Strictly’s best dancing stars from Ireland and NI

Strictly Come Dancing is set to return for its 21st series on September 16, on BBC One at 18:35, and the series hopefuls will be feeling the pressure going into the iconic dance competition.

Irish presenter Angela Scanlon is preparing to take to the ballroom this season, and the 39-year-old star from Meath has been sharing snippets of her prep on Instagram, seemingly embracing the sparkle and big hair that Strictly is well known for.

But which other Irish and Northern Irish stars have trodden the Strictly boards before her?

Christine Lampard

She took part in the show in 2008, when she had been hosting The One Show with Adrian Chiles. She was partnered with Matthew Cutler on the show, who won in 2007 with Alesha Dixon.

The Lorraine regular, now 44, from County Down, left the show in week 11, following a disappointing salsa that landed her in the dance-off with singer Rachel Stevens. She finished in fifth place.

Now featuring on Lorraine and Loose Women, the star has become a staple of daytime TV.

Westlife legend Nicky Byrne, now 44, competed in the 10th season of the show with pro-dancer Karen Hauer. The pair were booted from the show in week 10 with judge Bruno Tonioli commending them for “a heroic effort”. Up against Denise Van Outen, the pair did not make it through the dance-off.

Following his exit from the show, Byrne continues to perform with Westlife, who are in the midst of a huge sell-out tour, and are heading out on their first North American tour in March next year.

Gloria Hunniford

The Northern Irish star, who has also appeared on The Masked Singer, began her career as a singer, before taking on a variety of presenting roles including Food: Truth or Scare and an 11-year stint on her afternoon Radio 2 show.

Hunniford has most recently worked on on Rip Off Britain, with 2023 Strictly hopeful Angela Rippon.

Daniel O’Donnell

He and his partner, Russian dancer Kristina Rihanoff, left the show in week four, getting only 23 points out of a possible 40. The series was won by Jay McGuiness of boyband The Wanted.

Memorably, O’Donnell and Rihanoff waltzed to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling by Bing Crosby on Strictly, on an emerald-lit stage.

The singer-turned-philanthropist, 61, has fundraised extensively for cancer charities, as his wife Majella has faced breast cancer herself, and is touring the UK this October.

Laura Whitmore

In the series, won by actor and presenter Ore Oduba, Whitmore left in week seven. Married to the voice of Love Island Iain Stirling, the DJ and presenter was commended for a memorable tango, scoring 36 out of 40, to Paint It Black by The Rolling Stones.

Since taking to the stage in the dance competition, Whitmore has performed on the West End in play 2:22 A Ghost Story and has recently worked on docu-series Laura Whitmore Investigates on ITVX.