Strictly Come Dancing has returned to the small screen for its 24th series, in a new era for the show as it moves forward with a revamped presenting line up. Broadcaster Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe and former Strictly professional Johannes Radebe made their presenting debut on Saturday, taking over from long-running hosting duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who left the show last year. A fresh cohort of famous faces – including actress Melanie Walters and former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips – also stepped onto the ballroom floor for the first time.
During the launch show, it was revealed which professional dancers they were paired with. Stepping out onto the ballroom floor after a huge all-cast opening dance routine, Willis said presenting Strictly was a "genuine honour". "Josh, you've got moves," proclaimed Radebe, a former professional on the show.
While Widdicombe added that it was "a little bit overwhelming" but he was "delighted" to be there. In a first for the show, celebrity and pro pairings were revealed via three dance routines. It functioned as a musical chairs of sorts, in which the contestants switched partners until the music was paused, and a couple was announced.
Reality TV star Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin Hair stylist to the stars Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem and Kai Widdrington DJ and social media personality Cach Mercer and Maddie Ingoldsby TV and radio presenter Will Best and Dianne Buswell Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon TV and stage actress Bethany Antonia and Nancy Xu Former England footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr Presenter and author Graeme Hall and Lauren Oakley Skeleton athlete Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita TV and stage actress Melanie Walters and Aljaž Škorjanec One pair who won't need to get to know each other are reality TV star Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin. Dyer is back to compete for a second time, having withdrawn from last year's series due to a fractured ankle. I'm so, so happy," she said after the pairing, while Kuzmin added that he had "tears of joy" in his eyes.
Meanwhile, actress Bethany Antonia and professional Nancy Xu became the third two-woman couple to compete in the show. In a poignant moment, Antonia revealed that watching boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones performing together in Strictly's 2020 series was a "big part of my coming out journey". Among the other pairings were EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola, former Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon, and Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr.
Also back on the dancefloor for a final spin was reigning Strictly champion, former Lionness Karen Carney. Clad in the same diamante-encrusted football shirt, Carney recreated the Jive that first marked her out as a contender of her series, alongside dance partner Carlos Gu. "I absolutely feel like I'm at home," Carney told Willis after the routine, as she paid tribute to her pro partner.
Extract — continue reading at the source.
