Strictly Come Dancing 2023 line-up confirmed as first celebrities announced

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Strictly Come Dancing has announced the first three stars part of the 2023 line-up set to swap their trainers for a pair of dancing shoes this winter.

The One Show hosts Alex Jones and Roman Kemp were responsible for delivering the bombshell news on Friday's show (August 4), ahead of the countdown to the series launch.

Alex, 44, revealed the first contestant was award-winning Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, saying: "I don't think people would have seen this coming at all. It's brilliant".

READ MORE: Strictly's Tess Daly, 54, puts on leggy display in black swimsuit for sizzling beach snap

The TV star – who was previously married to her Sherlock co-star Martin Freeman until 2016 – first found fame in a series of shows including The Bill and Casualty.

The actress confessed she hasn't exactly kept quiet about her upcoming role, telling the presenters: "I've told everybody. I even told the ladies in my local pharmacy!"

The next star announced in the line-up was broadcaster Angela Rippon, who is now the oldest contestant to take to the dancefloor at 78.

Fans of the long-running show will remember the TV presenter originally hosted Come Dancing between 1988 and 1991 before she returned in 1998 when the show ended.

The star told the presenters she doesn't think she win the show due to the stiff competition, but explained: "It will be wonderful if I can last a few weeks and demonstrate that even at my age, it is possible for people who are older to be able to dance".

She added in a previous interview: "“Having been a fan of Strictly since day one, and as a former presenter of Come Dancing, this will be quite an adventure for me. A scary one, considering I’m about to be 79. But I’m really looking forward to the challenge".

The final celebrity revealed was Bad Education star Layton Williams who shot to fame on the BBC sitcom in 2012.

The 28-year-old has plenty of dancing experience behind him, with his first job as a professional performer being title role of Billy Elliot the Musical on London’s West End.

Layton, who was live from the set of Bad Education with former Strictly star Richie Anderson, explained he hopes his experience in the West End will translate to the Strictly ballroom.

When asked about his professional partner on the show, the actor said: "I'm happy so long as it's a guy. I've said I want to dance with a man".

Layton also said in a previous interview: "It's time to bring it to the Ballroom. So excited to learn new skills from the best. Bring on the sequins… ALL the sequins!"

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Strictly Come Dancing
The One Show
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