Strictly 2024 contestants were spotted in high spirits for their first day at rehearsal

Tasha Ghouri, Chris McCausland and their Strictly co-stars were snapped heading out to their first day at rehearsal after the upcoming series’ full line-up was revealed

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 is well underway as celebrity contestants were pictured arriving at their first day at rehearsal.

While BBC One viewers will have to wait before the show’s 20th anniversary series gets a launch date, the full line-up of this year’s competition has been revealed throughout the week, featuring reality TV stars in the likes of Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri and TOWIE star Pete Wicks.

Soap names and athletes were also thrown into the mix as Olympic gold swimmer and EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, who already won the Christmas edition of the show last year, have also signed for the show.

Chris McCausland arrived at his first day of rehearsal this Wednesday ( Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Dancer Katya Jones was also snapped outside the studios in London ( Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)
This Thursday, August 8, 2024, Sarah Hadland was announced in the line-up along with Coronation Street’s Shayne Ward during a special announcement made on ITV’s Lorraine.

But before the final announcements were made, this year’s fresh batch of Strictly contestants were photographed smiling from ear to ear outside the show’s London dance studios on Wednesday, August 7.

Blind comedian Chris McCausland, the first name to have been announced to appear on the 2024 series, was pictured alongside Shayne, who flashed a friendly peace sign to photographers holding a holdall bag. The actor cut a casual attire in a blue shirt and matching trousers, finishing off the look with a pair of Nike trainers.

Tasha Ghouri walked into rehearsal this Wednesday looking relaxed and ready to tackle the new challenge, despite criticism around her alleged dancing experience, as she sported a pair of black leggings, a matching T-shirt, white trainers and a brown leather jacket.

The former Love Island contestant, who is rumoured to have been in a relationship with former Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice, carried a black shoulder bag as she dragged a grey suitcase behind her.

Shayne Ward was announced in the Strictly line-up this Thursday on Lorraine ( Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)

Tasha Ghouri has recently been criticised for her stint in the show due to her dancing experience ( Image: CLICK NEWS AND MEDIA)Strictly’s upcoming season has been overshadowed by an ongoing crisis at the BBC following claims of alleged “abusive” behaviour targeting some of its dancers.

Giovanni Pernice had notably been pointed out by former dance partner Amanda Abbington behind the scenes after her stint on the hit dancing competition left her struggling with PTSD. Despite being in talks with bosses to star on the future 2024 series, it was announced earlier this year that Giovanni would not be appearing on the dancefloor.

He has vehemently denied the claims against him, while these led the Beeb to launch an internal probe and, in July 2024, Graziano Di Prima was the second dancer to be withdrawn from the competition for his behaviour with Zara McDermott backstage.

Zara, who starred in the show’s 2023 edition, then penned an emotional statement online, leaving Graziano to confirm he had kicked her once during a rehearsal.