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The highly anticipated 21st season of Strictly Come Dancing has commenced, unveiling the celebrity and professional dancer pairings for the weeks ahead.
Businessman and former Apprentice contestant Thomas Skinner, a figure of considerable media interest since his participation was announced, will partner with Amy Dowden, who returns to the program after a hiatus due to a cancer diagnosis.
Other notable pairings include reality television personality Vicky Pattison with Kai Widdrington, esteemed actress Alex Kingston with Johannes Radebe, and EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal with Julian Caillon.
The competition for the coveted Glitterball trophy is officially underway, culminating in the grand final on December 20.
Saturday’s launch show featured performances from the reigning champions, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, as well as a musical set by Jessie J, who is promoting her new single, “Living My Best Life.”
McCausland and Buswell revisited their waltz to “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” a performance recognized as the most memorable moment at the 2025 BAFTAs.
Reflecting on his victory in 2024, McCausland remarked that it was “the proudest I’ve ever been of anything in my life.”
Jessie J’s performance marked a significant return to the spotlight, months after disclosing her breast cancer diagnosis.
Prior to the show, she shared a photo with Amy Dowden, who had previously withdrawn from Strictly following her own cancer diagnosis.
Addressing the audience, Jessie J inquired, “Strictly, are you ready to dance?”
A notable change to this year’s program is the transition from phone voting to a fully online system.
The BBC justified the decision by stating that premium-rate phone voting “is now an outdated system and also expensive to run.”
Ahead of the show Thomas Skinner was involved in an incident which saw him leave a news conference early, and pick up a journalist’s phone – something which he apologised for.
The Apprentice star Skinner said he was “over the moon” to be partnered with Dowden and added: “I hope you can teach me a few moves because I’m useless at the minute.”
Vicky Pattison said she was “thrilled” to be paired with Kai Widdrington.
Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston was revealed to be the partner of Johannes Radebe, who she described as her “number one”.
EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal said being on Strictly was a “dream come true” before it was revealed she had been partnered with Australian dancer Julian Caillon.
Former England rugby union captain Chris Robshaw said he watched clips of Nadiya Bychkova after he learned they would be dance partners.
Model Ellie Goldstein, who is the first person with Down’s syndrome to compete on the main series of Strictly, was revealed to be partnered with Vito Coppola – with the pair showing off a “secret handshake” during the launch show.
Internet star George Clarke was paired with US dancer Alexis Warr who said she wanted Clarke to “embody this show” and “enjoy it”.
Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey was revealed to be partnered with Karen Hauer, who said their first dance would be a cha cha cha to Salt-N-Pepa’s Push It.
Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen said she was “honestly so happy” after it was revealed she would be dancing with Nikita Kuzmin.
Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink looked pleased when he met his dance partner Lauren Oakley for the first time.
Former Lioness Karen Carney was revealed to be partnered with Carlos Gu on the show.
Singer and drag performer La Voix joked “that’s the one I said I didn’t want” when they met their dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec for the first time.
Former Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope said he was “over the moon” to be paired with professional dance Katya Jones.
ITV entertainment reporter Ross King told his dance partner Jowita Przystal “you drew the short straw” when it was revealed they would be dancing together on Saturday.
Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis was partnered with Dianne Buswell, who referred to their partnership as the “Aussie dream team”.
Amy Dowden says she “didn’t know what she would wake up with” after having a double mastectomy.
The football pundit and former Birmingham City Women’s player is in Strictly Come Dancing 2025.
LA-based showbiz presenter Ross King says he wants to get some Scottish elements into his dance routines.
This year’s Strictly contestants spill the beans on the backstage gossip ahead of the show’s launch.
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