Strictly is the gift that just keeps on giving. As if the excitement of Movie Week, Halloween and the anticipation of Blackpool wasn’t enough, there’s also the Strictly Come Dancing Boyzone Children in Need Special and the Christmas Special to look forward to.

Strictly Children in Need 2018 line up…

So who’s taking part? Well, we’ll finally get to see new pro dancer and four-time Italian Dance Championship Winner and Italian Open Latin Show Dance Champion, Luba Mushtuk, take to the Strictly floor with a celebrity partner. Hooray. She’ll be dancing with Boyzone’s Shane Lynch as they compete against the rest of his bandmates.

Ronan Keating will be paired with Gordana Grandosek, and Keith Duffy with Nadiya Bychkova, who made it to week 2 this series with Blue’s Lee Ryan. And Mikey Graham will be partnered with Katya Jones who was eliminated in week 6 along with celebrity partner, Seann Walsh. Let’s hope Boyzone’s dance moves have improved significantly since their awkward appearance on Ireland’s The Late Late Show back in 1993. They’ve got to have, surely?

When is BBC Children in Need Special on TV?

Fortunately we don’t have to wait too long. Children in Need will air on Friday 16th November on BBC1 from 7.30pm to 10pm. It then switches over to BBC2 for 40 minutes of Junior Mastermind for BBC Children in Need, before returning to BBC1 until 12.30am. At some point early in the evening you’ll be able to enjoy the Strictly Children in Need Special hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.

Who won the 2018 BBC Children in Need Strictly Special?

The programme was pre-recorded two weeks ago, do you remember seeing Boyzone on the main Strictly show reading out the T&C’s with the lovely Claudia?

As the show was pre-recorded there is no viewer votes, the studio audience alone decides by voting after all the contestants have danced.

Unfortunately the winners have already been leaked on social media, so avoid the spoilers and tune in this Friday evening to find out which one of Boyzone will be crowned Strictly Come Dancing Children In Need champion 2018..

Do Your Thing for Children In Need

For more information on how you can raise vital funds for Children In Need and support this wonderful charity, please visit the BBC Children In Need website here

Spend the weekend with Children In Need Strictly Stars Katya & Luba

If this glimpse of Luba and Katya performing in the Strictly Children in Need Special isn’t enough to keep your Strictly pangs at bay (how could it be?), then you should do yourself a favour and book one of our Weekend Breaks with them in 2019.

Luba will be performing and teaching in our dance workshops with Giovanni at two of our Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly next year. And Katya will be also be performing and taking dance workshops with her husband, Neil Jones, at four of our Weekend Breaks.

In fact, you can see both Luba and Katya at our Weekend Break at Celtic Manor in April 2019. As well as learning to dance with them, you can also quiz them in our Q&A sessions and grab a photo of them at our Red Carpet Photo Calls throughout the weekend. Now, doesn’t that sound like the ultimate Christmas present for a Strictly fan? You do know that includes you as well?

Did you know there’s a kid’s version of Dancing with the Stars, which is aptly named Dancing with the Stars Juniors? We know, who’d have thought?

How does it differ from Strictly Come Dancing?

Not only are the celebrities children, but also the pro dancers. Plus they have an adult mentor who just so happens to be a Dancing with the Stars pro dancer. So if you ever wondered what happened to former Strictly pro dancers Artem Chigvintsev and Gleb Savchenko, then you’ll find them here coaching the juniors.

Following in the footsteps of Strictly, the couples take to the dance floor each week to perform either a Ballroom or Latin routine. But unlike the UK version, the audience vote which counts for 50% of their score is from the studio audience and not the viewing public at home.

Also unlike Strictly’s live Saturday night show, Dancing with the Stars Juniors is pre-recorded. Well, celebrity kids have busy schedules too you know and the mentoring pro dancers are also competing in their very own grown up version of the show.

Who are the hosts and who’s on the judging panel?

Frankie Muniz and Jordan Fisher are our Tess and Claudia.

Both the actors competed in season 25 of Dancing with the Stars and Jordan even won the glitter ball. As for the judging panel, Olympic figure skater, Adam Rippon, La La Land choreographer, Mandy Moore and Dancing with the Stars pro dancer, Val Chmerkovsky (who’s also won the glitter ball twice), are the show’s version of our very own Shirley, Bruno, Craig and Darcey. Except we’ve got four judges and they only have three, obviously.

Who are the celebrity kids?

• Mandla Morris – fashion designer and son of Stevie wonder
• Alana Thompson – reality TV star Honey Boo Boo
• Tripp Johnston Palin – Sarah Palin’s grandson (the clue’s in the surname)
• Ariana Greenblatt – actress who’s starred in Avengers
• Hudson West – actor who’s starred in General Hospital
• Sky Brown – professional skateboarder
• Mackenzie Ziegler – actress, singer and dancer
• Addison Osta Smith – winner of Junior MasterChef
• Miles Brown – actor who’s starred in Black-ish
• Akash Vukoti – spelling bee contestant and all round child genius
• Jason Maybaum – actor who’s starred in Freaky Friday
• Sophia Pippen – former basketball player, Scottie Pippen’s daughter

When is it on?

Unfortunately it’s not on UK TV, but you can watch all of the clips on YouTube. In fact, you can even subscribe to the Dancing with the Stars Junior YouTube Channel for free.

Just think how popular a junior version of Strictly Come Dancing would be given the growing popularity of the show among the younger audience – do you think the BBC should create Strictly Come Dancing Juniors?

Watch DWTS: Juniors opening number here

Week 3 is Disney Week

If you’re a Disney fan, you’ll absolutely adore this weeks programme – a Disney speical, so cute…

Weekend Break with the Stars of Strictly

Fancy learning a new skill like these youngsters? Then why not come along to one of our Weekend Breaks featuring the fantastic pro dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? They’ll be holding brilliant dance workshops featuring many of the dances you see on Strictly. Plus they’ll also perform amazing dance showcases which you can enjoy from your very own designated front row seats. And as if that wasn’t enough, you’ll be able to quiz the pro dancers in our fun Q&A sessions and take loads of photos in our Red Carpet Photo Calls.

What is Strictly’s Couples’ Choice?

As if things couldn’t get any more exciting in Strictly land, the TV show is rolling out its first new dance category in nine years. Say hello to the Couples’ Choice. Not since the introduction of the Charleston – or Sharl-e-ston as Giovanni likes to call it – back in series seven, has the show given the pro dancers another category to showcase their skills. Oh, and the celebs of course.

What’s the lowdown on the Couples’ Choice?

Well, the new category includes three dance styles that couples can choose from; Contemporary, Street/Commercial, and Theatre/Jazz.

With the Contemporary style we’re likely to see a nod towards Ballet, Modern and even Lyrical dance. Whereas with the Street/Commercial style we’re likely to see references to all kinds of Urban and Modern dance, including Pop and Hip Hop. The Theatre/Jazz style is pretty self explanatory and may even include Burlesque, Tap and Soft Shoe. Here’s hoping…

Which of the three dance styles will suit the couples best?

Call us sceptical but we very much doubt that the couples actually get to choose their preferred dance style. Let’s face it, that’s just not how TV works. However, if there’s the slightest chance that they do, then surely they’ll opt for a style that plays to their strengths.

With that in mind, Janette’s background in Ballet, Jazz and Hip Hop could see her take on all three dance styles with ease, but is Dr Ranj more suited to Musical Theatre and Jazz hands? And surely Pasha will embrace Ashley Roberts’ need to booty pop by opting for a Street/Commercial routine? We’ll just have to wait and see.

Who’s up first?

Lauren Steadman and AJ, and Charles Venn and Karen are the first two couples to take on the Couples’ Choice in week 5. Lauren and AJ will be showcasing a Contemporary routine to ‘Runnin’ by Naughty Boy featuring Beyoncé. Whilst Charles and Karen will be taking to the dance floor with a Street/Commercial routine to ‘Get Up Offa That Thing’ by James Brown. It’s going to be interesting to see where they end up on the leaderboard and if the viewing public like the new dance category.

What’s your Couples’ Choice?

Interested to see how the couples do in the new dance category, but still a dedicated follower of Ballroom and Latin? Then why not get to grips with Latin, Ballroom & Argentine Tango under the expert tuition of the pro dancers at our Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly in 2019? Once you’ve mastered the art of dance, you can sit back and enjoy multiple dance showcases from the expert pro dancers and get snap happy at our Red Carpet Photo Calls. Plus you can even quiz them in our fun Q&A sessions. What’s not to like?

Check out our exceptionally talented line up for 2020…

Friday 6th – Sunday 8th March 2020
4* Alton Towers Resort Hotel
Staffordshire

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the fabulous Alton Towers Resort Hotel.

Join; Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Katya & Neil Jones, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce.

Friday 27th – Sunday 29th March 2020
4* Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the impressive 4* De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor.

Join; Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Katya & Neil Jones, Giovanni Pernice & Pro Dance Partner to be announced, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce plus Argentine Tango Instructors Filippo Monici & Laura Lorenzo.

Friday 24th – Sunday 26th April 2020
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort.

Join Gorka Marquez & Karen Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Amy Dowden & Ben Jones, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce, plus Argentine Tango stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani.

By the way, you’ve only got until 31st October 2019 to take advantage of our Early Bird Booking Prices.

Updated 29th November 2019

Our round-up of 2019’s hottest Strictly inspired gifts

‘It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas…’ too early? Well, we hate to jolt you out of your happy place, but the festive season is fast approaching. Stress not, we’re about to make your Christmas shopping a whole lot easier with our Strictly Top 10 Gift Guide.

1. Strictly Come Dancing – The Board Game

Whilst ardent Strictly fans may subscribe to the belief that nothing is as good as the real McCoy, they may just waver when they unwrap this Strictly inspired game. It includes the voice of Craig Revel Horwood and the Strictly theme tune. The game is perfect for 3-6 players and suitable for age 8+ and sounds fab-u-lous, darling.
Price: £10-£29.99

2. Official Strictly Come Dancing Annual 2020

The perfect gift for the fan who likes to literally paw over images of the Strictly stars and absorb as many facts as possible about their favourite show.
Price: around £10

3. 5* Weekend Breaks with the Stars of Strictly 2020

Score maximum brownie points for the most thoughtful present, book a Short Break with the Stars of Strictly.

Enjoy a fabulous evening as Anton & Erin perform up close & personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other.

Plus, enjoy VIP access to meet Anton & Erin back-stage after their show, and learn to dance with them in our fun workshops.

4. Official Strictly Come Dancing 2020 Diary

The perfect stocking filler for any Strictly Fan looking to get organised next year. This official Strictly Come Dancing A5 diary features beautiful cover artwork. The inside is perfect for keeping organised throughout 2020 with its week to view layout inside.
Price: Around £10

5. Strictly Come Dancing DVD – Anton’s Truly Madly Strictly [2019]

The ultimate collection of the most memorable, show-stopping and hilarious moments all on one DVD – sure to make great Christmas time viewing.

Anton du Beke is the only professional dancer who has been on Strictly Come Dancing since day one! In this special feature length DVD, Anton uses his unique insight to take viewers on a tour of the show’s very best and most memorable dances.Price: Around £12.99

6. ‘I’d Rather Be Dancing With Giovanni Pernice’ Mug

Pretty self explanatory this one and ideal for Giovanni obsessives or perfect to annoy peeps who are not big fans of the Italian dancer. But that wouldn’t be in the spirit of Christmas, now would it?!
Price: around £7

7. Strictly Come Dancing Christmas Jumper

Designed to dazzle, celebrating the glitz and glamour of the flagship BBC show – and one that’s sure to be judged a perfect 10 as your shimmy your way on to the dancefloor at your festive party.

8. Strictly Come Dancing CD

40 dance-inducing songs performed by Dave Arch and his wonderful Strictly Come Dancing Band that will have any Strictly obsessive up on their feet in no time. It’s a must for any serious fan.
Price: around £4.50

9. All things Anton Du Beke

If your nearest and dearest is completely obsessed with Anton (who isn’t?), then they probably already own a smorgasbord of his merchandise. But do they have a copy of his debut CD, ‘From the Top’ his debut novel, ‘One Enchanted Evening’ or his brand new follow-up Novel, ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair’?
Price: ‘From the Top’ CD around £5 and ‘One Enchanted Evening’ & ‘Moonlight Over Mayfair’ hardback from £6.50-£12.99

10. Strictly Come Dancing Mug With Number 10 Paddle Board

For a fan that can never score lower than a ten, the Number 10 Glitter Paddle is just what they need to validate their opinion. Warning: likely to induce the overuse of Len’s catchphrase, ‘It’s a 10 from Len’.
Price: Around £12

So, you want to know how to dance with Anton Du Beke? Well, we could tell you, but then we’d have to…endure your eternal thanks. And quite frankly, we’re busy people. Those amazing Weekend Breaks with the Stars of Strictly don’t organise themselves, you know?

As you can image this sharply dressed man is in popular demand. He has 207k followers on Twitter alone, another 93.6k on Instagram and 26.5k on Facebook. To be honest, we’re surprised Anton’s as grounded as he is, but we can confirm from working with him for many years that he is charm personified.

Anyway, enough about our celebrity connections. You want to know how to dance with the master of Ballroom. Okay, we’ve given this a lot of thought and we have the answer. However, we appreciate people like choice so before we share, here are two (not necessarily) plausible ways to meet your dance floor hero.

Get on Anton’s radar

Whilst Anton loves his adoring fans, you are, to put it bluntly, just another face in the crowd. In an over-subscribed world of Anton fans you really need to make your presence known. Now we’re not just talking a big smile, an energetic wave or a coy hello, we’re talking stand out from the crowd antics. However, revealing a large tattoo of Anton’s face on your back probably isn’t the best route to take. But something that shows you mean business is surely going to impress him, right? So, come up with something creative and memorable and maybe, just maybe, you’ll get his attention. The best opportunities to make yourself known to him are at shows and book signings.

The downside: you may get arrested or worse still, be on the receiving end of a restraining order.

Become a celebrity

Now if your antics fail to pique Anton’s interest, but do attract the attention of the press, then you’re possibly halfway to becoming a celebrity. Of course you may have to embellish your back-story to make it more newsworthy and make numerous appearances on chat shows. But once you reach celebrity status you may be approached to appear on Strictly Come Dancing. Now, there’s still no guarantee that you’ll be partnered up with Anton, but if you ensure you’re one of the worst dancers then there’s a huge chance.

The downside: the public may kick you out in week 2.

Book a Donahey’s Weekend Break with the Stars of Strictly

Now if you want to keep your integrity intact (like the good man himself), booking a Donahey’s Weekend Break with the marvellous Anton Du Beke is the answer. That way you can avoid a criminal record, a restraining order and divulging details of your private life on morning telly.

You’ll enjoy a splendid weekend away at a 4* or 5* hotel where you can take an Anton and Erin dance workshop and watch an amazing Anton and Erin dance showcase from front row seats in a stunning ballroom. You’ll also be able to take more snaps of Anton than you can bore your friends with at our ‘Red Carpet Photo Calls’. Plus, you’ll get to experience this hilarious charmer’s fun personality firsthand in our Q&A sessions. And finally, there’s a HUGE chance you’ll just bump into him in the hotel. You heard us right.

The downside: there really is no downside to a Donahey’s Weekend Break with Anton Du Beke. But don’t just take our word for it, book your places now and see for yourself in 2020.

Friday 6th – Sunday 8th March 2020
4* Alton Towers Resort Hotel
Staffordshire

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the fabulous Alton Towers Resort Hotel.

Join; Aljaz Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Katya & Neil Jones, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce.

Friday 27th – Sunday 29th March 2020
4* Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the impressive 4* De Vere Beaumont Estate in Windsor.

Join; Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Katya & Neil Jones, Giovanni Pernice & Pro Dance Partner to be announced, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce plus Argentine Tango Instructors Filippo Monici & Laura Lorenzo.

Friday 24th – Sunday 26th April 2020
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing at the stunning 5* Celtic Manor Resort.

Join Gorka Marquez & Karen Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag, Amy Dowden & Ben Jones, British National & World Ballroom Champions Warren & Kristi Boyce, plus Argentine Tango stars Leandro Palou & Maria Tsiatsiani.

If you book before 31st October 2019 you can take advantage of our Early Bird Booking Prices.

Fans of the most glamorous show on TV can take their own place under the glitter ball with dance lessons from the Stars of Strictly.

Top dance school Donahey’s is ready to Ch-Cha-Cha into it’s 52nd year as it reveals its up-close-and-personal line up of exclusive, 5* immersive weekend breaks with the Strictly Come Dancing pro’s.

The perfect weekend treat for those who dream of pulling on their dancing shoes to Samba, Jive, Fox Trot or Cha-Cha-Cha with a Strictly star such as Anton Du Beke or Katya Jones, each luxurious getaway includes ballroom and Latin dance classes with the stars of the show. There are also intimate showcase performances with floor-side seating and fun Q& A sessions with the dancers as well as the chance to chat and ask questions, learn more about their journey and pick up some juicy Strictly gossip.

The dance classes with the Strictly stars are one of the weekend’s highlights with four hours of personalised tuition suitable for all levels and abilities – even those who have never danced before. “Our getaways are truly immersive experiences. Over half of our guests are total beginners but love taking lessons from the celebrity dancers, being able to chat with them, ask questions and enjoy floor-side seating for intimate showcase performances,” explains Paul Donahey, Director of Donahey’s and organiser of the fabulous events.

“The whole weekend is incredibly exclusive and, alongside the four hours of classes with the stars, there’s also additional tuition with Donahey’s professionals and three days of wonderful live music and dancing on our amazing 5,000sq ft pro championship sprung wooden dance floor – it’s one of the largest dance floors in the UK and adds to the sensation of living out your own Strictly experience with the stars of the show.”

The 2020 Donahey’s Dancing with the Stars line-up includes 2018 Strictly champion Katya Jones, Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag, Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec, Giovanni Pernice, along with fan favourites Gorka Marquez, Karen Hauer & Pasha Kovalov.

Guests will also be treated to a Saturday night Black Tie Ball starring The Tony Greenwood 15-piece Ballroom & Latin Big Band, exclusive ‘Red Carpet Strictly Photo Calls’ and a spectacular Sunday afternoon Grand-Finale dance showcase.

The immersive, luxurious weekend breaks sold out in record time last year and will take place over three weekends next spring. The first weekend, at the four-star Alton Towers Resort in Staffordshire will be held at the beginning of March. It is followed by a weekend at the impressive Beaumont Estate in Windsor in April, before a final luxurious getaway at the five star Celtic Manor Resort Hotel, Newport at the end of the month.

“The Strictly professionals make room in their own tour schedules for our weekends and enjoy meeting our guests as much as our guests enjoy their personal dance lessons and showcase performances. It’s a really unique experience and a fabulous weekend for anyone who will be glued to the new series this year.”

Find out more about Donahey’s Dancing with the Stars Weekends here

Spend the weekend with your favourite stars of BBC Strictly Come Dancing.

Enjoy 3 days of spectacular dance showcases as the stars of Strictly Come Dancing perform up close & personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other – learn to dance with them, plus hear all about their Strictly journeys.

2019 Dancing With The Stars Weekends

Friday 8th – Sunday 10th March 2019
4* Alton Towers Resort Hotel
Staffordshire

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 29th – Sunday 31st March 2019
4* Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 26th – Sunday 28th April 2019
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 14th – Sunday 16th June 2019
4* Beaumont Estate Hotel
Windsor, Berkshire

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Friday 5th – Sunday 7th July 2019
5* Celtic Manor Resort Hotel
Newport, South Wales

Join your favourite stars of Strictly Come Dancing for an unforgetable weekend break.

Locations of Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars Weekends

Donahey’s 2019 Dancing With The Stars Weekends

If you’re a fan of hit TV show BBC Strictly Come Dancing, you’ll love our

weekend breaks

– Donaheys Dance Weekends truly are inspirational.

Our Dancing with the Stars Weekends not only give you the chance to relax in amazing 4* locations, but also to enjoy spectacular performances from your favourite Strictly Come Dancing Professional dancers – all up close & personal.

You’ll see your favourite stars dancing up close & personal for a truly intimate experience unlike any other, you’ll hear all about their Strictly experiences with our fun Q&A sessions.

You could enjoy dance lessons with the stars, plus there’ll be lots of photo opportunities so you’ll have plenty of pictures to make your friends envious!

Donahey’s Dancing with the Stars Weekends have been selling out since 2004, ever since Strictly Come Dancing first waltzed onto our screens, and just like the show our dance weekends are going from strength to strength.

The Strictly stars love our dance weekends too…

‘Paul, you’re such a Superstar for organising such a fabulous event’ Anton Du Beke

‘Is it me or do Donahey’s run the best dance weekends in the country….Kevin Clifton

‘What an amazing weekend! Thank you so much for inviting us, we are so happy to be part of your beautiful event. A clear 10 from me!’ Aljaz Skorjanec

‘I know we say this every year, but this really is the best dance weekend in the UK. So well organised and so much dancing. We love working with Donahey’s, you always know you’ll get such a professionally run event. Thank you to Donahey’s for organising such wonderful events’Ian Waite

‘Our 3rd year at a Donaheys dance weekend. Thank you for letting Kevin and I be part of this fabulous event. Lots of love x’ Karen Clifton

‘Donaheys organise the number 1 dance event in the country. We really look forward to Donahey’s dance weekends; they’re so well organised, great venues and a fabulous audience. Thank you so much Paul.’Natalie Lowe

‘What a FAB-U-LOUS event to attend. A real feel good weekend, cannot wait to be back’ Janette Manrara

Strictly Come Dancing is one of the BBC`s most popular shows. Hosted by Tess Daly & Claudia Winkleman, Strictly Come Dancing becoming an overnight success in 2004 with celebrities initially hard to pull onto the show now queuing to be booked! Strictly Come Dancing is now watched in some 38 countries worldwide, with even the Emirates most recently coming on board in 2012. In the Guinness Book of World Records 2010 edition, the format of Strictly Come Dancing was named the most successful television show ever.

So if you can’t tear yourselves away from the television on a Saturday night and would love to get your dancing shoes on, then a Dancing with the Stars Weekend could be the experience of a lifetime for you. Book now to avoid disappointment, as these are popular events.

Strictly Come Dancing is well and truly BACK for 2017!

Over 9.5 million people tuned in to the launch show on Saturday night, the second biggest audience yet for an opening episode of the show. But don’t worry if you missed the show, we have all you need to know about this year’s celebrities and which professional dancer they are partnered with right here.

Dig out your sequins and scoring paddles, here are the celebrities, and their pro partners, who will be taking over your Saturday Nights.…

First to be introduced to her partner was actress and model, Gemma Atkinson who will be taking to the floor with Aljaz Skorjanec. Hoping to do her late husband and previous Strictly contestant, Paul Daniels, proud, is the lovely Debbie McGee, who was partnered with Giovanni Pernice. Holby City actress, Chizzy Akudolu, was next! Chizzy is hoping to get hearts racing with her dance partner, Pasha Kovalev – could this pairing be just what the Doctor ordered? Fulfilling her Strictly dreams is TV Presenter, Ruth Langsford, who is in the safe hands of dancing legend, Anton Du Beke.

Following the first few pairings, we got to meet new head judge, Shirley Ballas, who will be bringing 40 years dance experience to the show. Shirley has promised to be “fun, feisty, firm and fair!” We can’t wait to see how the Queen of Latin fits into the judging panel…

We were also introduced to the three new female professionals in a dramatic group dance. Joining this year’s pros are Australian Open Champion, Dianne Buswell, two-time World Champion and European Champion, Nadiya Bychkova, and finally the current British National Champion, Amy Dowden!

First of the male celebrities to be partnered up was JLS singer, Aston Merrygold, who will be bringing backflips to the ballroom with his pro partner, Janette Manrara. Also joining the cast of Strictly 2017 is Britain’s Most Famous Vicar, Reverend Richard Coles, who will be dancing with new pro, Dianne Buswell. Swapping the Square for the Samba is Eastenders Actor, Davood Ghadami who was partnered with new blonde bombshell, Nadiya Bychkova. TV presenter and Chef, Simon Rimmer, will be embracing this series with his partner, Karen Clifton, but does he have all the right ingredients to make the final?

It only feels like yesterday that Joanne Clifton and Ore Oduba were lifting the glitterball in the Strictly Come Dancing 2016 final! The incredible pair performed their sensational Jive for the final time on the 2017 launch show, before giving some wise advice to this year’s line-up, including “if you can help it, don’t cry… all the time!”

The launch show also saw an emotional tribute to Strictly Come Dancing legend, Sir Bruce Forsyth, who passed away in August. The professional dancers paid their respects with a beautiful routine to Frank Sinatra’s ‘Fly Me to the Moon.’ – not a dry eye in the house…

Newsreader, Charlotte Hawkins was then partnered with Brendan Cole and has said she is very much looking forward to being “Strictly-fied!”. Singer, Mollie King, is no stranger to Saturday’s! She will be taking on her Strictly journey with pro partner, AJ Pritchard. After confessing her love for a certain pro, comedian, Susan Calman, won the jackpot when partnered with Kevin Clifton. Susan even confessed to having a picture of Kevin on her fridge! Completing this year’s girl squad, is singer and West End star, Alexandra Burke. She is looking forward to getting started in the training room with her dance partner, Gorka Marquez.

Joining this year’s male celebs is Holby City actor, Joe McFadden, who is swapping the Doctor’s coat for sequined shirts with his pro partner, Katya Jones. Champion paralympian, Jonnie Peacock, is hoping to win gold again with the lovely Oti Mabuse. Finally, comedian and actor, Brian Conley, will be bringing laughter to the ballroom with new pro, Amy Dowden.

What do you think to these pairings? And, who shone for you in the very first group dance of 2017?

The hopeful contestants now have three weeks to perfect their first Strictly dance before the next shows, which will air on Saturday the 23rd of September.

5* Weekend Breaks with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing

Who better to teach you to dance than the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing? You can meet the stars, learn their steps and be captivated as they perform spectacular shows just for you.

Strictly Come Dancing 2017 pairings in full – Which Celebrity is dancing with which Professional Dancer

Aston Merrygold & Janette Manrara
Brian Conley & Amy Dowden
Davood Ghadami & Nadiya Bychkova
Joe McFadden & Katya Jones
Jonnie Peacock & Oti Mabuse
Reverend Richard Coles & Dianne Buswell
Simon Rimmer & Karen Clifton
Alexandra Burke & Gorka Marquez
Charlotte Hawkins & Brendan Cole
Chizzy Akudolu & Pasha Kovalev
Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice
Gemma Atkinson & Aljaž Škorjanec
Mollie King & AJ Pritchard
Ruth Langsford & Anton Du Beke
Susan Calman & Kevin Clifton