Strictly Come Dancing to welcome Wicked star Cynthia Erivo for special guest appearance
Cynthia previously appeared on Strictly in 2021 - but now she has a new job on the showWicked star Cynthia Erivo is returning to Strictly Come Dancing for a special appearance in Movie Week.
The actress and singer, who has previously appeared as a guest judge on the BBC show, will now be Strictly’s first ever guest mentor.
Cynthia has already been nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Elphaba in the movie Wicked. Could this make her any more of a perfect coach for this year’s celebrities? Here’s what we know.
Wicked’s Cynthia Erivo is going to appear as a guest mentor on Strictly Come Dancing’s Movie Week [Credit: Cover Images]
When is Cynthia Erivo on Strictly Come Dancing?
Fans of Cynthia can catch her on Strictly Come Dancing on Movie Night. This year it will be on Saturday October 11, 2025. By this stage, there will be 14 couples left in the competition.
Cynthia, 38, will first spend the entire week mentoring the stars during training and rehearsals with their pros. The British-born star will then be in the studio during the live show. Cynthia will sit alongside the judges.
The news comes four years after Cynthia stood in as a guest judge on the show. She stepped in for two weeks in 2021, covering for Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
Confirming her comeback, a BBC spokesperson said: “For this year’s movie week, Strictly will welcome back the wickedly talented Cynthia Erivo, star of one of last year’s biggest movies!
“Cynthia has been nominated for three Oscars – most recently this year, for playing Elphaba in Wicked – and has already won Emmy, Grammy, and Tony awards.”
They added “Cynthia was a guest judge on Strictly for two weeks in 2021, covering for Craig and then Motsi. She received praise from viewers for her insightful, supportive feedback. She memorably gave her comments to Rose Ayling-Ellis in British Sign Language.
“This time, Cynthia returns for one week only as Strictly’s first ever guest mentor, helping the 14 remaining Strictly couples unleash their inner movie stars by coaching them in rehearsals and in the studio on the night, where she will sit alongside the judges.”
Cynthia stars alongside Ariana Grande in Wicked [Credit: Wic/DPA/Cover Images]
Who is Cynthia Erivo?
Cynthia is best known for her leading role in Wicked. She stars alongside Ariana Grande in the blockbuster movie, who plays Glinda. Wicked: Part 1 hit cinemas in 2024. The second part hits cinemas worldwide next month.
Cynthia was born in Stockwell, London. She made her West End debut in the romantic musical The Umbrellas of Cherboug in 2011. By 2015, she had moved to Broadway in New York. Cynthia took the lead in The Colour Purple for two years. It earned her the Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical and the Grammy Award for Best Musical Theatre Album. Cynthia also won a Daytime Emmy.
Cynthia has also starred in movies, including Pinocchio, Harriet and Bad Times at the El Royale. If she wasn’t already, she very much became a household name last year thanks to Wicked.
When can I watch Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly Come Dancing is back this Saturday for the Week 2 dances. This year’s 15 celebrities will be battling it out with brand new dances and songs. The show starts at 6.20pm on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing: The Results also returns this weekend, with the opening of the public vote. The two lowest scoring celebrities will face a dance-off on Sunday night. The judges will then send the weaker couple home. The remaining 14 will have made it through to Movie Week.
Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2025: All the dances and songs for Week 2 confirmed
