Where are the Strictly Come Dancing winners now? From heartbreak, babies and glittering new careers, MailOnline takes a look back at the show’s success stories

As another series of Strictly Come Dancing begins this evening, there will be a host of new celebrities battling to lift the famous glitterball trophy.

Last year saw soap star Ellie Leach soar to victory with her partner Vito Coppola, while wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin was crowned champion in 2022.

Strictly has been on the air since 2004 with a total of 21 celebrities having taken home the Glitterball Tropy so far. 

While some, like actress Kara Tointon and Britain’s Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon, went on to have huge success off the back of the Strictly fame, others like presenter Chris Hollins, cricketer Mark Ramprakash and actor Tom Chambers have quietly resumed the roles that made them well-known in the first place.

Here, MailOnline reveals what the Strictly Come Dancing champions did next – as the show gets set to celebrate its 20th anniversary. 

SERIES 21: Ellie Leach

Coronation Street star Ellie Leach won the hearts’ of the nation last year when she appeared on the 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Lifting the glitterball with her partner Vito Coppola, Ellie made headlines for her sensational dance skills – and in true Strictly fashion, swirling rumours.

The actress was the youngest celebrity to ever win the show, clinching the title at just 22 years old.

Since her record-breaking win, Ellie has appeared in reality show Drama Queen – which followed some of the best known soap stars – as well as starring in the stage show Cluedo 2: The Next Chapter.

SERIES 20: Hamza Yassin 

Known for his work presenting on Cbeebies, Hamza Yassin was one of the stars to grace the Strictly dance floor in 2022. 

Hamza and his partner Jowita battled against singer Fleur East, TV presenter Helen Skelton and actress Molly Rainford in the final of 2022’s competition.

But it was the wildlife cameraman who was the 20th celebrity to be crowned Strictly champion – despite coming bottom of the leader-board in the final. 

Since his stint on the show, Hamza has continued his wildlife career – and even written three books.  

SERIES 19:  Rose Ayling-Ellis

Actress Rose Ayling-Ellis was best known for her role as Frankie Lewis on BBC soap EastEnders when she joined Strictly.

The first deaf contestant to take part in the show, she quickly established herself as one to watch with her stellar performances.

Rose won the show with her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice and has since presented the documentary Signs For Change about the challenges faced by deaf people.

She has also left her role on EastEnders and in August, unveiled the first deaf Barbie doll equipped with behind-the-ear hearing aids as part of the campaign Rose, Barbie and Friends,

SERIES 18: Bill Bailey

Musician and comediamn Bill Bailey started series 18 as an underdog but quickly proved himself as one of the top contenders for the trophy.

He won the show with pro partner Oti Mabuse, becoming the oldest winner in the show’s history at 55.

Since his win, Bill has gone back to touring, completing the En Route to Normal show in Australia and New Zealand this year.

He has also told of his ambition to represent the UK in the Eurovision Song Contest. 

SERIES 17: Kelvin Fletcher 

Kelvin Fletcher joined Strictly at the last minute, coming in as a replacement for Jamie Laing after he had to drop out with a foot injury.

The Emmerdale star immediately became one of the favourties to win and ultimately took home the gold with Oti.

Since Strictly, Kelvin has continued with his acting career, appearing in shows including Moving On and Death In Paradise.

In May 2022, he and his wife Liz Marsland announced they had welcomed twin boys, while they are also parents to Marnie, five, and Milo, three.  

SERIES 16: Stacey Dooley

TV presenter Stacey Dooley won the 16th series with pro dancer Kevin Clifton and the pair quickly began dating.

In August 2022, Stacey and Kevin confirmed they are expecting their first child together.

During a recent appearance on The One Show, she said: I’m delighted, I can’t quite believe it. I feel really lucky. Because I’m 35 so you never take it for granted.’

She announced her pregnancy in an Instagram post, writing: 

‘Gaaaaaaang… We are having a baby! So bloody delighted. Kev, you’re magic, I love youuuu.

‘(Was becoming impossible to hide and if one more person asks me if I’ve had my t**s done in LA I’m gonna scream). Here goessssssss.’

SERIES 15: Joe McFadden

Joe McFadden won the 2017 series of Strictly with Katya Jones, beating out Alexandra Burke, Debbie McGee and Gemma Atkison in the final.

The actor was best known for his roles in Holby City and Scottish soap Take The High Road.

He has continued to act since taking home the Glitterball Trophy, most recently appearing in the UK tour of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. 

SERIES 14: Ore Oduba 

Ore Oduba emerged victoria during series 14, beating out actor Danny Mac and singer Louise Redknapp in the final.

Winning the show gave the TV presenter a taste for reality TV as he went on to take part in both The Cube and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

He began his musical theatre career in 2019 with a role in Grease while he has also appeared in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Ore has also started a family since winning Strictly, being father to son Roman, four, and daughter Genie, 14 months, with his wife Portia.

SERIES 13: JAY MCGUINNESS

Strictly champ Jay McGuinness found fame as a member of boyband The Wanted, who split up in 2014 before reuniting last year.

Since the show, the 32-year-old has won a part in the musical Big, which is currently being performed in Dublin, playing the role made famous in the film by Tom Hanks. 

There were rumours he had became close to his professional dance partner Aliona Vilani on Strictly but they said they were just good friends.

Aliona quit the show this year to start a family with husband Vincent Kavanagh but she did reunited with Jay at the launch of this year’s series to perform their Pulp Fiction dance routine, for which they scored a perfect ten.

SERIES 12: CAROLINE FLACK

Strictly boosted Caroline Flack profile when she won in 2014  with the star going on to present ITV’s Love Island three years later.

Prior to Strictly, she was best known for her work presenting spin-off shows like The Xtra Factor and I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here NOW!

Following her post-Strictly rise in popularity, she moved to prime-time TV to present The X Factor 2015 with her popstar friend Olly Murs. 

Caroline tragically took her own life in February 2020 hours after she was told she would face a trial for allegedly assaulting her boyfriend Lewis Burton.

Her management team described her as ‘vulnerable’ and criticised the Crown Prosecution Service for pushing ahead with the case despite Lewis saying he did not want to press charges.

SERIES 11: ABBEY CLANCY

Abbey had worked as a model and presenter but was best known for being married to footballer Peter Crouch before she won Strictly in 2013. 

The WAG from Liverpool secured a number of lucrative modelling contracts following her Strictly win with lingerie and sportswear brands. 

She also had presenting stints on This Morning and returned to the show in which she first found fame – Britain’s Next Top Model.

SERIES TEN: LOUIS SMITH

Louis Smith won Strictly shortly after clinching silver and bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics but his heroic reputation has taken a dent in recent months. 

The accolades initially kept coming after his Strictly win as he was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to gymnastics and then won Commonwealth gold at the Glasgow games in 2014. 

But after he added another Olympic medal to his collection in Rio in 2016 gaining silver in the men’s pommel horse final, he was accused of having ‘sour grapes’ when he unenthusiastically congratulated his GB team-mate Max Whitlock for taking the gold. 

He then recently received a two-month ban from gymnastics, after a controversial video of him mocking the way Muslims pray surfaced online. 

SERIES NINE: HARRY JUDD

Harry Judd was already a teen heartthrob before Strictly as the drummer for boyband McFly but he won a legion of new fans after showing off his toned torso on the dance show.

The singer won the show in 2011 while the boyband where taking a break from performing to pursue other projects.

Since Strictly, the McFly got back together and had a sell out tour when they joined forces with Busted to become McBusted.

They’ve also performed gigs as their original four-piece, performing their back catalogue in the Anthology tour.

Harry became a father for the first time in January 2016 after having daughter, Lola with his wife Izzy, a former Escala violinist.

They later welcomed sons Kit in 2017 and Lockie in 2021.  

SERIES EIGHT: KARA TOINTON

The acting career of Kara Tointon, 33, has blossomed since she won Strictly in 2010 but her romance with dance partner Artem Chigvintsev withered.

Kara was best-known for playing Dawn in EastEnders before winning Strictly and off the back of her success on the show, she won a number of roles on stage and screen.

She gained critical acclaim when she tread the boards in plays including Absent Friends and Relatively Speaking, and appeared in hit ITV drama Mr Selfridge playing Rosalie, daughter of department store founder Harry Selfridge.

She was also praised for her singing and dancing as she played Maria in ITV’s The Sound of Music Live.

Such was the career boost Strictly gave Kara, she told You Magazine that appearing on the show changed her life.

It also led to her having a three year relationship with her dance partner Artem but they split amicably in 2015 due to conflicting work schedules preventing them from spending any time together. 

SERIES SEVEN: CHRIS HOLLINS

Appearing on the dance show in 2009 turned Chris Hollins from just another BBC Breakfast presenter to a more recognisable personality.

He won largely on force of personality and determination by reaching the final by consistently winning the public votes despite not always getting high scores from the judges. 

After taking the victory, he married wife Sarah in 2012, and they had their first child in 2014.

Chris initially resumed his job as a sports correspondent for BBC Breakfast but winning Strictly undoubtedly opened doors for him and other presenting roles beckoned. 

He has presented Watchdog, Cash In The Attic and the Food Inspectors, as well as being a stand-in presenter on The One Show.

SERIES SIX: TOM CHAMBERS

Tom Chambers, who found fame in Holby City, delayed his wedding mid-series so he could stay on Strictly in 2008. 

He married his teenage sweetheart Clare, with whom he now has two children, shortly after claiming victory. 

Proving his prowess on the dance floor led to the actor gaining roles in West End shows including Top Hat and then White Christmas. 

Since then, his career has continued on the small screen with roles in Waterloo Road, The Great Train Robbery and Father Brown.

He’s also reprised his Holby City character Sam Strachan on sister show Casualty.

SERIES 5: ALESHA DIXON

Alesha Dixon has become one of the show’s biggest success stories after winning in 2007. 

She previously admitted it changed her life as she took part following a painful split from MC Harvey.

She cited winning the show as her ‘greatest achievement’ telling Event magazine: ‘Prior to that I was at a total loss and it empowered me. 

‘When I was training for the dances, nothing existed apart from Strictly. I was in a bubble. I did ten hours of training every day. 

‘Winning the show taught me I was never going to be a victim again. I am a stronger person because of it and there isn’t anything you can’t throw at me now.’

That all changed after Strictly and she was given a new record deal and had hits including The Boy Does Nothing.  

In September 2009, she then became a judge on Strictly, replacing Arlene Phillips, before jumping ship in 2012 to become a judge on Britain’s Got Talent.

SERIES FOUR: MARK RAMPRAKASH

Mark Ramprakash was the second English cricketer to win the show and he earned the nickname ‘snake hips’ for his smooth moves.

The Middlesex and Surrey batsman didn’t cash in on other showbiz opportunities post-Strictly but quietly resumed his cricket career notching up runs to achieve the rare feat of scoring 100 first-class centuries.

He retired from playing the game in 2013, when he was awarded an MBE for services, and remains in the sport as the England batting coach.

He’s now rarely in the spotlight but hit the headlines in 2015 when it was reported he had split from his second wife Puja Vedi after three years of marriage. 

SERIES THREE: DARREN GOUGH

Cricketer Darren Gough was the surprise winner of the third series after working hard to improve his dance steps after faltering start.

Following the victory, the father of two sons resumed playing for club and country as a fast-bowler before retiring from the professional game in 2008. 

Darren said Strictly had been ‘an amazing experience’ and gave him a new love for dance.

He said after he won: ‘I’ve loved every minute of it. I hope I’ve shown people that you can be a macho guy and still dance.’

He later returned to the dance floor in Strictly Christmas specials and tours around the UK. 

In 2014, he appeared on Channel 4 show The Jump and during this time he announced he had separated from his wife, Anna. 

It was reported he was having a fling with his The Jump co-star Amy Childs, from TOWIE, bit both maintained they were just friends.

Darren was said to have reconciled with his wife in 2016, with the couple remarrying two years later.

SERIES TWO: JILL HALFPENNY

Actress Jill Halfpenny was a soap stalwart prior to winning the second series of Strictly having played parts in The Bill, Coronation Street and EastEnders.

Success on the dance show led to her being given lead parts in West End shows including Chicago and Legally Blonde.

Strictly gave her the chance to breakaway from soap land and she has remained busy on stage and on screens.

Her roles included playing Beverly Moss in Mike Leigh’s classic play Abigail’s Party, Jill Drummond in sci-fi series Humans and Diane in BBC drama In The Club

In her personal life, she married Craig Conway in 2007 and they had a son together in 2008 but divorced two years later. 

SERIES ONE: NATASHA KAPLINSKY

Thanks to winning the first series of the show in 2004, Natasha Kaplinsky became the most in-demand TV news anchor in the UK. 

Channel 5 paid her a salary that was said to be worth £1million a year to make her defect from BBC News.

Natasha sparked gossip on Strictly as her relationship with dance partner Brendan Cole led to him breaking-up with his fiance and fellow professional dancer Camilla Dallerup.  

The newsreader went on to tie the knot with investment banker Justin Bower in 2005 and they have two children together Arlo, eight and Angelina, six.

She then left Channel 5 in 2010, after spending a year of her time there on maternity leave, to pursue other projects.