Wicked star Cynthia Erivo is set to return to Strictly Come Dancing as the show's first ever guest mentor. The 38-year-old will appear during Movie Week on 11 October, having previously served as a guest judge for two weeks in 2021, covering for Craig Revel Horwood and later Motsi Mabuse.
Movie Week will also feature a Wicked-themed dance from the professional dancers, performed to 'As Long As You're Mine' – a duet sung by Erivo's character Elphaba opposite Jonathan Bailey's Fiyero in the upcoming sequel Wicked For Good. Erivo will help the remaining 14 couples dance like movie stars, coaching them in rehearsals and in the studio on the night, where she will sit alongside the judges.
During her earlier stint on Strictly, Erivo was praised for giving feedback to eventual champion Rose Ayling-Ellis in British Sign Language. Her return follows the first live show of the 2025 series, which saw former England midfielder Karen Carney become the first footballer to top the leaderboard in 18 years.
Former Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was moved to tears after his cha cha to Salt-N-Pepa's 'Push It' with partner Karen Hauer, a routine he said he had dreamed of after suffering an injury last year. Other contestants include Thomas Skinner, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Amber Davies, who replaced Dani Dyer-Bowen after the latter was injured in rehearsals.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday at 6.20pm on BBC One, with judges' scores from the first live show rolling over and the first elimination taking place.
