Over its lengthy historical past (the primary collection was broadcast approach again in 2004), the BBC’s flagship dance contest present Strictly Come Dancing has attracted tons of of illustrious contestants from the worlds of sport and leisure… and, amongst them, we are able to discover a choose quartet of notable names from the classical world.

Classical performers who’ve appeared on Strictly Come Dancing

Aled Jones

Singer and radio / TV presenter Aled Jones shot to fame as a teenage chorister in 1985. That was the 12 months his recording of ‘Strolling within the Air’, for the movie The Snowman, made the highest 5 of the UK singles chart. Since then, Aled has labored for the BBC, ITV, and Traditional FM.

What 12 months did Aled Jones apear on Strictly?

Aled’s Strictly second got here in 2004 (Collection Two) when, dancing with the Russian skilled Lilia Kopylova, he reached week 7. Solely Julian Clary, Denise Lewis and collection winner Jill Halfpenny carried out higher.

Katie Derham

Presenter Katie Derham has made an attention-grabbing journey on the BBC, from monetary researcher to classical music broadcaster. She’s now a well-known face as one of many presenters of the BBC Proms.

What 12 months did Katie Derham apear on Strictly?

In Collection 13 (2015), Katie and her dance accomplice Anton du Beke completed in a really creditable fourth place.

Invoice Bailey

The vastly partaking comic and polymath Invoice Bailey is an avowedly avid fan of all types of music, together with classical. Certainly, we interviewed Invoice Bailey on his love of classical in 2009, a number of years earlier than his victorious look on Strictly Come Dancing.

Bailey selected works by Sibelius, Debussy, Saint-Saëns, Bach and Mozart because the 5 items which have had the best affect on him.

What 12 months did Invoice Bailey win Strictly?

Invoice Bailey competed on Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 (Collection 18). With accomplice Oti Mabuse, Bailey made it all over the competitors, rising because the Collection 18 winner.

He was 55 on the time, that means that, sure, Invoice Bailey is the oldest Strictly winner. Good work, sir!

Dame Darcey Bussell

The retired ballerina Darcey Bussell is maybe now as well-known for her six-year stint as a Strictly choose, as for her illustrious profession on the stage. Bussell began out dancing with Sadlers Wells Royal Ballet, however transferred to the Royal Ballet after only one 12 months. That was the place she acquired the excellence of turning into the youngest-ever principal dancer in 1989, aged simply 20.

Bussell stayed with the Royal Ballet for her complete profession, though she additionally carried out as a visitor with a few of the world’s nice firms together with La Scala Theatre Ballet and the Kirov Ballet.

She retired from ballet in 2007. Her closing efficiency, on the Royal Opera Home, was James MacMillan’s Track of the Earth, which options music from Mahler‘s music cycle Das Lied von der Erde.

When was Darcey Bussell a choose on Strictly?

Darcey Bussell did seven collection as a Strictly Decide – starting with Collection 10, in 2012, and ending with Collection 16, in 2018. She was a part of one of many best-remembered judging lineups, alongside Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, and the present’s longest-serving choose, Craig Revel Horwood.

High pic: Invoice Bailey and Oti Mabuse. Pic: BBC / Man Levy