Let’s get ready to rumba!
New Strictly stars officially line up for first time
IN a riot of frills, sparkle and swagger, the new Strictly Come Dancing line-up bursts on to the stage, introducing themselves in a glittering preview.
The BBC show is reeling from the loss of ex-host Sir Bruce Forsyth, who died this month, aged 89, and will pay a heartfelt tribute in the opening show.
But at the preview in London, they honoured Brucie by making it a fun-filled spectacular. Actress Gemma Atkinson, 32, was in high spirits, hitching a ride on the back of comedian Brian Conley, 56.
And Debbie McGee, 58, was having a magic time with comic Susan Calman, 42, and JLS idol Aston Merrygold, 29.
On the show, they will be up against actors Davood Ghadami, 35, and Joe McFadden, 41, as well as chef Simon Rimmer, 54, and TV presenters Charlotte Hawkins, 42, and Ruth Langsford, 57. But they might not have a prayer against Reverend Richard Coles, 55, Paralympian Jonnie Peacock, 24, singer Alexandra Burke, 29, actress Chizzy Akudolu, 43, and The Saturdays star Mollie King, 30.
They all face new judge Shirley Ballas, who joins Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood, while Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are hosts.
The series starts on BBC One on September 9. Boss Louise Rainbow said: “We will be paying tribute to Sir Bruce. We all want to celebrate him and all that he loved about the show.”