The best Strictly Come Dancing books by the show's stars

Who wouldn't want to learn to dance with two-times Strictly champion Oti Mabuse, to be fair? During the spring 2020 lockdown, Oti's YouTube dance classes for children became an instant hit, and off the back of that, she created this sweet book (beautifully illustrated by Samara Hardy), encouraging kids to immerse themselves in the joy of dancing. Oti and Samara have also teamed up for a follow-up called Dance With Oti: The Lion Samba, released in summer 2022.

Shirley's autobiography, originally released in 2020, is available in hardback and paperback form, and she also reads the audiobook version herself. As well as going into detail about her first few weeks as a Strictly judge (and how she found it "more nervewracking" than years of competitive dancing to start with), Shirley also gets candid about a disagreement she had with Craig Revel Horwood (and his subsequent apology). She also reflects on growing up on the Wirral, leaving home aged only 14, and the tough personal experiences that have shaped her life to date.

First published in 2020, Quite sees Strictly co-host Claudia writing on the things that are important to her, (and of course, she narrates the audiobook, too, if you'd like to hear her reading all of that out to you). It's not an autobiography, although she reflects on her life throughout – more of a series of themed, stream-of-consciousness observations on what makes her world go round. Quite sees Claudia paying a very moving tribute to the NHS and nurses. She reflects on getting older, and how that changes your priorities – oh, and she dedicated one of the opening pages to some searingly honest critique from her children.

Craig's life story has spanned three books and this, In Strictest Confidence, is the third instalment in that series (following on from All Balls and Glitter and Tales from the Dance Floor). Craig brings his account of changes at Strictly, including Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman's retirements, and the arrival of Claudia Winkleman and Shirley Ballas. He also reflects on some big changes in his life, including undergoing a second hip operation, and his complex relationship with his late father.

Long-time Strictly pro-turned-judge Anton du Beke is a published author now, don't you know – several times over. His 'Buckingham Hotel' book series concerns itself with dancing and romancing in days gone by, which feels as resolutely on brand as his swing album. One Enchanted Evening, Moonlight Over Mayfair and A Christmas To Remember span a two-year time period and are set in the same hotel with the same characters. The fourth and fifth novels in the series We'll Meet Again and The Ballroom Blitz, take the story into World War II.

Ex-Strictly judge and former Royal Ballet principal Darcey is the subject of this part-coffee table photo book, part biography reflecting on her 30-year career dancing around the world. Expect striking photography and personal stories.

First published in 2016, the year after she left Strictly, Ola tells her story – from her early years and first dreams of becoming a professional dancer to meeting her husband and dance partner James (who she said she'd "never considered" could be interested in her "in that way" when they were first introduced).

You're going to need a bigger bookshelf with all these Strictly autobiographies. Bruno's was first published in 2012 (any chance of a volume two?) and tells of how he left home at 18 to join the La Grand Eugene company, followed by the many, many music videos, TV and film dance routines he choreographed in his pre-Strictly/Dancing with the Stars career (and yep, even confident Bruno says he was a "bag of nerves" giving Goldie Hawn a one-on-one dance lesson back in the day).

Kristina's autobiography was published in 2015 (her final year on Strictly) and includes a frank account of her difficult childhood, including the after-effects of her parents' divorce – plus the joy that dance has given to her from a very young age.

Pasha's autobiography comes complete with a foreword from Kimberley Walsh, who reached the Strictly final with him in 2012. In My Story, first published in 2013, Pasha reflects on his time on both So You Think You Can Dance and Strictly, as well as opening up about topics including romance, body image, and his experience with a life-threatening illness in 2006.

Len's autobiography was published in 2009, when he was a judge on both Strictly and its transatlantic counterpart Dancing with the Stars. He shares stories of growing up in the East End of London (where he helped his grandfather to sell fruit and vegetables, hence the 'barrow boy' of the title), the ups and downs of his personal life, plus one of his greatest regrets from his time judging on Strictly.