At the end of last year, the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing brought some
much-needed sparkle to Saturday nights in the UK. Leeds alumni are no strangers to the Strictly ballroom ...
Image credit: © BBC
2020: Jamie Laing (Theatre and Performance 2011)
2020 finalist Jamie was due to take part in 2019 but withdrew before the live shows after suffering an injury. He didn’t waste his second opportunity, reaching the final with partner Karen Hauer.
Speaking to the BBC before the show started, Jamie said: “It’s one of the shows that we all grew up with. Honestly, it makes my mum proud that I’m doing it … I’m pretty damn competitive,
I don’t like losing at anything, and especially something I fell out of last year. I’m going for the win!”
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2020: Nicola Adams (Honorary LLB 2015)
Olympic champion boxer Nicola and her dance partner Katya Jones made Strictly history by becoming the show’s first ever same-sex pairing.
Nicola told the BBC: “I wanted a new challenge, something different to do. I’m always challenging myself all the time … It’s been an incredible experience.”
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2017: Reverend Richard Coles (MA Theology and Religious Studies 2005)
Richard, a parish priest, journalist and former member of the Communards,
partnered with Dianne Buswell in 2017, but was voted off the show in week two.
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2016: Naga Munchetty (English Literature and Language 1997)
Taking to the floor in 2016, TV presenter, newsreader and journalist Naga partnered with Pasha Kovalev, making it to week four before being voted out.
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2015: Anita Rani (Broadcasting 2000)
Anita, an author, TV presenter and BBC Radio 4’s Woman's Hour presenter, reached the semi-finals paired with Gleb Savchenko in 2015.