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The nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to kick off on September 18th, followed by the first live show on the 25th.
And ahead of the BBC series’ exciting launch, the Strictly pro dancers posed for dazzling group shots as they geared up to put this year’s batch of celebrities through their paces.
The dancers looked stunning as they donned their most glittering, glamorous ensembles and pulled off their best poses for the snap taken in Elstree Studios.
Wow! Ahead of the BBC series’ exciting launch, the Strictly pro dancers posed for dazzling group shots as they geared up to put this year’s batch of celebrities through their paces
The group appeared ready and raring to go as they excitedly posed for the professional pictures all together, before splitting off into groups of girls and boys.
Among the pros returning for the new series are reigning champion Oti Mabuse, who looked fabulous in a zebra-print, tasseled number.
While the likes of Diane Buswell, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk cut effortlessly glam figures in the snap.
Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima showed off his muscular physique in a sheer shirt as he posed alongside other returning male pros including Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez and Johannes Radebe.
Golden girls: Among the pros returning for the new series are reigning champion Oti Mabuse, who looked fabulous in a zebra-print, tasseled number as she posed with the likes of likes of Diane Buswell, Karen Hauer and Katya Jones
Other popular faces also included in the snap are Aljaž Škorjanec, Amy Dowden, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu and Neil Jones.
Meanwhile, fans will notice some new faces in the midst, with professionals Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington and Nikita Kuzmin joining the line-up this year.
One person missing from the line-up is of course Anton Du Beke, who this year has swapped his dance shoes for a stint behind the judges desk as Bruno Tonioli’s replacement.
The 55-year-old professional dancer, who filled in as a judge for a two-week stint during the 2020 series, will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas full-time for the forthcoming series of the BBC One show.
Here come the boys: Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima showed off his muscular physique in a sheer shirt as he posed alongside other returning male pros including Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez and Johannes Radebe
He will take over from Bruno, who remains unable to take part due to travel uncertainty caused by the pandemic.
Elsewhere, rugby Union ace Ugo Monye was confirmed as the 15th and final contestant for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing, completing the star-studded line-up which includes Tom Fletcher, Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn, Tilly Ramsay and EastEnders’ Nina Wadia.
The veteran dance show was famously disrupted in 2020 thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
New kids in town: Meanwhile, fans will notice some new faces in the midst, with professionals Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington and Nikita Kuzmin joining the line-up this year (pictured centre last month)
New role: One person missing from the line-up is of course Anton Du Beke (left), who this year has swapped his dance shoes for a stint behind the judges desk as Bruno Tonioli’s replacement (right pictured in 2021)
But it seems things are back to normal in 2021 – apart from one or two factors still deemed too tricky to navigate amid the global health crisis.
The Blackpool episode ordinarily takes place near the end of the series, but was axed last year with restrictions throwing up logistical difficulties on the production.
But 2021 will include the show’s themed weeks – such as movie week, musicals week and Halloween week.
The judges: The 55-year-old professional dancer will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas full-time for the forthcoming series of the BBC One show
Here they are! The 2021 star-studded celebrity line-up includes Tom Fletcher, Ugo Monye , Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn, Tilly Ramsay and EastEnders’ Nina Wadia
Last year, these were scrapped, proving too complicated to manage amid the pandemic. The show’s Christmas special will also be back, with the show set to start in its usual early-autumn time slot, rather than in October, like last year.
The full 15 celebrities will be taking part again, having cut to 12 last series.
It comes as Strictly Come Dancing bosses have reportedly put a kissing ban on contestants in a bid to stop Covid causing havoc again for the new series.
Producers are said to have told this year’s stars ‘one snog and you’re out’ after last series celebs Maisie Smith and HRVY allegedly broke social distancing rules because of a brief romance.
Ban: Strictly bosses have reportedly put a kissing ban on contestants in a bid to stop Covid causing havoc again for the new series (pictured exes Katie McGlyyn and Giovanni Pernice)
BBC are desperate to avoid the chaos coronavirus brought last year, which saw boxer Nicola Adams and her professional dance partner Katya Jones withdraw from the competition following a positive test, and HRVY nearly not taking part.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Although the pandemic has eased since last year’s series, the BBC aren’t taking any chances.
‘This kissing ban is likely to be part of a package of measures introduced by producers to make the show as safe as possible.
‘They want to minimise the risk of any bombshells, particularly as a studio audience is being brought back into the studio this year.’
MailOnline has contacted BBC for comment.
Measures: Producers are said to have told this year’s stars ‘one snog and you’re out’ Maisie Smith and HRVY broke social distancing rules (Maisie pictured with Gorka Marquez’
Pandemic: Last month, the new series was thrown into chaos when professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova tested positive for coronavirus
Last month, professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova tested positive for coronavirus.
Ukrainian-Slovenian dancer Nadiya, 31, contracted the virus during the first week of filming, meaning many of the cast and crew had to isolate for 10 days, according to The Sun.
The Strictly insider added the Covid scare has heightened fear among bosses that other dancers and celebrities could test positive when the rehearsals start later this month.
The source said the BBC could put ‘yet more measures and precautions in place’ for the cast’s safety and to ensure the show goes ahead without a hitch.
Tough: Last series Boxer Nicola Adams and her dance partner Katya Jones were forced to withdraw from the competition after Katya tested positive for coronavirus
STRICTLY COME DANCING 2021: WHO ARE THE CONTESTANTS?
TOM FLETCHER
Age: 36
Profession: McFly musician
Tom says: ‘I’m so pleased the news is out it’s been so hard keeping it secret. Equal parts excited and terrified.’
Fun fact: Tom’s McFly bandmate Harry Judd won Strictly Come Dancing in 2011. Tom’s wife Giovanna Fletcher is the reigning champion of I’m A Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here!
ROBERT WEBB
Age: 48
Profession: Actor and comedian
Robert says: ‘It’s very exciting but with a slight undertone of quivering terror.’
Fun Fact: Robert squeezed into a shiny leotard to take the title of Let’s Dance For Comic Relief in 2009, performing What A Feeling from ’80s film Flashdance, beating the likes of Keith Lemon and Paddy McGuinness to the title.
RHYS STEPHENSON
Age: 27
Profession: CBBC presenter
Rhys says: ‘I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation’
Fun fact: Rhys has been an actor since the age of ten, performing alongside Matt Smith and Hugh Bonneville.
KATIE MCGLYNN
Age: 28
Profession: Actress
Katie says: ‘I’m really not a dancer, but I’m so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way.’
Fun fact: Katie, who played Sinead Tinker in Corrie, won a NTA for Best Serial Drama Performance in 2020.
TILLY RAMSAY
Age: 19
Profession: CBBC presenter
Tilly says: ’I’m going to put my heart and soul into this and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!’
Fun fact: Tilly’s father is celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and the pair often star in dancing TikTok videos.
NINA WADIA
Age: 52
Profession: Actress
Nina says: ‘I think I should do this before I’m too old and can’t walk anymore. I just want to grab life by the horns and just enjoy it.’
Fun fact: Nina is a JDRF Ambassador and was awarded an OBE in the 2021 New Year’s Honours List.
ADAM PEATY
Age: 26
Profession: Athlete
Adam says: ‘I’m really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool.’
Fun fact: Adam becoming the first British swimmer to defend an Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.
UGO MONYE
Age: 38
Profession: Rugby player and sports pundit
Ugo says: ‘What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can’t wait to show everyone I’ve got more than just dad dancing moves.
Fun fact: Beginning his rugby career at Harlequins in 2002, Ugo went on to make 241 appearances for the club where he scored 89 tries, won a Premiership and made his England debut in 2008.
AJ ODUDU
Age: 33
Profession: TV presenter
AJ says: ‘I think it’s going to be really challenging. I can’t wait for the sequins, the wigs, the glitz and the glamour.’
Fun Fact: AJ has appeared as a panelist on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two in the past, too.
JOHN WHAITE
Age: 33
Profession: Great British Bake Off Winner and TV chef
John says: ‘I’m so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family… I’ve been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can’t wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth’
Fun Fact: John is set tp be part of the first ever all-male partnering – the first in 17 years of the show
SARA DAVIES
Age: 37
Profession: Businesswoman
Sara says: ‘I’m really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance… Truth be told – I haven’t got a clue! I’ve not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little.’
Fun fact: Sara was the youngest ever dragon on BBC show Dragons’ Den.
DAN WALKER
Age: 44
Profession: Journalist
Dan says: ‘I’m enjoying the experience when it starts of learning to dance. I’ll be honest I’m not making room on any shelves in my house for the glitterball.’
Fun fact: Dan recently quit Football Focus after 12 years at the helm and has been covering Tokyo Olympics.
GREG WISE
Age: 55
Profession: Actor
Greg says: ‘It’s about being out there and exposing yourself as someone who can’t dance, and learning.’
Fun fact: Greg is married to the actress Emma Thompson who he met while filming Sense and Sensibility.
ROSE AYLING-ELLIS
Age: 30
Profession: Actress
Rose says: ‘I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill.’
Fun fact: Rose will make history as Strictly’s first deaf contestant.
JUDI LOVE
Age: 41
Profession: Comedienne
Judi says: ‘I’m truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it’s actually coming true!’
Fun fact: Judi began comedy when she performed a set in front of her class for a degree module.
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