Strictly Come Dancing will see a familiar face return to the panel for the upcoming movie week

Strictly Come Dancing judges will be joined by a Hollywood star (Image: BBC)

The BBC’s hit star-studded competition series, Strictly Come Dancing, will return to screens this weekend with its first elimination episode. Following its successful launch, viewers are eager to see the 15 celebrities compete against one another for the chance to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy. However, before things get tense in the finale, fans will also see the return of numerous themed weeks in which the stars will perform choreographies based on different concepts. This includes Movie Week, which usually takes place alongside Halloween, Musical and Blackpool themes.

In a welcome surprise, BBC bosses have confirmed that Movie Week will see the return of Wicked sensation Cythia Erivo, who has dominated the stage and the screens. The actress who will star in the November release of Wicked: For Good will sit alongside the judges during Sunday’s result show. Fans will remember that Cynthia made her Strictly debut in 2021, where she joined as the show’s first-ever guest mentor.

Cynthia first joined Strictly in 2021 and will be making a comeback (Image: BBC)

At the time, Cynthia appeared on Strictly for two weeks to cover for Craig and Motsi, who were absent from series 19 after testing positive for Covid.

During her stint, the Harriet star made a significant impression on viewers after sharing her feedback using British sign language with former competitor Rose Ayling-Ellis, who is deaf.

After the actress and her professional partner, Giovanni Pernice, danced to “Love is an Open Door” from Frozen, Cynthia shared that she found their performance “joyful” and “beautiful.”

The Hollywood star added: “That was so much fun to watch, you managed to get all the characterisation, the mood, the feeling, all in one. It was gorgeous, so thank you.”

Cynthia Erivo will return to Strictly for Movie Week (Image: BBC)

When her 2021 addition was announced Cynthia stated: “Musicals have a unique place in my heart, it’s such a special way of connecting all art and making it one, I’m excited to bring my experience to the show and I can’t wait to see what the couples have in store this weekend.”

In the upcoming episode, which will air October, Sunday 11, she will also watch the Strictly Professionals perform a Wicked-themed dance, to As Long As You’re Mine.

Cynthia is set to work as a mentor with the couples before their Movie Week routines, and will then join the judges to share feedback following the performances.

According to a source via the MailOnline: “Strictly wanted to sprinkle some real Hollywood magic on to Movie Week and have Cynthia coming on board to help train the stars.

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