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The launch date for Strictly Come Dancing has been confirmed to be just days away, with the first show set to air on BBC One on Saturday 14 September.
The first concert will take place the following week, on September 21st.
With just a week until the pros and celebrities take to the screen, Dianne Buswell led the stars heading to Elstree Studios on Wednesday for last-minute rehearsals.
The red-headed ballroom dancer, 35, looked like she meant business as she left her London hotel in a pair of jeans and a tight black top.
She completed her look with a brown leather bag and slung a black, neon pink and red jacket over her arm.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell, 35, looked sensational as she headed to filming at Elstree Studios on Wednesday after the show’s launch date was confirmed.
Also spotted entering the studios was Coronation Street singer-turned-actor Shayne Ward, 39, looking ready for a workout in a blue T-shirt and matching tracksuit bottoms.
Also seen entering was Coronation Street singer and actor Shayne Ward.
The 39-year-old amateur dancer looked ready for a workout in a blue tank top, matching sweatpants and carrying a kit bag.
She pulled her curly brown hair back with a headband and added a mint green cardigan to her casual look as she gave a thumbs up to fans outside.
Pete Wicks cut a casual figure as he joined his fellow contestants for a day of rehearsals and filming.
The former TOWIE star, 36, wore a pair of paint-splattered grey trousers and a white T-shirt underneath a ripped black leather jacket.
She covered her eyes with a pair of brown sunglasses as she carried a silver suitcase and a black and grey duffel bag out of the London hotel.
Toya Wilcox, 66, was dressed all in black with a neon pink jacket tied around her waist as she was spotted getting out of a car.
The presenter went without makeup to greet the stars before the competition.
Dr. Punam Krishan was all smiles as she stepped out in a pair of black leggings and an oversized T-shirt underneath a light denim jacket.
The TV presenter and GP carried a large cream-coloured handbag over her shoulder as she joined her cast mates.
Pete Wicks, 36, donned a pair of paint-splattered grey trousers and a white T-shirt under a ripped black leather jacket as he carried two bags outside his London hotel.
Toya Wilcox, 66, appeared makeup-free in her all-black outfit with a neon pink jacket tied around her waist as she was seen exiting a car.
Dr. Punam Krishan was all smiles as she stepped out in a pair of black leggings and an oversized T-shirt underneath a light denim jacket.
Aljaž Škorjanec looked cheerful as he arrived in a Paris Olympics T-shirt, giving a thumbs-up to photographers as he headed to the car still wearing his white hotel slippers.
Nancy Xu looked chic in an oversized blue utility jacket and cream pants as she clutched a cup of coffee and her phone as she made her way toward the contestants.
Meanwhile, Aljaž Škorjanec looked cheerful as he arrived in a Paris Olympics T-shirt, giving photographers a thumbs-up as he headed to his car still wearing his white hotel slippers.
The BBC’s flagship show has been plagued for months by allegations of bullying and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima towards their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
The BBC has launched an investigation into allegations made about Giovanni by former contestant Amanda, the results of which have not yet been made public. Pernice denies the allegations.
His fellow dancer Graziano also left the show.
As a result, this year’s featured professionals include last year’s winner Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin.
Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas complete the lineup.
Amy Dowden is set to return to the show after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, when she found a lump the day before her honeymoon and missed out on the chance to have a celebrity partner on that year’s series of Strictly.
The 34-year-old actress announced in February that she would return to the show this year, after a mastectomy and chemotherapy left her with “no evidence of disease” according to tests.
The launch show for Strictly’s 20th anniversary series will see dancers perform an “empowering” routine to celebrate Amy’s return, and will also see its celebrity contestants paired with their dance partners.
The Strictly launch show will air on Saturday 14 September at 7.20pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
STRICTLY 2024 LINEUP
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: “If anyone is thinking, ‘How the hell is he going to do that?’ rest assured, I’m thinking exactly the same thing.”
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: unknown
Profession: Family doctor and announcer
Punam says: ‘I’ve watched Strictly every year and it feels even more special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe it’s me who’s going to be on Strictly.’
Willcox Toy Store
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: “I’m so excited and I love this show. Being a part of it, the spray tan and the glow. It’s a landmark year for me. I came in as a retiree, went to Glasto and now I’m spray tanning.”
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: “Dancing live in front of the whole country every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.”
Shayne Neighborhood
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live television, but dancing Latin and ballroom in front of millions of people is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal-winning swimmer
Tom says: “I can now officially talk about how excited I am to embark on something new, meet brilliant people and start dancing.”
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says, ‘I’m going for it. I’m going to give it 100 percent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: “A lot of ballroom dance styles are very foreign to me. I didn’t do those dances as a kid. I’m not a professional dancer.”
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The things that make me nervous are the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I get nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little, it’s a Ghouri family favourite so this is totally a dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I’m particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a blast making the Christmas special, so when I was asked to take part, the easiest answer was ‘yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former Great Britain hockey player and presenter
Sam says: “I’m so relieved that it’s out now. I’ve found it hard to keep a secret! Rumours were spreading and I had to lie. I’m used to dancing on a girls’ night out but I’m going to give it my all.”
Pablo Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry until it starts, but when it does start I’ll be nervous. I’ve only danced three times in my life!’
