The 10 (yes 10!) celebrity couples lining up for the 5th season of SABC2's
Strictly Come Dancing, which premieres on Thursday 2 October, have just been announced.
The celeb talent that will initiate 10 weeks of dancefloor drama includes an infamous comedian/actor, two well-known radio DJs, a racing car driver, an Afro-jazz pop-diva, ex-Miss South Africa, a popular soapie star, a showjumping champion/model, member/creator of a popular hip hop group and an ex-Gladiator.
There are also seven new professional dancers who have never appeared on the show before, while three old stalwarts -
Brandon Eilers,
Hayley Bennet and
Mary Martin - return for the fifth season.
Without further ado, these are the 10 celebrity couples for Strictly Come Dancing 5:
Co-presenter of the Grant & Anele show on 5FM,
Anele Mdoda will add a healthy dose of attitude to the floor with
Brandon Eilers.
The voice of Metro FM's Top 40 Chart Show,
Adil More, will be mixing smooth moves and smart dancefloor action with
Robynn Soules.
Ex-Miss South Africa, well-known model, entertainment personality and presenter of SABC2's Pasella –
Cindy Nell - is getting ready to glam it up and dance with
Jonathan Broadway.
Best known as Granite from the popular Gladiators TV series, TV/theatre/film actor, comedian and MC
Garth Collins is flexing his muscles to make some noise on the floor with
Hayley Bennett.
One of local TV's rising young stars,
Hlubi Mboya, will add a stylish dose of energy and drama to complement
Khutso Khunou's dance expertise.
Affectionately known as “the fastest brother in Africa”, local motor racing champion and TV presenter
Gugu Zulu will be revving up his moves with
Sarah Cooper.
Multiple SAMA-Award winning and respected local Afro-jazz pop artist
Judith Sephuma will be gracing the dancing spectacle with
Eksteen Traut.
Co-founder of iconic local hip hop brand Skwatta Kamp, and director of Buttabing Entertainment and Ventilation Production,
Lebo “Shugasmakx” Mothibe will be getting down and ruffling the floor with
Seipati Nthwesane.
Professional A-grade show jumper, model and TV presenter
Tessa van Duuren is getting ready to crack the whip and get the dancing started with
Grant Esterhuizen.
Rounding off the list of 10 dance floor enthusiasts is acclaimed dramatic actor and comedian
Rob van Vuuren, presenter of SABC2's Crazy Games and infamous for his role as Twakkie in The Most Amazing Show. Rob has
Mary Martin on his side for some serious dancefloor madness.
The 5th season of Strictly Come Dancing will air on SABC2 every Thursday (from 2 October) from 19h30 to 20h30, with an hour-long break to allow viewer voting. It resumes with the Results Show at 21h30.
The first part (19h30-20h30) is where the contestants show off their various dancing talents to gain votes from public and judges; the second part (21h30-22h00) is when the results are revealed and a couple is eliminated.
Preceding the season premiere is the Strictly Come Dancing Special, which airs on Thursday 25 September at 19h30. The special will chronicle the history of the show.
A format change for the 5th season entails 10 celebrities competing and dancing their way to super-stardom across 10 episodes (8 contestants competed across 8 episodes in previous seasons).
The winning celebrity/professional dancer couple, taking over from previous winners
Emmanuel Castis and
Lindsey Muckle, will be crowned on the show's season finale on 4 December.
The same judges will be returning to filter the wannabes from the real stars of the dancefloor. They are:
Lilian Phororo – she has over thirty years experience in dance and has become an internationally recognized adjudicator.
Dave Campbell – he began his career as a teenager and went on to become the four-time undefeated Latin and Ballroom professional champion.
Salome Sechele - Latin American champion, who has mastered a variety of dance styles. She represented South Africa with long-time partner Tyrone Watkins in Hong Kong, Miami, Switzerland, Netherlands, Russia, UK, Germany and France.
Tyrone Watkins - three-time Latin and Ballroom champion and choreographer. He has also attained qualifications as an international adjudicator.
The 5th season will run for 10 weeks; it is shot live from The Carlton Hotel Ballroom in Johannesburg with hosts
Ian von Memerty and
Sandy Ngema. Strictly Come Dancing is produced by Kee-Leen Irvine of Rapid Blue.
Celeb Profiles Adil More Anele Mdoda Cindy Nell Garth Collins Gugu Zulu Hlubi Mboya Judith Sephuma Lebo "Shugasmakx" Mothibe Rob van Vuuren Tessa van Duuren Dancer Profiles Brandon Eilers Eksteen Traut Grant Esterhuizen Hayley Bennett Jonathan Broadway Khutso Khunou Mary Martin Robynn Soules Sarah Cooper Seipati Nthoesane Season 5 Mini-Site