Summer is officially over and that means one thing - Strictly Come Dancing is almost back!
The much-loved BBC series delighted fans of the ballroom dancing competition on Wednesday afternoon [September 7) when it dropped a new trailer on social media for the upcoming 20th series, ahead of the show's launch later this month and just hours after the new stars were spotted heading to rehearsals for the first time.
Fans quickly rushed to the comment section to discuss their excitement - dubbing 'Strictly season' the 'best time of the year' and highlighting just which celebrity dancers they can't wait to see take to the dancefloor in less than two weeks.
The trailer - which originally aired on BBC One after The One Show on Tuesday night - stars the likes of reigning champion Giovanni Pernice, Diane Buswell and other Strictly professionals dancing to an alternative version of Nina Simone’s classic Feeling Good.
Newcomers Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, and Michelle Tsiakkas also make an appearance in the first official teaser ahead of their debut appearance on the show, as the professional dancers waltz alongside landmarks across the United Kingdom - including the Blackpool Tower.
"Strictly is back and we're feeling so good [star emoji] See you in the Ballroom on Saturday 17 September," Strictly's official Instagram account captioned the preview on Wednesday afternoon.
"Ballroom numbers hit differently!! strictly season is here," one excited fan quipped underneath the update, as another agreed and added: "SCREAMING ABSOLUTELY GOING FERAL POSITIVELY."
"I can't wait for this. My heart misses a beat with excitement when I see the promos and hear the music," a third wrote online, as another gushed: "best time of the year."
One fan was particularly impressed with this year's new trailer, declaring: "this has got to be one of the best strictly ads! roll on the 17th."
Strictly's teaser comes after the latest batch of celebrities hoping to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy later this year were spotted appearing to be in good spirits as they headed to rehearsals for the first time earlier this week.
Former X Factor star Fleur East, presenter Helen Skelton and comedian Ellie Taylor were all smiles as they headed to rehearsals in London on Tuesday [September 6], ahead of the much-loved BBC series returning to our screens once again in less than two weeks.
The trio joined the likes of Ellie Simmonds, Bros singer Matt Goss and retired footballer Tony Adams as they left a London hotel to head to the studio for the first time this week, amid reports the Strictly Come Dancing professionals have been working seven day weeks for months to make sure this year's series is a success.
Gorka Marquez says he and the other Strictly Come Dancing pros work seven-day weeks to make sure the show is perfect, and also reveals he suffers from terrible insomnia and often only gets two hours sleep every night.
Speaking to OK! magazine, he said: "The pros don’t get a day off. Sunday is our resting day but then we have to choreograph and plan next week’s numbers."
The dancer - who is engaged to former Strictly contestant Gemma Atkinson - added: " "I know that for the next five months I’ll never switch off, just when I sleep. And sometimes I only sleep for two hours as I can’t switch off."
This year's series of the BBC show sees a few changes to the line-up, with pro dancers Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec having left the series. Following their departures, Strictly announced that four new professionals would be joining the show.
European cup winner Vito Coppola , Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu , former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas will all be taking to the stage.
