Strictly Come Dancing season one first aired in 2004, and since then, it has become something of a ritual. Every year, as the sky grows darker and the air feels colder, it can only mean one thing: a new gang of celebrities are taking to the dancefloor for the chance to win the coveted Glitterball.
As the weeks go by, we’ll be able to see this year’s Strictly line-up learn and grow as they blossom into formidable dancers. And let’s face it: at least one contestant will split from their partner and succumb to the Strictly curse.
Now that the 21st season of Strictly Come Dancing has begun, it’s time for us to take a look at where our inaugural celeb contestants are now…
Christopher Parker
EastEnders fans might know Christopher Parker better as Spencer Moon, a character he portrayed in the soap between 2002 and 2005. Impressively, he juggled his prime-time soap role along with Strictly. He was paired with pro Hanna Karttunen on the show.
The duo got all the way to the final, but sadly, just months later, Christopher tried to take his own life. According to The Sun, this was due to a woman claiming that he had lied about their relationship to hide his sexuality.
After his hospitalisation, he left EastEnders, fame and fortune behind. He retrained as a media lawyer. Chris continues to practice to this day.
Strictly Come Dancing season one cast – Jason Wood
Before joining Strictly, Jason Wood was a successful comedian who frequented the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and headlined comedy clubs. He was best known for his impressions of musicians.
He was partnered up with Kylie Jones on the show. And, in an unlucky turn of events, the pair ended up being the first couple eliminated from the show. This was despite not having the lowest votes, and Wood being described as changing from “a caterpillar to a butterfly in one week”
Sadly, at the age of 38, Jason died in his sleep in 2010, just hours after performing what ended up being his final gig.
Lesley Garrett
Opera singer and broadcaster Lesley Garrett went all the way to the semi-final with then-dancer Anton Du Beke. Since Strictly, Lesley has been awarded a CBE and she continues to perform.
However, earlier this year she opened up about a cancer diagnosis so rare that it affects less than 400 people in the UK each year. The 70-year-old singer revealed doctors found a thymoma – a tumour on the thymus gland – a tiny organ that sits below the breastbone, just above the heart and between the lungs.
She told the Mail: “Knowing there was a risk to my voice, that I could lose it and my career, was so terrifying – so unthinkable – that I had no choice but to lock my fears away. If I’d lost the ability to sing, it would have been the end of my life, really – I’d have lost an essential part of myself. Singing isn’t just what I do, it’s who I am. I’d have lost myself, and I can’t imagine what I would have done. It would have been a kind of death.
“But thanks to my wonderful NHS team and the cleverness of the technology I have made a full recovery and there has been no lasting effect on my voice. I’m so relieved and grateful, and hope that by shining a light on a rare cancer we can raise awareness and understanding of it.”
Natasha Kaplinsky
Newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky didn’t just win the first season of Strictly. She and her partner Brendan Cole were also rumoured to have been the first victims of the Strictly curse!
Both split with their long-term partners during the show, and allegedly got together once the show had ended. The pair have since married different people.
Since the show, Natasha endured a number of heartbreaking miscarriages before having her two children. She remains in broadcasting, and spends a lot of her time doing charity work.
Martin Offiah
Professional rugby player Martin Offiah made it to the semi-finals with Erin Boag. After scoring ore than 500 tries in his illustrious sporting career, Martin was inducted into the Rugby Hall of Fame back in 2013.
Since then, he’s retired from playing. But he is still involved in the sport as the official Ambassador of Wigan Warriors.
Strictly series one cast now – David Dickinson
Before going on the show, David Dickinson was already a TV mainstay as host of Bargain Hunt and This Morning’s occasional antiques expert. He reached seventh place with pro Camilla Dallerup, and in a 2018 interview, he reflected on just how much Strictly has changed since he appeared on it.
“It seemed like a bit of fun when I did it. Not quite as competitive, not quite so serious,” he said. “We did two or three hours [of rehearsing a day] instead of eight to 10 now.”
These days, he presents the show Dickinson’s Real Deal.
Claire Sweeney
At the time, Claire Sweeney was best known for her role as Lindsey Corkhill in Brookside. She and pro partner John Byrnes were eliminated in week 5. But Claire’s career hasn’t slowed down since.
She’s acted in a slew of West End shows, presented shows such as 60 Minute Makeover, I’m Famous and Frightened and Here Comes The Sun. Most recently, she’s been seen terrorising pensioners as Cassie Plummer in Coronation Street.
Verona Joseph
Verona Joseph is best known for her role as Jess Griffin in medical drama Holby City. She and pro partner Paul Killick came sixth. As well as continuing with Holby City, she also appeared in Casualty and Dr Who.
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