Presenters and judges
Presenters
Judges
Sir Bruce Forsyth
The legend that is Sir Bruce Forsyth is back to present the ninth series of Strictly Come Dancing.
Bruce has been the co-presenter of Strictly since its launch on BBC One in 2004. He is a much-loved British showman, comedian and entertainer who became a household name in the UK through shows such as Sunday Night at the London Palladium, The Generation Game and The Price Is Right.
Bruce was born in Edmonton, North London and as a child was inspired to learn dance by watching Fred Astaire in films. Bruce first appeared on television in 1939 as a child, singing and dancing on a talent show and continued to perform throughout and after the Second World War in pantomimes and circuses, where he became renowned for his strong-man act. He rose to stardom in September 1958 as the compère of Sunday Night at the London Palladium and has danced with an array of iconic figures such as Julie Andrews and Sammy Davis Jr.
After the success of the Palladium, Bruce's next venture was as a gameshow host on The Generation Game followed by amongst others, Play Your Cards Right, You Bet, and The Price Is Right.
Bruce's showbiz awards include a Royal Television Society Lifetime Achievement Award, a CBE and an OBE for his services to entertainment. In June 2011 Bruce was knighted in the Queen’s Birthday Honours. Bruce's catchphrases are legendary and popular favourites include "Nice to see you, to see you, nice!", "Didn't they do well?" and "You're my favourites!"
Bruce has five daughters and one son. He is married to former Miss World, Wilnelia Merced. Apart from dancing, Bruce's passion is playing golf.
Tess Daly
Tess Daly has co-presented Strictly Come Dancing since the show started back in 2004. Dubbed 'Miss Sunshine' by Bruce, she brings extra elegance and a touch of warmth to the show.
Tess was brought up in Derbyshire by a hard working family who encouraged her to learn ballroom dancing as a child. Her career started with modeling and appearing in music videos after being approached by a talent scout in Manchester. She has worked in Paris, New York and Japan, and graced many magazine covers but her life changed in 1999 when she was given her big break as presenter of The Big Breakfast's 'Find Me A Model' competition.
Tess went on to present shows such as Children in Need, The Royal Variety Performance, Just The Two Of Us (with husband Vernon Kay), SM:tv (interviewing guests such as Hugh Grant) and The National Lottery: This Time Tomorrow. In 2008 Tess won a special version of Strictly Come Dancing against Terry Wogan, where she was partnered with a delighted Anton du Beke.
Tess is very involved in a number of charities, her work including Help For Heroes and being a patron, along with husband Vernon, for Great Ormond Street Hospital.
Tess is married to Vernon Kay and they have two daughters, Phoebe and Amber.
Zoe Ball
Popular radio and television presenter Zoe Ball returns to the Strictly Come Dancing team, picking up the reigns from Claudia to present Strictly's BBC Two weekday sister show, It Takes Two.
After presenting the much loved children's show Live & Kicking, Zoe became the first woman to solely front Radio 1's Breakfast Show and has since hosted a number of shows, including the BRIT Awards, The Priory, Strictly Dance Fever and Sky Art's Summer Festivals.
Zoe is also an established radio presenter and currently hosts the Radio 2 Weekend Breakfast show on Saturday mornings.
A former Strictly contestant, Zoe has first hand experience of the show and has also presented the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour. With all her dancing knowledge and presenting talent, the audience is in safe hands!
Zoe's Wikipedia entry
Zoe's Twitter account
Claudia Winkleman
The former It Takes Two presenter co-hosts the Sunday night results show with Tess Daly.
Claudia has presented a range of BBC TV shows, including: Let’s Dance for Sport Relief, The Eurovision Song Contest and Comic Relief. She currently presents Film 2011, and Claudia Winkleman’s Arts Show for Radio 2.
Claudia grew up in London and is the half-sister of actress Sophie Winkleman. She attended Cambridge University and graduated with an MA Honours in History of Art.
The TV presenter hosted It Takes Two since it started back in 2004; during that time she interviewed a host of celebrity Strictly fans and personalities, including: Barbara Windsor, Rod Stewart and Miranda Hart.
Strictly has now become a big part of Claudia's family routine, "this is what we do from September to Christmas. We become obsessed by the Foxtrot".
Claudia's Wikipedia entry
Claudia's Twitter account
Bruno Tonioli
Bruno Tonioli is without a doubt Strictly's most flamboyant judge, living and breathing dance. He was a dancer himself and is now a highly respected choreographer, so when it comes to our celebrities he knows what a great performance should look like.
Bruno has worked with some of the biggest and best names in the industry such as Elton John, Michael Jackson, Freddie Mercury, Tina Turner and Paul McCartney. He now splits his time between London and Los Angeles to record both Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars.
Bruno grew up in Ferrara, a small Catholic town in north eastern Italy. When the musical Cabaret came out in 1972, Bruno saw it eight times in a row! It was then when he realised what he wanted to do. However, his parents had other ideas and wanted him to work in a bank but despite their wishes Bruno went to Rome and started ballet lessons.
Bruno left Italy at the age of 18 and after two years with the Paris-based dance company La Grande Eugene, Bruno performed in London and decided to make the city his home.
He worked as a freelance dancer and even appeared in Elton John's music video for I'm Still Standing. Bruno eventually made the move over from dance to choreography when he went to work on legendary TV show Not The Nine O'Clock News.
Len Goodman
Head judge Len knows what he's talking about when it comes to dance. He was at the top of his game as a professional dancer and is now a professional judge both on and off screen.
Recently awarded a Life Achievement Award for his work in dancing, Len splits his time between London and Los Angeles, judging on both Strictly Come Dancing and Dancing With The Stars.
Born in Bethnal Green, Len spent his youth as a welder in the London Docks and then pursued his passion for football before injury ended his career.
Len then took up ballroom dancing and specialised in a form of dancing called Exhibition, which is all about the lifts. He quickly became a British champion, winning the title four times.
On Strictly Len is more concerned with performance than technique and will be paying more attention to the celebrities than the professional dancers.
He will be looking out for good interaction between the couples. Len does not want to see any nerves surfacing on the night.
Len's Wikipedia entry
Len on Desert Island Discs
Alesha Dixon
Alesha Dixon is back again to keep the boys on their toes! Alesha is not only a much loved pop star, but she is also a former Strictly champion, so if anyone knows what those celebrities backstage are going through, she does!
Alesha first found fame with the band Misteeq, but after 6 years together the band broke up and Alesha went solo. In 2008 Alesha made a massive comeback after winning the fifth series of Strictly Come Dancing. Since then she has released her first solo album, The Alesha Show, and her second, The Entertainer, in 2010.
Alesha was born in Welwyn Garden City. She is one of seven children born to a British mother Beverly Harris and Jamaican father Melvin Dixon.
When she finished college Alesha wanted to become a PE teacher. She completed a diploma course and had planned to go to Loughborough University. However, after being spotted by a record producer she decided to put her degree on hold and pursue her singing career.
Alesha won series 5 of Strictly Come Dancing in 2007 with her professional dance partner Matthew Cutler. Alesha became a firm favourite with the viewers at home as she delivered jaw dropping Ballroom and Latin performances. Alesha is currently single and lives with her two dogs, a collie crossbreed called Roxy and a puppy called Daisy, both were adopted from an RSPCA animal centre.
Craig Revel Horwood
Craig Revel Horwood doesn't pull any punches when it comes to giving his opinion. He might be a hard man to please but you wouldn't expect any less from a top theatre choreographer.
Craig's work has taken him all over the world and along the way he has picked up a prestigious Olivier Award for his work on the West End musical Spend, Spend, Spend. Craig is constantly on the go choreographing and directing new stage projects as well as judging on the New Zealand version of Strictly Come Dancing.
Craig was born in a sleepy Australian town called Ballarat. When he was old enough he moved away from his hometown to the bright lights of Melbourne where his dance career began. He appeared in productions including West Side Story, La Cage Aux Folles, Me and My Girl and many more.
He eventually headed to Europe where he joined the Lido Du Paris as a dancer in Panache and then as principle singer in Formidable at the Moulin Rouge, finding himself a year later in the UK tour of Cats in Edinburgh and Dublin. Craig also appeared in the original concert version of Jesus Christ Superstar. In the West End, Craig has performed in Cats, playing the part of 'Munkustrap', Miss Saigon as Dance Captain and was an original cast member playing the part of Harry and Dance Captain of Crazy For You.
Craig has directed numerous stage shows including dance show, Flamenco Flamenka and he also worked on the revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber's musical Sunset Boulevard.
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