Strictly Come Dancing knows how to bring a bit of glitz and glamour, and this year's edition of Movie Week will certainly give that in spades thanks to an exciting new addition. The latest season of the BBC show is now well under way, with last weekend's episode kicking off things in style.
However, the star wattage will be going up significantly during Movie Week next weekend (11 October), as Digital Spy understands than none other than Wicked star Cynthia Erivo will be returning to the series for one week.
The triple Oscar-nominee last appeared on the show four years ago as a guest judge for two weeks, first replacing Craig Revel Horwood and then Motsi Mabuse during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While Erivo will be on the panel this time too, things will get even more exciting as it has emerged that she will also become a Guest Mentor. This brand new role sees the actor and singer help coach the couples during rehearsals and in the studio during the live show, as she sits alongside the other judges.
It comes ahead of the release of Wicked: For Good in November, where Erivo reprises the role of Elphaba Thropp. We understand that Strictly will be getting fully into the Oz spirit as the professional dancers do a routine to 'As Long As You're Mine' from the next Wicked movie.
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Given Erivo's last Strictly appearance went down so well, her return to the ballroom will be something to really look forward to.
During her time on the panel, the star was particularly praised by viewers for her use of sign language while giving feedback to Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice for their Musicals Week Quickstep.
One fan suggested at the time that there should be a "petition to make Cynthia Erivo a permanent Strictly judge", calling her "wise, fair, effortlessly cool, and doing BSL for Rose".
"Rose's face lit up when Cynthia signed to her and I think that really sums up just how amazing it's been to have her on a primetime show," another added.
Erivo's new Wicked movie is due out in cinemas on 21 November, and alongside singing a number of iconic numbers from the original musical, For Good will also get a bit of a change-up with the inclusion an original Elphaba song called 'No Place Like Home'.
"I collaborated on one of the new songs, and it's so special to me," the star told Variety last year. "When we filmed it, the entire crew was in tears. I hope audiences are ready – it's a song that speaks to the heart of who Elphaba is."
The sequel will also see the returns of Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Jeff Goldblum as the Wizard of Oz and Marissa Bode as Nessarose.
Meanwhile, ahead of Strictly's Movies Week, you can now check out all the dances and songs that the couples will be undertaking this weekend.
Strictly Come Dancing airs on Saturdays on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer. Wicked: For Good is released in cinemas on 21 November.
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Sam is a freelance reporter and sub-editor who has a particular interest in movies, TV and music. After completing a journalism Masters at City University, London, Sam joined Digital Spy as a reporter, and has also freelanced for publications such as NME and Screen International. Sam, who also has a degree in Film, can wax lyrical about everything from Lord of the Rings to Love Is Blind, and is equally in his element crossing every 't' and dotting every 'i' as a sub-editor.
