Strictly Come Dancing fans predict next year's line up!

(Image credit: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing 2024 returned to our screens this evening. And it may only be week four of this year's competition, but the eagle-eyed fans reckon they've already spotted some clues about next year's line-up!

The show began in its usual sparkling fashion this evening with celebrity Shayne Ward taking to the floor with partner Nancy Xu. The pair opened the show with their bowling-themed cha cha, scooping a brilliant 30 points.

They were followed by TV star Sarah Hadland who danced a beautiful foxtrot with her partner Vito Coppola and won 27 points.

But though it was a very strong start to the show, it wasn't the dances that had thrilled the viewers at home.

It was the glittering line-up of stars in the front row of the crowd!

The sharp-eyed fans spotted Ted Lasso star James Lance - who plays reporter Trent Crimm - right at the front.

And he wasn't the only celeb.

He was joined by Kadiff Kirwan, better known as Marcus Longridge in Slow Horses.

"Trent Crimm and Marcus from Slow Horses in the #Strictly audience," said one excited fan.

Trent Crimm and Marcus from Slow Horses in the #Strictly audience?October 12, 2024

NOT A DRILL: TRENT CRIMM IS IN THE AUDIENCE! #StrictlyOctober 12, 2024

Trent Crimm from Tes Lasso in the audience! #SCD #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancingOctober 12, 2024

TRENT CRIMM, THE INDEPENDENT NEXT TO HELEN SKELTON #strictlyOctober 12, 2024

#Strictly Apollo from #Gladiators 🔥🔥🔥I wish he dancing on it tho!!.. With him & Vito, tv doesn't get hotter!!October 12, 2024

They weren't the only celebs on show though.

Former contestants Helen Skelton and Sara Davis were there too.

And Gladiator Montell Douglas was being cheered on by Dynamite, while Apollo appeared in her VT.

Gladiators in Strictly — (Image credit: BBC)

In fact, there were so many celebs on show that fans wondered if they were "foreshadowing" next year's line-up!

Or perhaps it's more of a wish list!

#Strictly Apollo from #Gladiators 🔥🔥🔥I wish he dancing on it tho!!.. With him & Vito, tv doesn't get hotter!!October 12, 2024

I wonder whether the random actors in the front row are foreshadowing next years conteststants #strictlyOctober 12, 2024

Celebs in the front row in week 4 — There were so many celebs in the audience this week! (Image credit: BBC)

For now, though, we're still waiting to see who'll be coming back to dance next week, let alone next year!

We'll find out in tomorrow night's results show. Check our TV Guide for more information.

Kerry is a writer, author and editor with a lifelong love of the soaps, a passion for TV drama of all kinds, and an obsessive devotion to Strictly Come Dancing.

She was features editor of All About Soap magazine for more than a decade, covering every bit of excitement from all the UK soaps and the Aussies and still writes about all the juiciest gossip from the Street, the Square and the Dales whenever she can.

Kerry’s also an author of historical fiction, and her two jobs collided when she got the chance to write two novels based on Emmerdale, and the Sugden, Tate and Dingle families, during WW2.