Strictly Come Dancing signs huge Hollywood star to ‘sprinkle magic’ on movie week

A huge Hollywood star has reportedly agreed to be a guest mentor on Strictly Come Dancing.

Cynthia Erivo, who plays Elphaba in the film adaptation of Wicked, is said to have signed on to be part of movie week.

This isn’t the first time the 38-year-old actress has appeared on the BBC dance show, she previously served as a guest judge in 2021.

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Cynthia filled in for Craig Revel Horwood during musicals week, alongside regulars Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

However this time her role will be different, as she’ll be dishing out advice to contestants including Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis and fellow musical theatre performer Amber Davies.

A source told The Sun: “Strictly wanted to sprinkle some real Hollywood magic on to Movie Week and have Cynthia coming on board to help train the stars.

“She’ll be working with all the celebrities in the rehearsal rooms in the lead-up, then will be live in the Strictly studio to give her feedback on their routines.”

Cynthia proved a hit with Strictly viewers during her last stint in the show – especially when she used sign language to communicate with deaf contestant Rose Ayling-Ellis.

After watching her moving performance, Cynthia told her: “You’re joyful. Beautiful. That was so much fun to watch and you managed to get all the characterisation and the mood and the feeling all in one. It was gorgeous, so thank you.”

Viewers flocked to social media to call for Cynthia to be on the show ‘every week’.

One wrote: “I am loving Cynthia Erivo even more she spoken to Rose by using sign language.”

A second said: “Cynthia is such a joy. Absolutely loving her as guest judge.”

A third begged: “Can Cynthia Erivo be on Strictly every week, please?!”

The Mirror reports that prior to finding Hollywood success, Cynthia was primarily a stage actress.

She starred in The Color Purple on Broadway, and played the role of Deloris Van Cartier in a UK tour of Sister Act: The Musical.

She also starred as the female lead in the short-lived I Can’t Sing: The X Factor Musical more than a decade ago.