Latest news with #LaVoix
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Trailblazing Down syndrome model Ellie Goldstein, Drag Race star La Voix and rugby player Chris Robshaw are announced as the latest contestants for Strictly Come Dancing
Trailblazing model and influencer Ellie Goldstein, Drag Race star La Voix and rugby player Chris Robshaw have been confirmed as the seventh, eighth and ninth contestants for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. The three celebrities confirmed their participation in an announcement shared on Wednesday's edition of The Scott Mills Breakfast Show on BBC Radio 2. Ellie is a model, actress and influencer who became the first model with Down syndrome to grace the cover of British Vogue. Additionally she has featured in campaigns for Gucci, Adidas and Victoria's Secret, while maintaining an ambassadorship for the learning disability charity Mencap. She said: 'I'm absolutely over the moon to be joining the cast and pros of Strictly Come Dancing this year. 'It's a show I've loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream. 'I know it's going to be challenging, but I'm ready to do it with the glitter and glamour and make some magic on that dancefloor. Let the Strictly journey begin!' When Ellie was born, doctors said that she would 'never walk or talk', and one nurse devastatingly suggested that her parents Yvonne and Mark might want to 'leave her' at the hospital. But she has defied all expectations since her birth in December 2001, making history as the first model with Down's syndrome to feature in major international campaigns. Her mother Yvonne previously told how Ellie wanted to be famous from the age of two and her 'outgoing' and 'bubbly' personality has helped her achieve all her dreams. Ellie has been flown to Sweden, Italy and Germany for photoshoots, and strutted her stuff on the catwalk at London Fashion Week. Ellie was also the first model with Down's syndrome to ever appear in a campaign for Gucci and has become a very sought-after name in the fashion industry. She graced the cover of Glamour UK at the age of 18 in an edition which honoured the new faces shaking up fashion and proving it can be inclusive. Ellie was also involved in helping Mattel to launch its first ever Barbie with Down syndrome and helped to promote the doll after its release. The model and influencer posed for photographers outside BBC studios on Wednesday Joining Ellie on the Strictly line-up, La Voix said in a statement: 'I've performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV. 'Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.' Chris admitted he was stepping well out of his "comfort zone" by signing up for the show. He commented: 'This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I'm hoping to take my dad dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can't wait to drag me along to her Zumba class. 'Let's see if a rugby sidestep works in the Cha Cha Cha.' The announcement comes after George Clarke was named as the sixth celebrity contestant to take part in the show. The YouTuber and podcaster will enter the famous ballroom when Strictly returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer this September. George Clarke, also known as George Clarkey, is a British YouTuber, podcaster and social media star known to millions online. Born and raised in the UK, George began experimenting with video content as a teenager, quickly discovering the power of humour and honesty to connect with people around the world. Since then he has built a thriving digital career with millions of followers across YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, drawn to his authenticity and sharp comedic voice. He also co-hosts The Useless Hotline Podcast, which has proven so popular it has led to a series of live shows across the UK. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, George said: 'Never thought I'd say this… but I'm doing Strictly! Honestly, I've got no idea what I'm doing but I'm excited to get stuck in … and potentially fall over a fair bit.' The news was revealed on BBC Radio 1's Going Home Drivetime Show this afternoon. George has built up a huge following on TikTok with an impressive 152million fans and has 679 thousand on Instagram. He is also often seen teaming up with TikToker Max Balegde as the pair host their podcast together. Hours before, EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal was announced as the fifth contestant to join Strictly 2025 line-up. The actress, 46, who plays Suki Panesar on the BBC soap, was revealed as a cast member live on Good Morning Britain on Tuesday morning. Balvinder will join a Love Island winner, Doctor Who star and a footballing legend, all of whom were recently revealed as the latest three stars confirmed to take part in Strictly. Sharing her joy at being part of the show, Balvinder said: 'Being on Strictly is a dream that I held on to, with no proof that it would ever happen. 'Working on EastEnders and being a part of Strictly Come Dancing is the stuff that dreams are made of. I'm far too excited to put into words how I feel but I'm incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.' Meanwhile the actress, who was speaking to GMB's Richard Arnold from the EastEnders set, told how she had 'dabbled' in dancing in the past but is unsure is she'd actually be 'any good' once on the dancefloor. She explained: 'I can't stop butterflies. Every time I think about it, they just go, so, yeah. 'I dabbled a little bit. I did ballroom and Latin as a kind of hobby, and I really love it. And I think when you've got a passion for something, you're naturally kind of inclined to enjoy it. 'So I'll definitely enjoy it. I don't know if I'll be any good!' Balvinder, who has had a successful acting career spanning theatre, radio, film and television, first joined EastEnders back in 2019. During her six years in Walford, she has been part of a number of gripping storylines including Suki's affair with now-wife Eve Unwin, being part of 'The Six' and her turbulent relationship with villainous husband Nish. Prior to stepping foot on Albert Square, Balvinder made appearances in several huge dramas including Call The Midwife, Doctors and Waterloo Road. Meanwhile, former Love Island winner Dani Dyer, 29, actress Alex Kingston, 62, and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, will also take to the dance floor this year, The One Show announced on Monday night. They follow Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, who was the first star announced. The daughter of acting legend Danny Dyer, who wed husband Jarrod Bowen this year, shot to fame in 2018 on the ITV2 dating show when she bagged the £50,000 prize with Jack Fincham. Dani said: 'Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I've done this year! 'I feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.' Doctor Who's Alex notably appeared in US drama ER from 1997 to 2005 alongside George Clooney. She also took on a recurring role in Doctor Who, playing River Song - the love interest of Matt Smith's incarnation of the Doctor and the daughter of Amy (Karen Gillan) and Rory (Arthur Darvill). Alex briefly reprised her role during Peter Capaldi's stint on the BBC sci-fi show and has also leant her voice to a number of audio releases in the franchise. Alex has previously spoken about her desire to sign up for Strictly, revealing she and her close friend Sarah Hadland - who competed last year - had discussed it. 'Sarah Hadland and I talked about how much we'd like to do Strictly Come Dancing,' she said in 2019. 'Then I discovered she's a trained ballet dancer. "Hang on a minute! That's not fair!" So, I can't do it on a season when she is on it!' Speaking to hosts Roman Kemp and Alex Scott about her upcoming stint, the actress teased: 'My hips don't lie.' Meanwhile, former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex England coach said he's looking forward to the challenge. He said: 'Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I've done before but I'm looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! 'Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.' The father-of-four was a professional player with Leeds and Middlebrough for two decades before he retied in 2008. Aikines-Aryeetey, known for his alter-ego Nitro, was the first celebrity revealed to taking part in the new series, after competing on the Christmas Special last year. His involvement was revealed in a prank to CBBC Newsround viewers, after the BBC had previously said the first stars taking part would be revealed much later in the day. Flexing his reputation as a star of Gladiators: Epic Pranks, Aikines-Aryeetey, 36, appeared live in the Newsround studio disguised as 'world-famous choreographer Nicky Trott', there to talk about his recent work on a scientific study into the benefits of dancing. His disguise was not enough to fool Newsround presenter Jenny Lawrence though, who quickly rumbled who she was really talking to. Aikines-Aryeetey then gave the real reason he was there: to tell the world he's taking part in the new series of Strictly Come Dancing! Aikines-Aryeetey is an Olympian, multi-gold-medal-winning Team GB sprinter, and star of Gladiators. As a sprinter he has competed at the highest level in the UK since his youth, becoming the first athlete to win gold medals at both 100 and 200 metres at the World Youth Championships, and winning the 2005 BBC Young Sports Personality of the Year award aged 17. Aikines-Aryeetey has gone on to win gold in the 4x100m relay at the European Championships and at the Commonwealth Games. He has competed in two Olympic games and is a three-time European Champion and two-time Commonwealth Champion. In 2023, Aikines-Aryeetey was unveiled as Nitro in the hit BBC series Gladiators, and he took part in last year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Special partnered with Nancy Xu. On joining Strictly Come Dancing, Aikines-Aryeetey said: 'After the Christmas Special, it was so nice I just had to do it twice! I'm so excited to be part of the Strictly family this series and I'm ready to give it all I've got. 'I'll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let's hope I'm as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.' On Sunday it was reported that Natalie Imbruglia and Delta Goodrem are 'in negotiations' to take part in the show. A new report suggested the two Australian stars are both in talks to appear while another former Neighbours star - Stefan Dennis - is also said to be in the running. A source told The Sun: 'Talks are at a point where things could go in a number of different directions but if both celebrities signed up then that would be seen as quite a coup for the show. 'Delta and Natalie would bring some glamour to the programme, and be some of this year's most eagerly anticipated competitors. 'If all three former Neighbours stars end up performing, the Strictly dance floor will end up looking more like Ramsay Street.' Strictly's new series has been hit by a string of scandals in the lead-up to its return, including revelations that the broadcaster had hired a law firm to probe allegations of drug taking by two individuals. One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelt alcohol on their breath. The Sun alleged that it was widely known that the pair, who have not been named, took the Class A substance, and that one of these Strictly performers was known for being a drinker. The publication have now reported that junior members of the team were asked to keep an eye on them during last year's show and to look for signs that they may have been boozing during work hours. Over the weekend, a staffer also claimed they were offered cocaine by one of the show's stars. He told The Sun: 'The main partying is on site at Elstree after filming of the live show has finished. Boozing and drug taking goes on until 3am, sometimes 4am. The smoking area outside is a hive of activity. Cocaine gets taken there'. He went on to claim that drug use was so common on the show, that when he found a suspicious bag of white powder, an unfazed senior producer told him to 'leave it on my desk' as the incident failed to raise even an eyebrow. The staff member also said the show's annual special filmed at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom was an especially 'big party night' full of debauchery. 'I was offered cocaine by a star at an after show party. Lots of people would go back to the hotel. It was a closed-off party, just for the cast and crew. It went on until 5am, even to 6am, it was insane. People were wired and you could see it in their eyes'. A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.' The shock allegations come amid a long period of controversy for the BBC and Strictly over the past year or so. In July last year, more than six months after quitting the show citing 'personal reasons', actress Amanda Abbington accused pro dancer Giovanni Pernice of 'unnecessary, cruel and mean behaviour' during their time dancing together on Strictly. Giovanni rejected the claims immediately, and a BBC investigation ruled in September that her claims of physical aggression and threatening behaviour were not upheld. When BBC bosses published their report into Giovanni's behaviour, it cleared him of the most serious allegations of physical aggression, but upheld verbal bullying and harassment. Complaints of verbal bullying and harassment meant the BBC issued an apology to Amanda, but Giovanni said he was 'pleased the report has not found any evidence of threatening or abusive behaviour '. Elsewhere, the show was plunged into crisis after Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans made a controversial joke during his time preparing for the Strictly tour in January. He used a vile sexual innuendo and was also caught up in a 'wandering hand' incident with dance partner Katya Jones , who seemed to remove his arm from her lower waist on the show. After the BBC launched an investigation into his conduct, bosses decided not to renew his radio contract for his show. The TV star confirmed in May that they will not be renewing his one-year rolling contract following a four-month investigation after the inappropriate comments made during his time on Strictly. Elsewhere, in further scandals for the BBC, Gregg Wallace was recently dismissed from MasterChef after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld following a BBC investigation. While his co-star John Torode was also sacked after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. In separate further controversy, it's recently been reported that Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The BBC Breakfast host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reports. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show.
Daily Mirror
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly star La Voix commits to huge live show during BBC competition
The strictly singer is juggling a huge show of her own, alongside their appearance on this year's Strictly Come Dancing -taking her up and down the country this Autumn La Voix is just one of the fifteen celebrity contestants expected to star in this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing, and yet it turns out they may have made prior commitments. The British drag performer and singer, known for competing on both Britain's Got Talent and RuPaul's Drag Race UK, has signed herself up for yet another challenge in 2025. Although, as the news just dropped, it appears there may be a slight clash in the queen's schedule. Fans can get a hold of tickets to see La Voix in her huge UK tour, The Show Isn't Over, this November. It aims to be an entertaining evening jam-packed with laughs, performances and a live band, as she takes the stage up and down the country, with tickets starting from £32.25. It comes after a Strictly Come Dancing star pulls out of show as he makes career announcement. The event's description states: "Join us for a spectacular evening filled with electrifying all-live singing and band performances and a hilarious comedy show that will leave you in awe. La Voix's powerhouse vocals combined with side-splitting comedy guarantee an experience like no other. "Get ready to be swept off your feet by the charm, talent, and humour of this incredible show! Don't miss out on the opportunity to witness the best show in town! Get ready to laugh, sing, and dance the night away with La Voix!" It can't help but raise a few red flags, as fans of the dance competition will know; if you continue throughout the show, the final can take you right up until mid-December. The dates set out for the tour run from September 17 right through until November 5. Having come from a performing background, there's no reason to say that La Voix won't be thriving in the competition and, as those dates roll around, find it hard to commit to both performances. The shows expect to see her take on shows in Manchester, Glasgow, London, Brighton, Portsmouth and more. Meanwhile, fellow celebs showed their support for the drag performer's Strictly debut, along with excitable fans who can't wait to see her grace their screens once again. Oti Mabuse wrote: "ABOUT TIME!!!" You've been dreaming about this for years – I hope it's everything and more you've been waiting for." A thrilled fan also commented: "Is La Voix the first drag queen artist, or am I forgetting someone? This feels like a first. Imagine the glam and glitter." While La Voix is no stranger to a stage, she has opened up about her nerves for taking part in the 2025 competition. She shared: "I've performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV. "Strictly is a national institution, and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse." But it appears that she already has her hopes set on being partnered with a specific dancer. Speaking to the Daily Star, she said: "I think I'm gonna do well on the entertainment factor. If you're asking me if my posture, alignment and arm lines are gonna be right, don't hold your breath. "But I'm gonna try my real hardest to nail it and do the ballroom fans proud." Speaking about which dancer she wants to be partnered with, she added: "I like the one with the big arms and the snake hips... that's all of them. I'm casting my net wide. Someone who can lift me up and show me off, that's what I want. "I like Kai. Secret inside knowledge, when I did my little dance trial for the show, I had Kai for my audition, so maybe that would be nice. He's a great guy, an amazing teacher."
Metro
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
Strictly's La Voix is already getting hate – and the reason is depressing
Finally, Strictly Come Dancing has its first drag queen contestant in a regular season – La Voix. Real name Chris Dennis, the 45-year-old Drag Race star is reality TV royalty and the perfect choice to throw the first heel and wig through the glass ceiling of Strictly. She competed on RuPaul's Drag Race UK just last year, but has long been an icon in the community — easily one of the most well-known queens in the country. Unfortunately, the predictable hate she's received just for being her loud and proud self is a sign of the awful times we live in now. I truly hope it doesn't get to her, and that she can make history on the BBC's flagship entertainment show. I was familiar with La Voix before Drag Race. She'd competed on Britain's Got Talent in 2014, reaching the semi-finals with the London Gay Band — long before drag was as popular in the UK as it is now. Wake up to find news on your TV shows in your inbox every morning with Metro's TV Newsletter. Sign up to our newsletter and then select your show in the link we'll send you so we can get TV news tailored to you. Even without the platform that is Drag Race, she still managed to land big TV gigs on WOW's Queen of the Universe and ITV's Queens For The Night. But I didn't truly know her until Drag Race. I knew the name, but I didn't know the full extent of the talent. To say she was robbed of winning her series feels unfair – given the innovation and brilliant mind of champion Kyran Thrax — but La Voix was one of the best queens Drag Race has ever seen, on either side of the Atlantic. She's going to bowl Strictly fans over, if not with her moves, then with her soft heart and. La Voix is a triple-threat performer — dancer, singer, and actor — and has the sharpest humour of anyone who's taken to the BBC ballroom. But the importance of her appearance on Strictly Come Dancing can't be underestimated, even if it feels long overdue. In 2019, Courtney Act made history as the first ever drag queen on Australia's version of Strictly, called Dancing with the Stars. Unsurprisingly to anyone who watched her on Drag Race, she was sensational and an enormous hit with viewers, finishing in second place with her partner Joshua Keefe. It wasn't until a year later that Strictly welcomed its first same-sex couple, Nicola Adams and Katya Jones, then John Whaite and Johannes Radebe the year after that. Then on Christmas Day last year, Drag Race's Tayce competed in the show's annual one-off special. Not only was she absolutely sensational — she won. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It was a pivotal moment for drag, but part of me felt disappointed that it was happening in the special and not the main event. The latter is watched by so many more viewers and their names become fixed in people's homes for months. If there hadn't been a drag queen in this series, it would have felt like a kick in the teeth. It's a shame Tayce wasn't invited back — not only for the viewers' benefit, but because she clearly deserved it too. But thank god for La Voix, who will be the perfect representative of the drag community — a queen who was destined for Saturday night telly. And it's needed now more than ever. The drag community has been under attack for years. As soon as the culture started to become mainstream – through drag brunches and drag queen story time – it was deemed a threat to society. It's a heartbreaking battle and it's nowhere near over. Earlier this month, two drag queens were escorted out of a library by police because the overbearing chants of protesters won. Lady Portia Di'Monte — known as 'Northern Ireland's First Lady of Drag' — and Miss Dora Belle were booked by the library to read to children. Many parents would have taken their children specifically for drag story time, and I have no doubt their kids loved every second of it. But no matter how harmless — even beautiful — drag proves itself to be, its protesters seem to win more and more. Northern Ireland's Communities Minister, Gordon Lyons, later said the event was 'not appropriate for children' and 'should not have taken place'. The queens were reading The Chronicles of Narnia and Dear Zoo, yet they were treated as though they were performing explicit excerpts from gay erotica. To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video Naturally, then, it was no surprise to see the reaction to La Voix being announced as the seventh star signing up for Strictly 2025. I don't think any of the comments on the BBC's announcement are worth repeating — we've heard them time and time again — but they were devastatingly predictable. I'm thrilled the BBC is making a statement with this line-up — that it won't bow down to the loud minority who complain week after week, pitchforks sharpened, that La Voix has no right to be on its biggest show. A show that is camp as Christmas and celebrates diversity more than any other. But I hate that it's still a statement at all. I'm so tired of the LGBTQ+ community — particularly the drag and trans community — being a statement simply by existing. More Trending I hate that the response to La Voix taking part in a dance contest was so predictable. Thank god she has the resilience of a warrior. Perhaps if Strictly Come Dancing had welcomed a drag queen to the stage sooner, there would be many viewers who haven't experienced the joy of drag that might have been won over by now. Six years behind its Australian counterpart feels like a long time, but at least it is time. This is a landmark moment for the LGBTQ+ community and if there is a drag queen out there who can take the crown, it's La Voix. View More » Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One later this year. Do you have a story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing Share your views in the comments below. MORE: I had to give up sport – it'll be different for my daughters MORE: Strictly star Nadiya Bychkova shares major health update after 'scary' fall MORE: The Apprentice's Narinder Kaur criticises BBC's decision to cast Thomas Skinner on Strictly
UPI
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- UPI
La Voix, Stefan Dennis among 'Strictly Come Dancing' Season 23 cast
"Neighbours" actor Stefan Dennis will star in the upcoming season of "Strictly Come Dancing." Photo courtesy of BBC Aug. 14 (UPI) -- BBC has announced its roster of celebrities joining the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing, which lands on iPlayer and BBC One in the fall. Season 23 contestants competing for the Strictly 2025 Glitterball include RuPaul's Drag Race UK queen La Voix and Neighbours star Stefan Dennis. "I've performed for royalty, RuPaul and Simon Cowell, but nothing fills me with more excitement (and quite a bit of terror) than the thought of dancing in front of millions on live Saturday night TV," La Voix said in a statement. "Strictly is a national institution and I can't wait to get started. All that's left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here's hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse." Dennis, who starred in some 6,000-plus episodes of the Australian drama series Neighbours as Paul Robinson, echoed the sentiment that the upcoming show would challenge him in a new way. "This is an opportunity for me to once again learn to step out of my comfort zone in the world of television," he said in his statement. "Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky." The slate of stars hitting the ballroom also includes Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, aka Nitro, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, Balvinder Sopal, George Clarke, Chris Robshaw, Ellie Goldstein, Thomas Skinner and Vicky Pattison.
Daily Mirror
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Strictly Come Dancing stars spotted at rehearsals as identities finally revealed
The cast of Strictly Come Dancing are already getting their rehearsals in. Over the past few days, the famous faces taking part in the BBC One dancing competition have finally been confirmed by the network. This year, the likes of reality stars Vicky Pattison, Thomas Skinner and Ru Paul's Drag Race UK star La Voix have all been announced, alongside trailblazing model, Ellie Goldstein. But just days after they were revealed, it seems they're wasting no time in getting their practice in, ahead of the show launching in just a matter of weeks. Football star Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, model Ellie and drag star La Voix have all been seen entering a studio in London, getting their moves up to scratch as they wait to find out which professional dancer they will be partnered with. However, this year, it's been announced that Gorka Marquez won't be dancing with a celebrity but will still be taking part in group numbers, due to previous commitments on another dancing programme. It comes after Strictly's Anton Du Beke shared heartbreak over wife's 'cruel and inexplicable' diagnosis. Kathy Griffin looks completely unrecognisable as she reveals latest facelift Strictly Come Dancing announces Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis legend as 12th star The new series is set to air in just a matter of weeks, with the latest batch of famous faces hoping to take home the iconic Glitterball Trophy, which last year was won by Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell. Weeks before the show is due to start, there has already been much controversy surrounding Strictly – as an ex-employee of the BBC has alleged that he was offered cocaine by a Strictly Come Dancing star. The unnamed man, who worked behind the scenes on the broadcaster's dancing competition for a decade, has claimed that he saw a number of its celebrity contestants 'partying' after filming was over and alleged that he saw stars 'drinking and taking drugs' at the time. Amidst the controversy and the buzz for the next series, this year's celebrities have been snapped for the first time arriving for rehearsals as fans await the final few names...
