The new series of the multi-award-winning Strictly Come Dancing and recent National Television Awards winner of Best Talent Show launched tonight (Saturday 14th September) on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. As the nation’s 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 BBC 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’s 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 Przystał 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!
STRICTLY CELEBRITY AND PROFESSIONAL DANCER PAIRINGS
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: “She is absolutely over the moon having me because she [Dianne] really wants November off. You’ve got a holiday booked, haven’t you?!” When asked by Claudia to talk Chris through what to expect on Strictly, Dianne said: “Firstly, I am a big fan of yours. I’m so excited and honoured to be your partner. Secondly, I can’t answer that yet as I’m not sure myself how it’s going to work! But we are going to figure it out together. Chris added: “Yes, we’re going to figure it out together. We’re going to make mistakes and have a laugh about them. Then we’re going to turn up here and show you all of the mistakes that we’ve learnt!”
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 “I didn’t have a clue who I was going to get. Obviously, I’m older so I didn’t know who would take me on as it were, then we went to the venue and in walks the cockney Russian!” Claudia asked Katya what her plans for Wynne were, she said: “I think no plan is brilliant. This man was born to win!” They then revealed that their first dance is going to be the Samba to Help Yourself by Tom Jones.
Then we saw Shayne Ward paired with Nancy Xu, when asked by Claudia how happy he was about the pairing, Shayne said: “I think Nancy is a phenomenal dancer and I feel so blessed that she’s with me on this journey. On Shayne’s competitive spirit, Nancy said: “Well I will try. Since that’s your goal, that’s my goal!”
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: “that’s what swung me hook, line and sinker – I don’t quite know how I managed to win that, but this is a whole different ball game! I don’t think I can blag it for a whole thirteen weeks.” 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’m so happy!”
Moving on, it was Pete Wicks’ turn to meet his professional partner for the series, Jowita Przystał. On his wardrobe choices for the show, Pete quipped, “I’m in for a penny, in for a pound. I’m never going to be here again, am I?” When asked by Claudia if having Jowita by his side makes it all worthwhile, Pete enthusiastically responded, “Oh, 100%! The little pocket rocket? I’ve got this in the bag now, I’ve changed my mind – I’m going to win it.” Finally, when Jowita revealed his first dance is going to the Paso Doble to The Prodigy – Breathe, Pete looked puzzled and asked, “What’s a Paso Doble?”
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: “How 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’m over the moon!” Claudia then asked what their team name was, Montell and Johannes replied: “Strictly Come Dancing, bringing the MoJo.”
Next it was Sam Quek MBE’s turn to find out that her partner is Nikita Kuzmin. Tess asked her what viewers can expect from her as a dancer, Sam said: “I’m so nervous. I’ve never felt nerves like it. It’s the unknown. Look at me, this isn’t me. I didn’t recognise myself in the mirror!” Nikita said: “Everybody spoke of Sam so well. She’s so lovely and she’s so caring, I cannot wait to start.”
After that, it was JB Gill’s 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: “I’m 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.” Claudia reminded JB that he had his sights set on Amy as his professional partner, JB grinned, “She’s brilliant, plus she’s got experience with popstars, so I know I’m in good hands!”.
Next up we saw Toyah Willcox get partnered with Neil Jones, Toyah said: “I 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!” When asked by Claudia about how it feels to be partnered with Neil, Toyah said: “I met Neil and I was in heaven. All of you are beautiful boys but not as beautiful as Neil!” On Toyah’s plans to be “the first pensioner to abseil through this studio”, Neil said: “I’m scared of heights but I’m up for it.”
Sarah Hadland was then paired with reigning Strictly champion, Vito Coppola. She said: “I am a [Strictly] superfan, I’d be taking it very seriously if I was at home! Depending on which WhatsApp group I was with, you wouldn’t be able to talk during the dances, that’s a very strict rule. You just have to be making lots of mental notes, lots of predictions!” When Claudia asked Vito if he thinks he can win again he said: “Honestly 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!”
Next up, Tess asked Tasha Ghouri about the role of dance in her life. Tasha beamed, “Dance is my pure joy. It’s where I found my inner confidence, and I’m doing this for all the Tashas out there. Disability or not, it’s about celebrating dance and putting smiles on faces. That’s what I’m here for, and I can’t wait to share that with everyone here.” When asked about how delighted she was to be paired with Aljaž Škorjanec – who is back after a two year hiatus, Tasha said: “I am absolutely ecstatic! He’s so fun – chaos, but I love a bit of chaos energy. Honestly, we mesh so well, and I’m so excited. He’s already teaching me little moves, and I’m trying to keep up, but I’ve got a very good one here.” Aljaž said: “Enjoy and embrace every single step of it, honestly, because it’s the most special show that you could ever do.”
Our twelfth pair to be revealed was Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez, who Claudia reminded everyone has scored more tens than any other Professional Dancer currently on the show. On her pairing, Punam said: “Oh 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.” Gorka said: “I can’t wait to go to Scotland, I love Glasgow…and I love haggis!”
Paul Merson had been patiently waiting to find out who is partner was, and before it was revealed, Claudia asked if he’s going to throw himself into the Strictly experience. Paul didn’t hesitate: “Yeah, 100%. I’m going to have fun. If I’m not having fun, it’s not worth doing.” Claudia asked Paul how thrilled he is to be paired with the longest-serving pro, Karen Hauer. Paul responded, “Yeah, I’m well happy. So pleased. You’ve put the two oldest together… and I’m one of them!” Karen said: “I just want him to enjoy himself, I want everyone to enjoy themselves because this is one of the greatest experiences – we’re going to have the most fun!”. Karen then revealed that their first dance would be an American Smooth to Vindaloo by Fat Les.
Our penultimate pairing was Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova. Claudia asked Tom about his concerns regarding his delicate feet. Tom explained, “We don’t do any land stuff, no running or jumping, so I’ve never really gone against gravity in my sporting career. Running, jumping, and twisting are all totally new to me, so I’m slowly trying to build up strength in these delicate feet of mine!” When asked about Tom’s Olympic achievements, Nadiya said: “I’m super happy, he’s not just a swimmer..he’s a winner!”
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 theywould be a good match, Nick said, “Yes, absolutely. I wanted someone who’d be patient. She’s a world-class dancer, so how can it possibly go wrong? Although, it’s a bit like taking an F1 world champion and putting them in a beaten-up old builder’s van to race….we’ll see how it goes. I have had a bit of body work done, though – a spray paint, literally.” Luba said: “I’m pretty sure with some time and a lot of practice, I will try and make you into a Maserati!”
After their show stopping performance, reigning champions Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola reminisced on their time last year and Ellie gave this year’s contestants some words of wisdom: “Well I’m 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.”
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’ dancing skills. Strictly goes live on Saturday 21st September from 19.00 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer when we will see each of our couples take to the dancefloor for their first performances.
