Where are the forgotten stars of Strictly? From politicians to Olympians and I'm A Celeb stars - a look at the fan favourite contestants who ditched showbiz for a quieter life

Strictly Come Dancing has seen over 300 contestants compete for the Glitterball trophy since 2004.

Viewers have seen a range of celebrities appear on the show including politicians, Olympians, actors, presenters and reality stars.

For some celebs, starring on Strictly has catapulted their career into many different directions.

But other famous faces have fallen off the showbiz map or packed up the industry for a quieter life.

Susannah Constantine, Ore Oduba, Danny Mac and Edwina Currie are among the stars that have ditched the spotlight.  

Here MailOnline takes the look at what happened to those long forgotten Strictly stars...

Susannah Constantine

English journalist and fashion guru Susannah, 62, appeared in the BBC show alongside Anton Du Beke.

The stylist, who is famed for her fashion career alongside Trinny Woodall, was first booted off the competition in 2018. 

Susanna is renowned for her 30-year friendship with Trinny and their starring on What Not To Wear, but in recent years has stepped out of the limelight.

Last year, Susanna ran the risk of a serious stroke after being diagnosed with a neurological condition.

She revealed she was rushed to hospital for emergency surgery in 2023 after suffering from an arteriovenous malformation (AVM), a rare neurological condition that disrupts the flow of blood and oxygen to the brain.

Addressing her health in a new interview with The Times, Susannah revealed if it wasn't treated in time she could have suffered a brain haemorrhage, paralysis or stroke.

She said: 'My left arm became weaker. All the muscles were atrophied, it was withered. I got to the point where I couldn't even change gear in my car and it was very painful.'

Susannah added: 'It was actually the receptionist who looked at the notes, which had been sitting there over a year, and said, 'You need to see a neurosurgeon immediately.'

She went on to have life-saving surgery, explaining: 'Women are very resilient. I've learnt just to be accepting of everything and I couldn't change anything that was out of my control. 

'Being older, you're just like, "OK, it's done. On to the next thing." Things start falling off and there's nothing we can do about it. You just have to be more vigilant and take more responsibility about one's health.'

She said: 'My left arm became weaker. All the muscles were atrophied, it was withered. I got to the point where I couldn't even change gear in my car and it was very painful.'

Mark Ramprakash

Mark appeared in Strictly Come Dancing with his professional partner Karen Hardy in 2006.

The former cricket player, 55, was the second English cricketer to win the show and he earned the nickname 'snake hips' for his smooth moves.

The Middlesex and Surrey batsman didn't cash in on other showbiz opportunities post-Strictly but quietly resumed his cricket career notching up runs to achieve the rare feat of scoring 100 first-class centuries.

He retired from playing the game in 2013, when he was awarded an MBE for services, and remains in the sport as the England batting coach.

He's now rarely in the spotlight but hit the headlines in 2015 when it was reported he had split from his second wife Puja Vedi after three years of marriage.

Ore Oduba 

Ore and his partner Joanne Clifton lifted the Glitterball trophy in 2016, beating out actor Danny Mac and singer Louise Redknapp in the final.

Winning the show gave the TV presenter a taste for reality TV as he went on to take part in both The Cube and Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins.

He began his musical theatre career in 2019 with a role in Grease while he has also appeared in The Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Ore now focus on being a father to son Roman, four, and daughter Genie, 14 months.

The star announced he and wife Portia had ended their nine-year marriage in October.

He confirmed the 'difficult' news in an Instagram statement where he revealed they had decided to split earlier this year.

He wrote: 'Hi guys. Portia and I are sad to announce that we separated earlier this year. We're so grateful for all the love you've shared with us both over the years.

'And we want to thank you in advance for respecting our privacy as we navigated this difficult transition. We will be making no further comment. Be kind, always.'

Natasha Kaplinsky

Thanks to winning the first series of the show in 2004, Natasha became the most in-demand TV news anchor in the UK.

Channel 5 paid her a salary that was said to be worth £1million a year to make her defect from BBC News.

Natasha sparked gossip on Strictly as her relationship with dance partner Brendan Cole led to him breaking-up with his fiance and fellow professional dancer Camilla Dallerup.

The newsreader went on to tie the knot with investment banker Justin Bower in 2005 and they have two children together Arlo, eight and Angelina, six.

She then left Channel 5 in 2010, after spending a year of her time there on maternity leave, to pursue other projects.

Danny Mac

Danny, 36, went on to reach the finals of Strictly Come Dancing with his professional partner Oti Mabuse in 2016.

The actor joined the Hollyoaks cast in 2011 where he played the part of Mark ‘Dodger’ Savage up until 2015.

Spending four years on the Channel 4 soap, Danny was nominated at the National Television Awards for Best Newcomer, Most Popular Newcomer, and Best Serial Drama Performance. 

He was also voted three times as Soap’s Sexiest Man at the Inside Soap Awards, and twice Sexiest Male at the British Soap Awards.

After years in the spotlight, Danny now focuses his time on being a doting father to his daughter Skye, three, and son Beauie Mac, six months.

He and his actress wife, and the mother of his children, started dating in 2011 and tied the knot six years later.

Edwina Currie 

Edwina, 78, who was partnered with Vincent Simone, was the first star to be voted out of the competition in 2011.

The former politician appeared on I'm A Celeb three years later in 2014, where she finished in fourth place.

Yet she has kept mostly out of the spotlight since with the exception of brief appearances on Good Morning Britain to share her opinion.

In 2022, the former health minister revealed how she broke her hip during a freak accident with a runaway dog.

Edwina was left 'totally mashed up' after being knocked down by the German Shepherd during a walk with her own dog. 

The smash left the I'm A Celebrity veteran needing an emergency hip replacement, which left her in hospital for 10 days.

Edwina said she was left 'numb with pain' after being mown down by the dog, which lunged at her near her home in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire.

The ex-politician had a four-year affair with former Prime Minister John Major in the 1980s.

Quentin Wilson 

Quentin Wilson, 67, and his Strictly professional partner Hazel Newberry received the lowest score in show history when they competed in 2004.

The former Top Gear host made headlines back in 2004 when he received the lowest score from the judges that Strictly Come Dancing has ever seen.

The TV star is best known for fronting the car show as well as other programmes like Britain's Worst Driver and Fifth Gear.

However, it wasn't smooth sailing and the presenter was dubbed 'Britain's Worst Dancer' as he received a shocking score of one from Craig Revel Horwood. 

The duo were awarded eight out of 40, with judges Craig, Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips and Bruno Tonioli giving them scores of two ones and two threes.

Unsurprisingly, Quentin and Hazel were voted off the show first and he still maintains the lowest score record.

After leaving Fifth Gear, Quentin transitioned into various other roles and contributed to automotive journalism, writing articles and offering expert opinions on cars.

Quentin also engages in public speaking and participated in various motoring-related events.

Louis Smith 

Louis won Strictly shortly after clinching silver and bronze medals at the London 2012 Olympics but his heroic reputation has taken a dent in recent months.

The accolades initially kept coming after his Strictly win as he was awarded an MBE in the 2013 New Year Honours for services to gymnastics and then won Commonwealth gold at the Glasgow games in 2014.

But after he added another Olympic medal to his collection in Rio in 2016 gaining silver in the men's pommel horse final, he was accused of having 'sour grapes' when he unenthusiastically congratulated his GB team-mate Max Whitlock for taking the gold.

He then recently received a two-month ban from gymnastics, after a controversial video of him mocking the way Muslims pray surfaced online.

Louis recently announced the birth of his second child with his girlfriend Charlie Bruce.

They already parents to daughter, Marley Valentina, three, who they welcomed in 2021.