The Strictly Come Dancing couples have finally been revealed tonight.
The show kicked off with an emotional start, with fans in tears moments into the show, as the new series began. It opened up with an exquisite routine performed by the professionals before welcoming hosts Tess Daley and Claudia Winkleman.
Soon enough, the celebrity contestants were also introduced, despite being announced in August on social media by BBC. But their pairings had been kept a tight-lipped secret until now.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing makes history as it pairs Ellie Simmonds with Nikita Kuzmin
The launch was initially postponed following the death of Britain's longest reigning monarch Queen Elizabeth II but the show finally aired this evening, on September 23. A total of 15 famous faces took to the dance floor for the first time as they met their professional partners.
Singers, soap stars and comedians are among the line-up this year and they'll be looking to wow experts Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood with their new skills. Here is a full list of all of this years couples, and the professionals who didn't get paired.
Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin
Paralympian champion Ellie Simmonds will be dancing with Ukrainian professional Nikita Kuzmin after he joined in 2021. Ellie is making history as she is the first ever contestant to have achondroplasia dwarfism on the BBC ballroom show.
She said: "It just gets me emotional really. I’m the first individual with dwarfism to do it in the UK. When I was a kid, if I’d seen someone with dwarfism doing a dancing show on a Saturday night, it would just be something so special."
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Award-winning radio presenter and Kiss FM DJ Tyler West, will be dancing with Australian professional Dianne Buswell. When asked about whether his mum, a huge Strictly fan, was pleased with who he’d be partnered with, he answered: "Oh absolutely! I don’t actually think she’s come here tonight to see me; she’s come to see her!"
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Soap star Kym Marsh has been paired with Graziano Di Prima who joined in 2018. She admitted she knew all the Strictly professionals well due to them frequently appearing on BBC show Morning Live, which she presents alongside Strictly alumn Gethin Jones.
After learning who her partner was, Kym's Morning Live co-host Gethin Jones said she was a "nightmare" to work with.
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Former Two Pints actor Will is set to hit the floor with Nancy Xu by his side. She was introduced to the show in 2019.
However, the actor revealed that he had an unexpected connection to dancer-turned-judge Anton Du Beke. He said: "I’ve seen Anton about because he lives near the same village as me, I saw him at the tip."
He added that he felt well matched to Nancy as he said: “We match well… I’m like an excitable puppy and so’s she!”
Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez
TV presenter Helen has been paired with Gorka Marquez who has been part of the show since 2016.. Gorka's partner, Gemma Atkinson, shared her approval of the matching just moments after it was announced on her Instagram account. She said: "Dream team."
Speaking of what she hoped for in a dance partner, Helen said: "They need to be fun, patient, they probably need to be good with dogs and kids and understand a Northern accent!"
James Bye and Amy Dowden
EastEnders star James Bye will be dancing with Amy Dowden this year. The professional dancer joined the show back in 2017.
Speaking of how he felt about being on the show, the soap actor said: "For me, coming into the unknown is what’s scary, I’ve got zero dance experience… and then I met my dance partner, and she was amazing and completely made me feel at ease."
After being paired with professional partner Amy he added: "I’m so relieved and I couldn’t be happier, I feel like the winner already!"
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Former X Factor contestant Fleur East joined the dancefloor with a newcomer professional. Vito Coppola is one of the four new faces joining Strictly this year.
Fleur said: “I’ve got six alarms that I set, because I snooze all of them. I’ll be up at 4.30am waking everyone up and then dancing at night!”
Vito explained his dancing style as "tough" but added: "I’m sure that she’s going to be alright because she’s a hard worker too!”
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Wildlife expert and presenter Hamza Yassin has been paired with Jowita - a professional who previously won The Greatest Dancer back in 2020.
Hamza revealed that one of his top aims for the show is to get a score of 10 off Craig. Speaking of his pairing with Jowita, he said: "He is just fearless, I can see that, which is very helpful for me! He’s strong and he’s also patient, that’s really important. So, I just cannot wait to go and start rehearsals!"
Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova
Singer songwriter Matt Goss has been paired up with Nadiya who has previously danced with Davood Ghadami and Dan Walker. Matt was beyond excited as he said he couldn't wait to be "Strictlyfied".
The musician said: “I want to be rolled in sequins and glitter!” Nadiya added: “I can’t wait to start teaching him and I can’t wait to start dancing with him.”
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
Comedian Ellie was learning her new moves from South African dancer Johannes Radebe. She revealed how she felt about being on the show as she said: "I like showing off at things I can do, this is awful!"
The star was also delighted about being paired up with Johannes. She said: "It was Johannes, Johannes or Johannes!"
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
Singer Molly Rainford was coupled up with another newbie to the show - Carlos Gu. She said: “I can’t wait to get dancing and get learning some stuff, I feel like it’s going to be electric!”
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
Radio 2 host Richie Anderson admitted he had specific requirements for his partner. He said: "As the great 80s philosopher Sinitta said, 'he’s got to be big and strong and enough to'… whirl me around the dance floor!"
But he was delighted when paired with Giovanni, who lifted the glitterball trophy alongside Rose Ayling-Ellis last year. Richie said: “Could you get anyone better than Mr Giovanni? I feel like I’m the envy of the British public right now!”
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Comedian and actor Jayde Adams will be dancing alongside Karen Hauer - the pro who is marking her 11th Strictly partner. The self-confessed Strictly superfan said: "I feel like it’s not real, I feel like someone made a Strictly themed birthday party and I’m in the middle of it!"
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Former England and Arsenal player, Tony Adams, took to the dancefloor with Katya Jones. The pro has been a firm fixture on Strictly since 2016.
Katya said to him: "We’re going to tackle some dancing, we’re a team now, we’ll work together."
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Loose Women panelist Kaye Adams helped Kai mark his second Strictly stint as the pair coupled up. She gave her thoughts on the pairing as she said: "Can I just say to Mrs Widdrington, you have done an amazing job with this guy, he’s such a lovely man, he really is, I’m so happy to be with Kai!"
Which professionals didn't get a dance partner?
There are 15 celebrities this year and 20 professionals, so five of them ended up without partners, including Lauren Oakley, Neil Jones, Michelle Tsiakkas, Cameron Lombard, and Luba Mushtuk. Lauren and Michelle are new to Strictly after their casting was announced back in July.
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