Musicians, comedians, TV presenters, actresses and beauty queens to take centre stage
Celebrity contestants and their dance partners for the 6th season of the much anticipated return to South African TV screens of popular international dance show, Strictly Come Dancing have been confirmed. Due to start on 10 July on SABC3, the weekly live show will put the 10 celebrity contestants through their paces as they attempt to conquer the glitzy world of dance.
The five male contestants are: Expresso presenter Graeme Richards, comedian Mpho Popps, 5fm breakfast radio producer Damon Kalvari, Durban based musician L’vovo and popular actor Thapelo Mokoena.
The female contestants are; TV presenters Lalla Hirayama and Kuli Roberts, and popular actresses Connie Ferguson, Zakeeya Patel (High Rollers) and Jay Anstey (Isidingo).
Risuna Mayimele, SABC3 Marketing Manager added that “This is a very talented and exciting group of celebrity contestants that will no doubt provide loads of weekly entertainment for our loyal viewers during the live show every Wednesday between 8pm and 10pm. Their various attributes and entertainment industry experience will make for very entertaining and electrifying television”.
Putting the celebrities through their paces will be a very talented team of professional dancers that consists of; Hayley Hammond, Hayley Bennet, Nombulelo Hlathi, Mary Martins, Lindsey Muckle, Sylvester Sefotlhelo, Grant Esterhuizen, Brandon Eilers, Ryan Hammond and Tsholo Moholowane.
Hayley Hammond, Mary Martin, Ryan Hammond, Brandon Eilers and Hayley Bennet have been part of previous seasons of Strictly Come Dancing and share four victories amongst themselves. They return to hunt for more accolades alongside very capable newcomers Nombulelo Hlathi, Sylvester Sefotlhelo, Grant Esterhuizen and Tsholo Moholwane.
Pairings for the celebrity contestants and their dance partners are:
– Damon Kalvari and Hayley Hammond
– Thapelo Mokoena and Hayley Bennet
– Mpho Popps and Nombulelo Hlathi
– L’Vovo and Mary Martins
– Graeme Richards and Lindsey Muckle
– Kuli Roberts and Sylvester Sefotlhelo
– Llala Hiriyama and Grant Esterhuizen
– Connie Ferguson and Brandon Eilers
– Zakeeya Patel and Ryan Hammond
– Jay Antsey and Tsholo Moholwane
Hosts for the show were also confirmed earlier with comedian Marc Lottering and radio DJ, Pabi Moloi taking over the anchor roles on the weekly live show.
With a brand new judging panel of dance industry professionals Michael Wentink, Tebogo Kgobokoe and Samantha Peo; the sixth season of the popular dance franchise, and first season SABC 3 promises to be a major highlight for South African television this year.
