The glitzy launch of STRICTLY Come Dancing on BBC One on Saturday night finally confirmed this year’s celebrity contestants and their professional partners.
The dancers will be strutting their stuff live for the first time next weekend.
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JB Gill and Amy Dowden were paired together on StrictlyCredit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
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All 15 star hopefuls for the new issue of Radio Times have told what it means to them to take part in the series
And while there will be no eviction then, they will be desperate to impress the judges.
Building rapport in the rehearsal room will be key to any couple’s success.
All 15 star hopefuls for the new issue of Radio Times have told what it means to them to take part in the series.
JLS star JB revealed: “My wife said, ‘I think they want you to be with Amy’. I really hoped to get it.
“I’ve already met Amy and she’s lovely. I knew I would be in good hands.”
NICK KNOWLES AND LUBA MUSHTUK
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Nick Knowles with professional partner Luba Mushtuk Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
TV presenter Nick said: “People know I ride a motorbike. I play rugby.
“The guys came up to me and wanted to drink a pint. I want people to see me and decide to take a dance class. Dance is an amazing bonding thing.”
SARAH HADLAND AND VITO COPPOLA
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Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola to pair up for performance Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
ACTRESS Sarah said: “The contestants have a chemistry meeting.
“The moment I started dancing with Vita, I thought, ‘If it’s not him, I don’t know what I’m going to do.'”
CHRIS McCAUSLAND AND DIANNE BUSWELL
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Chris McCausland, pictured with Dianne Buswell, said: ‘I need Dianne to be good with her descriptions’Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
BLIND comedian Chris said: “I need Dianne to be good with her descriptions.
‘Chemistry is terrible!’ say Strictly Fans as they support the soap star and professional dancer to WIN the show
“One time she just lifted my leg and put it where she wanted.”
SAM QUEK AND NIKITA KUZMIN
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Sam Quek and sports expert Nikita Kuzmin will compete together Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
NIKITA, the dance partner of this sports expert, said: “We talked about going into every dance with an open mind.
“There are things you will disagree on.”
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Punam Krishnan and Gorka Marquez are paired Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
DANCE pro Gorka said about his TV documentary partner: “Some days . . . Punam will ask himself: ‘Why am I doing this?’
“But it will make sense in the long run.” She has potential.”
TOM DEAN AND NADIYA BYCHKOVA
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Nadiya Bychkova, pictured with Tom Dean, said: ‘It’s great to work with someone who is committed’ Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
EXPERT Nadiya said of swimmer Tom: “It’s great to work with someone who is dedicated.
“We’re going to work one day at a time to make sure his ankles, knees and feet are ready. Tom’s feet are tender. They need to be a little tighter.”
TASHA GHOURI AND ALJAZ ŠKORJANEC
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Love Islander Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec Credits: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
LOVE Islander Tasha, the first deaf contestant of the reality show, said: “I learned commercial dance, which is the opposite of ballroom.
“I have never danced with a partner before.
“And I haven’t danced at all in the last three or four years.”
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Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal will compete together for the trophy Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
PRO dance star Jowita said: “He’s not afraid to try things, listen to me and get into that fairy tale dance.
“He is hardworking. I just need to shape it. We’re going to make Patrick Swayze out of him!”
PAUL MERSON AND KAREN HAUER
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Former soccer ace Paul Merson is paired with professional partner Karen HauerCredit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
FORMER football ace Paul said: “When I play football with my little one in the garden, I want to win.
“But I only danced three times. When I danced with Karen and we clapped, I clapped ahead of time.”
MONTELL DOUGLAS AND JOHANNES RADEBE
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Gladiator star Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
GLADIATORS star Montell said: “I’m really tall, so I’ve never been confident enough to wear heels.
“When Johannes said he wanted an extra inch on my heel, I said, ‘Whatever Jojo says. Who needs ankles?'”
WYNNE EVANS AND KATYA JONES
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Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
GREETINGS Go Compare opera singer Wynne, professional Katya said: “The hardest part is teaching someone music. That box is checked.
“He’s got personality, he’s funny. He’s got arms and legs.”
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Toyah Wilcox and Neil Jones will take to the floor together Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
STAR dancer Neil said of the singer and actress: “When we walked in I saw Toyah going through the routine by herself, practicing every step.
“I thought, ‘She’s a hard worker.'”
SHAYNE WARD AND NANCY XU
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X Factor winner Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
X FACTOR winner Shayne said: “We both love the Minions cartoon. It’s our little language between us.
“If you’re stressed, it sizzles. . . Honestly and humbly, I’m here to win.
“I’m ready to see what my body can do.”
JAMIE BORTHWICK AND MICHELLE TSIAKKAS
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EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas Credit: Yoshitaka Kono/@yoshitakakono /©Radio Times
EASTENDERS star Jamie said: “I went to Sylvia Young Theater School.
“Everyone thinks I can dance because I had a bunch of lessons there. But I admit I wasn’t paying attention.”
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Source: HIS Education