Strictly stars can’t wait to get strutting

Celebrities get set to sparkle in the first live show

Strictly Dancing contestants are preparing for the first live show of the series. As some battle nerves and others face complaints of previous dance experience, here is a glimpse of what could be in store in week one. Danny John-Jules

At 58, the Red Dwarf and Death In Paradise star is this year’s oldest contestant. Susannah Constantine

Bookies make the former What Not To Wear star, partnered with Anton Du Beke, favourite to get the axe first on the TV show – although everyone will be safe until week two.

Dr Ranj Singh

Dr Ranj, partnered with Janette Manrara, says he is “terrified” of the Strictly judges.

Katie Piper

Piper has been struggling to remember her steps, saying that Strictly has made her realise her short term memory is “dreadful”.

Injuries suffered from an acid attack, including being blind in her left eye, will make dancing more difficult but “won’t hold me back”, she said.

Graeme Swann

There is one thing the former England cricketer says he will not do on Strictly. He has promised a “fight to the death” if anyone suggests waxing his chest.

Lauren Steadman

The Paralympic athlete, 25, is the youngest contestant this year year. Partnered with AJ Come Pritchard, she said the waltz was the dance she least wanted to be her first.

Faye Tozer

Steps star Tozer, who will be performing the Cha Cha Cha with Giovanni Pernice, has been criticised for having previous dance experience.

Lee Ryan

The Blue singer and exEastEnders star will be battling to put the focus on his steps in his first dance, a waltz, instead of speculation about chemistry with Nadiya Bychkova.

Charles Venn

The Casualty actor, who boasts an impressive six-pack, has been paired with Karen Clifton and the couple are dancing the Cha Cha Cha on Saturday.

Seann Walsh

The comic, performing the Tango, is partnered up with Katya Jones.

Kate Silverton

Unlike some of the names in this year’s lineup, Silverton, who has been partnered with Aljaz Skorjanek, will perform the Cha Cha Cha as her first dance.

Ashley Roberts

Like Tozer, Roberts has previous dance experience as one of the Pussycat Dolls and will perform the Viennese Waltz with Pasha Kovalev.

Stacey Dooley

TV presenter and journalist Stacey Dooley has one powerful motivation – she really does not want to be first to get the boot.

Vick Hope

Despite being a lesserknown name when it was revealed she had joined the show, Capital FM DJ Hope is now a favourite to win.

Joe Sugg

YouTube star, Sugg is unknown to many Strictly viewers, sparking complaints about a lack of big names on the series.