The new series of the multi-award-winning Strictly Come Dancing and recent National Television Awards winner of Best Talent Show launched tonight (Saturday 14 September) on 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer.
As the nation鈥檚 favourite dance show celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, the launch show started proceedings off with an extra sprinkle of glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.
Strictly Come Dancing, produced by 麻豆社 Studios, welcomed back our effervescent Hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, along with our knowledgeable Judges, Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke.
As well as revealing which celebrity contestants are paired with which Professional Dancers, the launch show featured five epic performances including: a fun, fancy footwork filled routine from our Professional Dancers (and cameos from the wider Strictly family!) encouraging everyone to get aboard the Strictly Bus; a celebratory welcome back dance to mark Amy Dowden MBE鈥檚 momentous return to the Ballroom; a fiery and passionate Paso Doble performed by the reigning champions from 2023, Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola; a stunning music extravaganza from Clean Bandit and Anne-Marie in the studio performing a rendition of their song Cry Baby with David Guetta [not in the studio], alongside a mesmerising spectacular dance routine from professional dancers Lauren Oakley, Kai Widdrington, Jowita 笔谤锄测蝉迟补艂 and Carlos Gu; and finally a sequin-filled group number featuring our brand new Strictly celebrity class of 2024 treating us to their dance skills for the very first time!
- Read more: Strictly Come Dancing 2024 - Everything you need to know about the 20th anniversary series
- Meet the Pros: Strictly Come Dancing 2024 professional dancers reveal secret live show prep rituals and share hopes for Strictly's future
- Read: The Strictly Judges reveal their secret live show treats, explain how they spot a finalist and tease outfit surprises for Strictly's 20th year
- More: Strictly Come Dancing 2024 celebrities reveal why they signed up, who's the 'dark horse' and the dances they're most looking forward to
Strictly 2024 Celebrity and Professional Dancer Pairings
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Firstly, we saw Chris McCausland get paired with his partner Dianne Buswell, who reached the final last year. Claudia said that the pairing was dreamy to which Chris said: 鈥淪he is absolutely over the moon having me because she [Dianne] really wants November off. You鈥檝e got a holiday booked, haven鈥檛 you?!鈥�
When asked by Claudia to talk Chris through what to expect on Strictly, Dianne said: 鈥淔irstly, I am a big fan of yours. I鈥檓 so excited and honoured to be your partner. Secondly, I can鈥檛 answer that yet as I鈥檓 not sure myself how it鈥檚 going to work! But we are going to figure it out together.
Chris added: 鈥淵es, we鈥檙e going to figure it out together. We鈥檙e going to make mistakes and have a laugh about them. Then we鈥檙e going to turn up here and show you all of the mistakes that we鈥檝e learnt!鈥�
- Find out more about Chris and why he's most looking forward to "mosh pit week"
- Get to know Strictly pro Dianne Buswell
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
Next up to be partnered was Wynne Evans and Katya Jones, when asked by Claudia how he was feeling about finding out who is Professional Dancer is Wynne said 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 have a clue who I was going to get. Obviously, I鈥檓 older so I didn鈥檛 know who would take me on as it were, then we went to the venue and in walks the cockney Russian!鈥�
Claudia asked Katya what her plans for Wynne were, she said: 鈥淚 think no plan is brilliant. This man was born to win!鈥� They then revealed that their first dance is going to be the Samba to Help Yourself by Tom Jones.
- Find out more about Wynne and his signature dance move - the slug
- Get to know Strictly pro Katya Jones
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Then we saw Shayne Ward paired with Nancy Xu, when asked by Claudia how happy he was about the pairing, Shayne said: 鈥淚 think Nancy is a phenomenal dancer and I feel so blessed that she鈥檚 with me on this journey.
On Shayne鈥檚 competitive spirit, Nancy said: 鈥淲ell I will try. Since that鈥檚 your goal, that鈥檚 my goal!鈥�
- Find out more about Shayne - and the routines he's most keen to get stuck into
- Get to know Strictly pro Nancy Xu
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
Being paired next was Jamie Borthwick who was partnered with professional dancer Michelle Tsiakkas.
Jamie said about his time on the Strictly Christmas Special last year that: 鈥渢hat鈥檚 what swung me hook, line and sinker - I don鈥檛 quite know how I managed to win that, but this is a whole different ball game! I don鈥檛 think I can blag it for a whole thirteen weeks.鈥�
When Claudia asked Michelle about how she was feeling being partnered with a celebrity for the first time, Michelle answered: "It's a dream come true to finally be able to dance on that Strictly dance floor with a partner and what better partner than Jamie to dance with. I鈥檓 so happy!鈥�
- Find out more about Jamie - and the advice his EastEnders' co-stars have given him
- Get to know Strictly pro Michelle Tsiakkas
Pete Wicks and Jowita 笔谤锄测蝉迟补艂
Moving on, it was Pete Wicks鈥� turn to meet his professional partner for the series, Jowita 笔谤锄测蝉迟补艂. On his wardrobe choices for the show, Pete quipped, 鈥淚鈥檓 in for a penny, in for a pound. I鈥檓 never going to be here again, am I?鈥�
When asked by Claudia if having Jowita by his side makes it all worthwhile, Pete enthusiastically responded, 鈥淥h, 100%! The little pocket rocket? I鈥檝e got this in the bag now, I鈥檝e changed my mind 鈥� I鈥檓 going to win it.鈥�
Finally, when Jowita revealed his first dance is going to the Paso Doble to The Prodigy - Breathe, Pete looked puzzled and asked, 鈥淲hat鈥檚 a Paso Doble?鈥�
- Find out more about Pete - and why he doesn't have a signature dance move
- Get to know Strictly pro Jowita Przystal
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Then it was over to Montell Douglas, who was paired with Johannes Radebe.
Claudia asked Montell how happy she was with her pairing, to which Montell said: 鈥淗ow can you not be, I don't think there is a person on this earth who doesn't want to be partnered with JoJo, I鈥檓 over the moon!鈥�
Claudia then asked what their team name was, Montell and Johannes replied: 鈥淪trictly Come Dancing, bringing the MoJo.鈥�
- Find out more about Montell - and how her fellow Gladiators took her Strictly news - here.
- Get to know Strictly pro Johannes Radebe
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Next it was Sam Quek MBE鈥檚 turn to find out that her partner is Nikita Kuzmin.
Tess asked her what viewers can expect from her as a dancer, Sam said: 鈥淚鈥檓 so nervous. I鈥檝e never felt nerves like it. It鈥檚 the unknown. Look at me, this isn鈥檛 me. I didn鈥檛 recognise myself in the mirror!鈥� Nikita said: 鈥淓verybody spoke of Sam so well. She鈥檚 so lovely and she鈥檚 so caring, I cannot wait to start.鈥�
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
After that, it was JB Gill鈥檚 moment, and he was paired with Amy Dowden MBE.
First off, Claudia asked Amy what it was like being back in the Strictly Ballroom, Amy said: 鈥淚鈥檓 delighted, it just feels like my first year all over again. I just want JB to have the best time and fall in love with dancing.鈥�
Claudia reminded JB that he had his sights set on Amy as his professional partner, JB grinned, 鈥淪he鈥檚 brilliant, plus she鈥檚 got experience with popstars, so I know I鈥檓 in good hands!鈥�.
- Find out more about JB and how his JLS bandmates reacted to his big news
- Get to know Strictly pro Amy Dowden
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Next up we saw Toyah Willcox get partnered with Neil Jones, Toyah said: 鈥淚 am channelling my inner Dolly Parton. I want to be totally glam the whole time ... Glastonbury was fantastic but I have to say the atmosphere in here is better!鈥�
When asked by Claudia about how it feels to be partnered with Neil, Toyah said: 鈥淚 met Neil and I was in heaven. All of you are beautiful boys but not as beautiful as Neil!鈥�
On Toyah鈥檚 plans to be 鈥渢he first pensioner to abseil through this studio鈥�, Neil said: 鈥淚鈥檓 scared of heights but I鈥檓 up for it.鈥�
- Find out more about Toyah and why she's ready to channel her "inner Ann Widdecombe"
- Get to know Strictly pro Neil Jones
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Sarah Hadland was then paired with reigning Strictly champion, Vito Coppola.
She said: 鈥淚 am a [Strictly] superfan, I鈥檇 be taking it very seriously if I was at home! Depending on which WhatsApp group I was with, you wouldn鈥檛 be able to talk during the dances, that鈥檚 a very strict rule. You just have to be making lots of mental notes, lots of predictions!鈥�
When Claudia asked Vito if he thinks he can win again he said: 鈥淗onestly you know I love to enjoy and live in the moment and the present. Sarah and me have the same energy. I see Sarah as sparkling water, bubbly. We are going to live this journey as a bubble!鈥�
- Find out more about Sarah - and her theory about Angela Rippon's leg
- Get to know Strictly pro Vito Coppola
Tasha Ghouri and Alja啪 艩korjanec
Next up, Tess asked Tasha Ghouri about the role of dance in her life. Tasha beamed, 鈥淒ance is my pure joy. It鈥檚 where I found my inner confidence, and I鈥檓 doing this for all the Tashas out there. Disability or not, it鈥檚 about celebrating dance and putting smiles on faces. That鈥檚 what I鈥檓 here for, and I can鈥檛 wait to share that with everyone here.鈥�
When asked about how delighted she was to be paired with Alja啪 艩korjanec - who is back after a two year hiatus, Tasha said: 鈥淚 am absolutely ecstatic! He鈥檚 so fun 鈥� chaos, but I love a bit of chaos energy. Honestly, we mesh so well, and I鈥檓 so excited. He鈥檚 already teaching me little moves, and I鈥檓 trying to keep up, but I鈥檝e got a very good one here.鈥�
Alja啪 said: "Enjoy and embrace every single step of it, honestly, because it's the most special show that you could ever do."
- Find out more about Tasha - and the challenge she wants to set herself
- Get to know Strictly pro Alja啪 艩korjanec
Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka M谩rquez
Our twelfth pair to be revealed was Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka M谩rquez, who Claudia reminded everyone has scored more tens than any other Professional Dancer currently on the show.
On her pairing, Punam said: 鈥淥h I'm absolutely buzzing. I think we are the perfect pairing. I feel honoured, because you've got so many years of experience. I can't wait to take you up north to bonnie Scotland.鈥�
Gorka said: 鈥淚 can鈥檛 wait to go to Scotland, I love Glasgow... and I love haggis!鈥�
- Find out more about proud Scot and 'Glajabi' Punam - and why she won't be giving up her GP work while training
- Get to know Strictly pro Gorka M谩rquez
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Paul Merson had been patiently waiting to find out who is partner was, and before it was revealed, Claudia asked if he鈥檚 going to throw himself into the Strictly experience.
Paul didn鈥檛 hesitate: 鈥淵eah, 100%. I鈥檓 going to have fun. If I鈥檓 not having fun, it鈥檚 not worth doing.鈥� Claudia asked Paul how thrilled he is to be paired with the longest-serving pro, Karen Hauer. Paul responded, 鈥淵eah, I鈥檓 well happy. So pleased. You鈥檝e put the two oldest together鈥� and I鈥檓 one of them!鈥�
Karen said: 鈥淚 just want him to enjoy himself, I want everyone to enjoy themselves because this is one of the greatest experiences 鈥� we're going to have the most fun!鈥�. Karen then revealed that their first dance would be an American Smooth to Vindaloo by Fat Les.
- Find out more about Paul - and why watching Tony Adams is one of his favourite Strictly memories
- Get to know Strictly pro Karen Hauer
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Our penultimate pairing was Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova.
Claudia asked Tom about his concerns regarding his delicate feet. Tom explained, 鈥淲e don鈥檛 do any land stuff, no running or jumping, so I鈥檝e never really gone against gravity in my sporting career. Running, jumping, and twisting are all totally new to me, so I鈥檓 slowly trying to build up strength in these delicate feet of mine!鈥�
When asked about Tom鈥檚 Olympic achievements, Nadiya said: 鈥淚鈥檓 super happy, he鈥檚 not just a swimmer... he鈥檚 a winner!鈥�
- Find out more about Tom - and the lessons he learned from Adam Peaty's Strictly journey
- Get to know Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
The final pairing of the launch show was Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk.
Tess started by asking Nick what made him want to take part in Strictly this year. When asked if he thought they would be a good match, Nick said, 鈥淵es, absolutely. I wanted someone who鈥檇 be patient. She鈥檚 a world-class dancer, so how can it possibly go wrong? Although, it鈥檚 a bit like taking an F1 world champion and putting them in a beaten-up old builder鈥檚 van to race....we鈥檒l see how it goes. I have had a bit of body work done, though 鈥� a spray paint, literally.鈥�
Luba said: 鈥淚鈥檓 pretty sure with some time and a lot of practice, I will try and make you into a Maserati!鈥�
After their show stopping performance, reigning champions Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola reminisced on their time last year and Ellie gave this year鈥檚 contestants some words of wisdom: 鈥淲ell I鈥檓 so glad to be back. I feel at home when I'm here, but I think my advice is just to take every minute in it goes so so fast, so just enjoy it, guys. It's the best, best time ever.鈥�
At the end of the show, we saw our celebrities and professional dancers perform their first group number to finish the launch show in style, giving us our first sneak peek at the celebrities鈥� dancing skills.
Strictly goes live on Saturday 21 September from 7pm on 麻豆社 One and 麻豆社 iPlayer, when we will see each of our couples take to the dancefloor for their first performances.
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