunity:

• Victoria Derbyshire wants to appear on Strictly Come Dancing
• Victoria Derbyshire makes bid for Strictly Come Dancing

Zara Philips

Daughter of the Princess Royal and niece of the King, Zara is reportedly interested in taking part (and with the approval of the King – he must be a fan!):

• King Charles would ‘fully support’ Zara Phillips on Strictly Come Dancing following Mike Tindall’s I’m A Celebrity stint

Divina De Campo

The ‘Drag Race UK’ star is keen to become the first drag queen to take part saying she would “kill to be on Strictly “:

• Divina De Campo would love to appear on Strictly Come Dancing 

Matt & Emma Willis

Rumours abound that Strictly bosses are keen to introduce a celebrity couple and have approached Emma and Matt Willis who are keen to do it if they can manage it with other commitments:

• Strictly Come Dancing bosses ‘want Emma and Matt Willis’ for 2023
• Emma Willis and husband Matt eyed up for Strictly Come Dancing as bosses want celebrity couple to compete against each other
• Strictly bosses ‘considering major shake-up with two stars in the mix for new role’

Nicola Roberts

After impressing Craig with her stunning Waltz in the Christmas Special, social media erupted with fans keen to see Nicola return for the main show in 2023. This would make her the fourth celebrity to appear in a Christmas Special before joining the main series in the future (following Simon Webbe, Helen Skelton and Matt Goss whose first appearances were in a Christmas Special).   At the time of writing there’s been no official response from Nicola:

• Strictly Come Dancing fans make same demand after watching Nicola Roberts in Christmas special
• BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans make same demand after watching Nicola Roberts in Christmas special

Friendships, feuds and romance

Nadiya and Kai

After going public with their romance, Nadiya and Kai have shared heart-warming stories of how they got together, how Kai has built a relationship with Nadiya’s daughter and the potential of a future wedding:

• Kai Widdrington hints at marriage plans
• BBC Strictly couple hint at engagement plans as they share how they kept romance secret
• Strictly’s Nadiya Bychkova emotional as she reveals how Kai ‘proved himself’ to daughter
• BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Kai Widdrington shares how he asked Nadiya Bychkova out

Giovanni &  Jowita

Whilst we’ve heard nothing official from either pro, rumours grow that a romance has blossomed between Gio and Jowita:

• Strictly’s Giovanni and Jowita seen leaving flat minutes apart fuelling romance rumours
• Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice and Jowita Pryzstal are ‘secretly dating’
• Strictly’s Giovanni Pernice shops amid ‘romance’ with Jowita Przystal
• BBC Strictly Come Dancing pros Giovanni and Jowita ‘go public’ with romance

Giovanni, Jowita and Hamsa

And whilst – should it be true – we’re delighted for “Giowita” – we hope these stories of a heartbroken Hamza don’t ring true:

• Hamza Yassin ‘unfollows Giovanni Pernice’ after it’s rumoured dancer is dating Jowita Przystal
• Strictly Come Dancing’s Hamza Yassin ‘feuding’ with Giovanni Pernice over Jowita Przystal ‘romance’
• Has Strictly star Hamza Yassin fallen out with Giovanni Pernice? – Hello Magazine

Helen and Richie

Following Helen’s confidence boosting experience on Strictly, stories continue to focus on how she is positively moving on with her life without former husband Richie Myler:

• Helen Skelton uses The Royal Family’s unofficial motto as she puts Richie Myler split behind her
• Helen Skelton vows to ‘never complain’ in powerful New Year post after marriage split
• Helen Skelton says she’s ‘grateful’ as she reflects on daughter’s ‘chaotic’ birthday

Joe & Dianne splitting up?

After holidaying separately over the festive break, speculation grew that one of Strictly’s cutest couples were separating, however Dianne took to social media to quash such suggestions:

• BBC Strictly Come Dancing star Dianne Buswell addresses Joe Sugg split rumours – MSN
• Dianne Buswell shares heartwarming photo alongside Joe Sugg ahead of Aussie departure
• Dianne Buswell and Joe Sugg look so in love during special Christmas Day reunion

Ola and James

The PR machine has been really cranking up recently for former Strictly Pros Ola and James as they’ve been sharing insights to their happy and healthy lifestyle:

• Ola and James Jordan boogie along with their daughter Ella as they continue to flaunt weight loss
• James and Ola Jordan detail their weight loss after ‘wake up-call’ from THAT ‘unflattering’ snap
• Ola Jordan shows off her slimmer physique as she returns to the stage

Blogs and pods

We do love a good Strictly blog and podcast – here’s some of our faves we’ve been enjoying recently – do check them out:

Kate talks strictly

Super energy and a great communicator – do check out teenage Strictly super fan Kate:

• Kate talks Strictly

Dance Fevre

Hosts Teri Anne and Eddie Lee finish their season 2022 coverage by sharing their thoughts on the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special.

• Dance Fevre 391

Keep dancing podcast

Great fun and cheeky chat – we love this:

• KDP S7E12: RIP Countryfile

Come Strictly Dancing

Julia and Joel fix martinis and take you through the last night of dancing before it’s all packed away for another year. Interesting, funny, a bit sweary and brilliant!

• Come strictly dancing

Official BBC pods

And of course we have the official BBC pods – which always deliver:

• BBC Strictly Come Dancing podcast

Other Strictly stuff

Kym’s Strictly experience

A number of stories where Kym Marsh reflects on her Strictly journey:

• Kym Marsh: Strictly taught me a lot about myself
• Kym Marsh: There were times on Strictly when my anxiety threatened to take hold
• Strictly Come Dancing’s Kym Marsh shares rare family photos with dad amid his cancer battle – MSN

Stacey, Kevin and their baby

It seems Stacey and Kevin are due to have their baby imminently (if they haven’t already) – best wishes to them both:

• Pregnant Stacey Dooley enjoys relaxed evening as she shares update ahead of birth
• Stacey Dooley shares cryptic Instagram post as she prepares to give birth to first baby
• Stacey Dooley reveals relationship ‘drama’ with Kevin Clifton as they prepare to welcome baby
• Stacey Dooley reveals ‘chaotic’ moment she broke pregnancy news to Kevin

Gorka leaving the show?

This was a bit scary as the rumour network started to beat the drums of a Gorka departure – luckily this does not seem to be the case:

• Gorka Marquez begs fans ‘not to believe’ claims he’s quitting Strictly Come Dancing after six years
• Strictly Fave Gorka Márquez Finally Has His Say On Reports He’s Quitting The Show
• Gorka Marquez breaks silence on claims he’s quitting Strictly after seven years
• Gemma Atkinson Addresses Rumours About Gorka Marquez’s Strictly Come Dancing Future
• Gemma Atkinson shuts down claims Gorka Márquez is leaving Strictly Come Dancing after six years

That’s all (for now) folks…

We hope you enjoyed that folks – and that it went a little way to helping with plugging this mirrorball shaped hole we now find in our lives. As mentioned, if you have anything else to highlight or share please do so in the comments section below.

NB Photos used from source media articles – please contact us if that is not permissible within the context of this article and we will remove them.