Simon Webbe

Alongside Duncan James, Lee Ryan and Antony Costa, Simon sang his way to stardom in the noughties and remains firmly on the nations’ radar as one quarter of chart-topping boyband Blue.

Blue first got together in 2001 when Simon’s flat-mate Lee Ryan put him forward to be the fourth member of a band he’d formed with his mates Antony and Duncan. Blue was born and they never looked back.

Having sold over 10 million records worldwide and 3.3 million albums in the UK. Blue’s assault on the charts included singles: All Rise, Fly By and One Love.

Between 2005 and 2009 the band took a break, which saw Simon launch a successful solo career. His debut solo album, Sanctuary, went double platinum, with single releases: Lay your Hands and No Worries. In 2011 Blue reformed to represent the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest finishing in a respectable 11th place.

Simon’s career has also seen him take to the West End with Sister Act the Musical, alongside Shelia Hancock and Whoopi Goldberg. And having already worked with some of the world’s most famous people, from Stevie Wonder to Sir Elton John, he’s certainly not scared of working with big names. So watch out Revel-Horwood! Facing the judgement of Craig is something Simon’s had to endure before – when he came third for his Cha Cha Cha in Strictly’s Christmas Special in 2011.

Simon’s also taken part on ITV’s I’m a Celebrity, Get Me Out Of Here! and has featured on ITV2’s The Big Reunion. But there’s more to Simon than singing and TV stardom. He’s also a music manager, a DJ, and even has his own series of educational DVDs called Simon’s Web, which teaches children about the internet.

Growing up in Manchester as one of nine children, Simon is used to competition, but how will he take to Strictly? Will the judges 'rise' to applaud his Jive or will his ‘guilty’ feet leave him 'blue'? It’s all to play for.