The latest line-up of celebrities set to star in the UK's Strictly Come Dancing 2021 series was announced.
Making their grand entrance to the famous Strictly ballroom in Blackpool for the first time are children's television presenter Rhys Stephenson, chef John Whaite, McFly singer and guitarist Tom Fletcher, presenter AJ Odudu and comedian Robert Webb.
Blue Peter presenter Stephenson said: “I am buzzing to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing 2021. I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation.”
Running since 2004, Strictly Coming Dancing 2021 is back for its 19th season and will no doubt be bringing dancing, music and glamour back to Saturday and Sunday night TV across the UK.
Fletcher is best known as a lead vocalist and guitarist in McFly, one of Britain’s most successful bands. Having wrote 10 UK No 1 singles for McFly, he's also written many chart-topping songs for bands like One Direction, Busted and 5 Seconds Of Summer.
“I think the fact that I’m actually going to be dancing on Strictly this year has only just started to sink in while I’m writing this! I’m incredibly excited, of course, but also totally terrified! My kids were excited too until I started showing them my best dad-dancing in the kitchen,” said Fletcher.
Bafta-winner Webb is a television, film and theatre actor known for his role in Peep Show and his comedy partnership with David Mitchell. Odudu is a former The Voice and Big Brother’s Bit On The Side presenter and Whaite is a chef and 2012 winner of The Great British Bake Off.
The remaining celebrity contestants set to participate in the show are still to be announced by the BBC.
Four new professional dancers join the 2021 cast
As well as a slew of new celebrity faces, this year's Strictly will also welcome four new professional dancers to its line-up. Joining the team on the hit show are dancers from South Africa, Ukraine, Poland and the UK.
Kai Widdrington from Dancing With The Stars Ireland and Jowita Przystal, winner of BBC One's The Greatest Dancer 2020, join the team.
Also set to put the celebrities through their paces are former Let’s Dance Germany professional Nikita Kuzmin, and the reigning South African Latin Champion Cameron Lombard.
The four join the existing team of dancers in the popular series including Oti Mabuse, Gorka Marquez and Giovanni Pernice.
If you go
The flights
The closest international airport for those travelling from the UAE is Denver, Colorado. British Airways (www.ba.com) flies from the UAE via London from Dh3,700 return, including taxes. From there, transfers can be arranged to the ranch or it’s a seven-hour drive. Alternatively, take an internal flight to the counties of Cody, Casper, or Billings
The stay
Red Reflet offers a series of packages, with prices varying depending on season. All meals and activities are included, with prices starting from US$2,218 (Dh7,150) per person for a minimum stay of three nights, including taxes. For more information, visit red-reflet-ranch.net.
What is the definition of an SME?
SMEs in the UAE are defined by the number of employees, annual turnover and sector. For example, a “small company” in the services industry has six to 50 employees with a turnover of more than Dh2 million up to Dh20m, while in the manufacturing industry the requirements are 10 to 100 employees with a turnover of more than Dh3m up to Dh50m, according to Dubai SME, an agency of the Department of Economic Development.
A “medium-sized company” can either have staff of 51 to 200 employees or 101 to 250 employees, and a turnover less than or equal to Dh200m or Dh250m, again depending on whether the business is in the trading, manufacturing or services sectors.
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Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
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