I would say Alesha Dixon. When she joined the show she wasn't in a great place personally and she was professionally known as an ex pop singer. I think the show allowed her true personality to be shown to the public and she was loved for her bubbly and fun nature as well as her talent as a dancer.

Anyone else?

Completely agree with you about Alesha.

I would say Jill too. As well as being a fabulous dancer she came across so well on the show, so warm, natural and funny. Career wise she went almost straight in to Chicago after winning Strictly and has continued to enjoy a successful theatre career since in addition to still taking some TV roles.

My two favourite winners.

Career wise I'd say Russell Grant benefited massively but also by his own admission he credits SCD with saving his life. He lost a huge amount of weight in order to even get on the show and has since been in west end musicals & plays, had his own show, brought out fitness DVD's and that's just a small amount of what he seems to have achieved since.

He isn't everyone's cup of tea but seeme to have a constant stream of job offers, and has gone from hardly being able to get out of bed because of his weight and health problems to what he does now. I would say that is a good measure of how being on the show can enhance your future.

Alesha Dixon, for sure.

Although I wasn't impressed at her judging, she remains one of my favourite Strictly winners.

Tom Chambers?

I would agree with Alesha. From an average singer to SCD Judge to BGT Judge.
Alesha: Worthy winner.

If I am not mistaken, Natasha after her win, moved channels for 1mio.
Natasha: Average.

Hes my favourite winner to date. I would in answer to the question though also add Rachel Stevens has done a few TV appearances afterChristine Bleakley as shes done a few TV things after that Daniel O Donnel and Peter Andre with the promotion of their music also James Martin since he got presenting Saturday Kitchen after that

Has to be Alesha. She completely turned her career around, released music again, became a judge on the show and then that led to her role on BGT.

Love this post, absolutely agree

Alesha is the first person I thought of when I saw this thread, but also Kara Tointon. I can't imagine she'd have got the opportunities she's had since without having won Strictly.

I haven't followed Kara's career post Strictly though I liked her on the show. Hasn't she also gone in to theatre in the West End?

It will be interesting to see what happens with last year's contestants although most already had successful careers really and have gone back to their day jobs! I hope Strictly further increases Helen and Anita's opportunities in the future.

Ricky Whittle is now a tv regular in America and just got given his first lead in a series. Even a fairly unpopular contestant from a fairly unpopular series can use the show as a springboard if they play the publicity right.

Georgia has already landed a role in theatre https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Cdqx9dhWIAEvkcd.jpg:large

I would hope something good comes out of strictly for them all though

Only watched the last 2 years so I can't comment on anyone else

Thanks for the link, is that in the West End or elsewhere? I think she did Strictly as a lead in to theatre didn't she. Hadn't seen that, only a sidebar of shame article with Giovanni in a rather fetching socks with loafers combo

London and touring

http://breakfastattiffanys.co.uk/

Is that shared role with Pixie Lott (it has her down for London and touring, and Georgia/Emily Atack as Tour) - in which case ... yay for Strictly Alumni

I have no clue

just posting a link as Ochre asked!

It is a shared role, yes

Thanks for the link

Chuffed for Pixie, talented girl. Still haven't got over her not making the final

Well, given he met his wife as a result, Jimi Mistry.

Others would be Russell Grant, who seemed to come back from the brink and find a new friend in Flavia, Alesha, regained her confidence and a career, and Tom Chambers, who transitioned to a musical theatre/dance career.

Abbey Clancy is another; she was able to gain social footing as something other than a WAG.

She's done 3 West End plays, a couples of films, 2 series of Mr Selfridge and played Maria in Sound of Music Live on ITV at Christmas. Considering she was going to use the money from Strictly to train for another career, it worked out pretty well for her

Ali Bastian did an interview last year saying that her Strictly year was her most successful financially and meant she could buy her own flat. For moderately successful TV actors like Ali and others like her Strictly is a pretty well-paying job especially if they progress to the semi finals and go on the tour. (Though money is rarely mentioned as a motivating factor for going on the show, or on here for that matter.)
http://www.mirror.co.uk/money/ali-ba...r-ever-6426847

The Actors who won Jill, Tom and Kara have all done really well on stage and TV. If I was an agent of a young actor about or thinking about leaving a soap this year Strictly is a great shop window.

But l would say that Ricky Whittle has done even better being in American shows like the 100 and now the lead in American Gods

I agree, but I think Ricky Whittle is a bit different as I think it would've happened the same way without Strictly. After Strictly I think he went back to Hollyoaks and then did the tour a year later, so he didn't really get any major new roles from doing the show. He went to LA a couple of years later, which he probably would've done anyway, but I guess the money from Strictly probably made it a more financially viable move.