There are no snowflakes in the Strictly lineup. These celebrities have backbone

Elsewhere, the lineup is notable for having three Olympians, the most the series has ever boasted. Sportsmen obviously have nerves of steel which makes them perfect candidates for the increasingly tough show, and Quek, Douglas and Dean are good casting inasmuch as they can stay the distance, but also each add something very different to the celebrity mix. Then there is Chris McCausland, the popular comic who lost his sight at age 22, following years of deterioration from retinitis pigmentosa. 

Three years ago Strictly created history when Rose Ayling-Ellis became the first deaf contestant on the show. Now it’s doing so all over again with McCausland, who is the first blind Strictly dancer. It is a reminder that, beyond the amazing choreography, Strictly’s appeal lies in its ability to tell inspiring stories and show us those who are prepared to push against the odds to accomplish feats of which they never imagined themselves capable.  

That narrative is likely to appeal to BBC executives as they work at shoring up Strictly’s credibility as family-friendly fare and keeping the fun factor front and centre. Restoring the spark to Strictly is a challenge as daunting as mastering the cha cha cha when with two left feet. But by unveiling a lineup of dark horses and strivers who know all about going above and beyond, the broadcaster has given itself the best possible chance. The rest is up to viewers.   

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One in September