Strictly’s Karen Hauer flashes her toned abs as she joins leggy Dianne Buswell at rehearsals after more celebrity contestants were confirmed

The Strictly pros were spotted rehearsing on Wednesday, after more stars were confirmed for this year’s line-up.

Karen Hauer and Dianne Buswell showed off their toned abs in tights and crop tops as they walked into the studio.

The pros were overjoyed when it was confirmed that TOWIE’s Pete Wicks and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri would be joining JLS star JB Gill and blind comedian Chris McCausland.

Dianne wore her red locks loose and sported a quirky bucket hat and chunky cream and neon orange sneakers.

Michelle Tsiakkas glowed as she headed to work in a coral ruffled mini skirt and black top with delicate gold sandals.

Luba Mushtuk arrived in leggings, a bra top and an oversized blue shirt and grinned for the cameras before walking into the studio.

Vito Coppola was in high spirits, smiling and waving for the cameras as he entered, his dance bag in one hand, dressed in a tight blue shirt and long white shorts.

Despite the negative press, the stars looked positive as they geared up for a day of dancing.

Strictly continues to face more controversy after a number of former celebrities spoke out about the ‘toxic’ nature of the show.

The scandal broke out when Amanda Abbington quit the show in 2023. She alleged that her partner Giovanni Pernice abused her and later left the show.

Shortly afterwards it was revealed that Graziano Di Prima had been sacked for ‘kicking’ his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott.

As the stars got into shape for the new series, more celebrity contestants were announced.

Tasha shared the news on Wednesday’s KISS FM Breakfast Show, excitedly saying: ‘Pinch me, I can’t believe I’m on Strictly Come Dancing!’

‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s an absolute Ghouri family favourite – so this is a dream come true. I know it’s going to be an unforgettable experience and I hope to represent everyone and make them proud on that dance floor.’

Pete also called Kiss FM on Wednesday morning to confirm his arrival.

He told the show: ‘It’s a mixture of excited and petrified, generally petrified. I’ve said to people, can you really imagine me actually doing this and they’re like, yeah you’re right, you wouldn’t.’

‘I have to turn my phone off now because I’m still getting a lot of messages.’

He revealed that he had already told the news to his best friend Sam Thompson, who was ‘crying’.

“I’m not kidding, he was screaming, jumping up and down and crying. He’s already scheduled to come every Saturday and he’s making t-shirts and he’s my biggest fan in life, he’s already making t-shirts. He’s kind of like Martha in Baby Reindeer.”

Pete is good friends with Zara McDermott, the girlfriend of his best friend Sam, who starred in the 2023 series of Strictly, but there is no animosity between the two.

A source told MailOnline: ‘Zara is so thrilled that Pete has landed the Strictly gig. Her experience on the show was so individual – she hopes no one else goes through the same thing again.

“She knows Pete will have a great time and could even impress the judges. He is incredibly hardworking and a good person and will thrive in an environment that can be intense, but he performs best when he is challenged and under pressure.

‘Zara doesn’t want what happens to her to get in the way of his Strictly adventure and is supporting Pete, even though it’s a little close to home.’

The latest revelation comes after professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, admitted kicking Zara during their sessions, leading to him being fired from the BBC series.

This follows claims that his abusive behaviour was captured on video, with Zara calling the footage ‘extremely painful to watch’.

Meanwhile, Strictly is in danger of becoming embroiled in a new row after signing Tasha, a trained dancer.

MailOnline reported that the 25-year-old former Love Island star has appeared in a number of major dance events and music videos, leading to concerns that she may have an unfair advantage over her celebrity co-stars.

Last year’s series was tarnished by accusations that actor Layton Williams, a veteran West End performer, had the upper hand over his opponents because of his extensive dance background.

And Tasha’s participation in the BBC One programme could prove just as controversial, given she has been dancing since she was five and has entered competitions.

Other celebrities already confirmed to take part in the anniversary series include blind comedian Chris McCausland, who became the first celebrity contestant on the 2024 series not to be visible, revealing the news on Monday’s This Morning.

The signing is a first for the dance competition, which previously saw deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis take part, who won the glitter ball trophy in 2021 together with Giovanni Pearce.

Comedian and CBeebies actor Chris, 46, lost his sight at the age of 22 due to a hereditary condition, Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Later on This Morning, JLS star JB Gill was confirmed as the second celebrity.

The singer first rose to fame during the fifth season of The X Factor, where he finished in second place along with the other members of JLS.

The group released two albums before going their separate ways in 2013. At the time, each member was estimated to be worth £6 million.

The current line-up includes Tasha and Pete, as well as Chris McCausland, singer JB Gill, 80s rocker Toyah Wilcox, Morning Live’s Dr Punam Krishnan and singer Wynne Evans.