Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left saying the same thing after the BBC show revealed their first contestant, Lacey Turner, who will join this year’s line-up
More announcements from Strictly Come Dancing are expected in the coming weeks(Image: BBC/Ray Burmiston)
Strictly Come Dancing has baffled fans by already announcing one of this year’s stars. Earlier today, it was revealed that EastEnders‘ favourite Lacey Turner would be joining the show.
Lacey, 38, is the first contestant to be announced for the upcoming series, which is set to undergo a complete transformation when the show returns later this year. However, the announcement is extremely early compared to previous years. Last year’s first name didn’t come out until mid-August.
While the show returns in September, the names of the celebrities are typically announced throughout the summer. It’s expected that the rest of the line-up, which is rumoured to include Delta Goodrem, Jeff Brazier, Dani Dyer and Josie Gibson, will be announced in the coming weeks.
The names are often revealed on BBC morning and evening shows, including BBC Breakfast and The One Show. The launch show, which is pre-recorded, will see the contestants paired with their professional partners.
But following the announcement, fans were left baffled, claiming it was too early for names to be revealed. One said on Instagram: “Is it that time of year already!? Better start putting Mariah on a slow defrost!”
“Gosh you know the year has gone by so fast if they are already revealing the celebs,” said a second. Meanwhile, a third went on to write: “Girlies we’re doing this a bit early aren’t we I can’t cope.” “It’s June, calm down,” exclaimed another. A fifth typed: “Earliest celeb announcements ever!”
But there was also excitement for Lacey, with her EastEnders co-star, Alice Haig, penning: “This is so exciting!” Balvinder Sopal, who competed last year, exclaimed: “Yes, yes, yessss! Come on Lace. What a ride you are going to have.”
Strictly professional Lauren Oakley added: “Yessss @laceyturner.” Head judge Shirley Ballas typed: “Welcome,” alongside three red heart emojis. Dianne Buswell penned: “Christmas has come early! Welcome, Lacey.” Amy Dowden added: “Yas @laceyturner! Welcome lovely.”
Speaking about taking part, the actress who is best known for playing Stacey Slater on the BBC One soap opera said: “I am so excited to being making my way to the dance floor this year to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing! I am a huge fan and can’t quite believe I will be taking part and not watching at home this year! I look forward to meeting everyone and learning a new skill!”
Amid the shake-up, sources claim that the show will have a fresh new look upon its return. The dance floor is likely to undergo a makeover, with bosses currently deciding whether to change the iconic backdrop, which has become extremely familiar to viewers. The current studio, the George Lucas studio at Elstree, is made up of bright coloured panels, lights and some screens.
But sources claim this could switch to larger screens that display visuals during routines. “It was natural that bosses look at giving the show a whole new look as it enters a new era, but they aren’t ditching the traditional presentation of the show, just the way it is delivered,” a source previously told The Sun.
The source went on to add: “It’s going to get a more sleek, impressive set, but it will still be all about fun, glitz and sparkles. They aren’t trying to turn it into the set of Star Wars.
“But it would have been strange not to have made some change to the look of the show, given that the programme is starting a new chapter with so many other new elements.”
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