This yr’s Strictly Come Dancing {couples} have been revealed after the celebrities had been paired up with the skilled dancers throughout Saturday’s launch present.
The pre-recorded episode of the BBC ballroom present noticed the 15 new well-known faces meet their professional for the primary time, earlier than the forged took to the ground collectively for the primary time in a bunch routine.
The pairings have seen reigning professional champion Jowita Przystał paired up with Paralympian Jody Cundy after profitable final yr’s sequence with Hamza Yassin.
Actor Layton Williams will even be a part of this yr’s same-sex couple, after being paired with Nikita Kuzmin.
In the meantime, the present bookies’ favorite – EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier – will dance with Dianne Buswell.
Check out the pairings in full beneath…
- Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
- Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
- Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
- Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
- Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
- Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell
- Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
- Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
- Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
- Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
- Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
- Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
- Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
- Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez
- Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
BBC Studios/Robin Lee-Perrella
The pairings affirm hypothesis that skilled dancers Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones and Michelle Tsiakkas haven’t been partnered with celebrities this yr, however they’ll proceed to characteristic in group numbers.
Amy Dowden had beforehand confirmed she wouldn’t be capable to compete this sequence as she is at the moment present process therapy for breast most cancers.
Earlier this week, Neil – who has solely had two celeb companions within the eight sequence he has been with Strictly – insisted he had no drawback with the scenario.
“I might actually say to you, I like when I’ve a associate, and I like after I don’t have a associate,” he informed Radio Instances.
“Once you don’t have a associate, lots of people assume you simply sit at house. However you actually don’t.
“On Strictly, they ensure you’ve bought a lot to do. We’re doing group numbers and music acts, we assist out different professionals.”
Nadiya’s 2021 dance associate Dan Walker additionally spoke out in defence on her after it was reported within the tabloid press that she was “each gutted and really, very offended” not be paired up this yr.
“All the professionals are nice however gutted that [Nadiya] hasn’t bought a associate,” he wrote on X, beforehand often called Twitter. “I’m certain she’s nonetheless trying ahead to being a part of the most important present on TV nevertheless it feels a bit like placing Messi on the bench for the World Cup remaining!
“She is so proficient, the most effective instructor anybody may hope for, a prime class lobster [and] she’s the Yorkshire Barmaid!”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.
