Two BBC Strictly Come Dancing stars named as being set for major career boosts

Two stars of the new series of Strictly Come Dancing have been tipped for big things when the competition comes to an end. The hit BBC One dance contest returned to screens earlier this month.

The 2024 series, which also marks Strictly's 20th anniversary, has seen 15 new celebrities sign up to the challenge of learning how to dance alongside one of the show's talented professional dancers.

Among the celebrities taking part this year are Olympic medalist and TV presenter Sam Quek, former footballer Paul Merson, TV presenter Nick Knowles, Eastenders actor Jamie Borthwick, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland and singer and actor Shayne Ward.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Chris McCausland supported over honest 'left out' admission to Dianne Buswell

The first live show of the series saw all of the couples performed live in the iconic ballroom for the first time, but it was just for the judges' comments and scores as it's not until Saturday night (September 28), during week two of the competition that viewers get to cast their votes.

The voting lines opening, however, means that the first dance-off and elimination of the 22nd series will take place during the results show on Sunday night (September 29) after all the couples perform once more.

But it's been revealed that two of the show's contestants this year could be in for major career boosts, regardless of lifting the Glitterball trophy.

Comedian Chris McCausland and Olympic swimmer Tom Dean are in line to have the best post-Strictly career boosts of this year’s line-up, a PR expert has said. Speaking to industry data platform Stocklytics, PR Expert Lynn Carratt, Head of Talent at Press Box PR, said there are two contestants who could stand to put their career in a very good stead due to this years’ iteration of the UK’s favourite dancing show.

Chris could be set for plum primetime gigs as TV execs make a beeline for the funnyman, while swimmer Tom could be following in the career paths of the likes of Adam Peaty and Ellie Simmonds.

On behalf of Stocklytics, Lynn Carratt said: "Chris is already a much-loved comedian and his willingness to give anything a go, including dancing on national television every week in front of millions, will only increase his popularity. This will have a knock-on financial benefit for the size of the venue and price of tickets he will be able to charge for future stand-up gigs.

"He’ll also be in line for big money deals from broadcasters, perhaps even as a host. His eponymous chat show aired this summer on ITV, but with his popularity and personality shining through on Strictly, TV execs will be looking at him as a primetime option. There’s nothing to stop him following in the footsteps of Jonathan Ross, or even taking over from him if TV bosses want to go in a new direction.

"Olympic swimmer Tom Dean is also set to do well out of this year’s show. Already being a gold medalist and at the top of his sport aged 24, this move will help him become more of a household name and be in line for larger sponsorship deals.

"He also would’ve seen the paths of Adam Peaty and Ellie Simmonds and have one eye on his career after swimming, and Strictly can be a great way to become a household name and carve his post-elite sport career out now while time is on his side."