Strictly Come Dancing 2023 is right here, with all the celebs paired up with their respective professional dancers.
The actuality competitors collection returned to our screens on 16 September, with a launch present by which the superstar contestants learnt which skilled dancers they’d be coupled up with.
Meet your Strictly Come Dancing {couples} under…
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice – QUIT
Sherlock star Amanda Abbington is competing with Giovanni Pernice. You possibly can discover out extra about her right here.
Abbington, 51, has appeared on stage and display screen for a few years, however is finest identified for enjoying Mary Watson within the BBC adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s tales. She was beforehand married to Martin Freeman, who performed her on-screen husband John Watson.
Italian dancer Pernice, 33, joined the solid of Strictly Come Dancing in 2015 and received with Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021. Final yr, he was the second dancer to go away the competitors with Richie Anderson.
On dancing with Pernice, Abbington advised Claudia Winkleman: “I’m ecstatic! We get on rather well, similar sense of humour, and [are] devoted to working arduous.”
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima – ELIMINATED
Love Island star and documentary host Zara McDermott is dancing with Graziano Di Prima. You possibly can discover out extra about her right here.
McDermott, 26, rose to fame on the ITV2 courting present, however has since branched out into presenting documentaries. She is the primary Love Island star to go on Strictly.
Hailing from Italy, Di Prima, 29, joined Strictly in 2018, dancing with Vick Hope. He went with out a associate for 2 years earlier than competing once more in 2021, inserting sixth final yr with Kym Marsh.
In the course of the Strictly launch present, McDermott mentioned that she was “in all probability probably the most nervous I’ve been in my life”, including: “I’m not a pure born performer or extrovert, so that is the most important problem of my life!”
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Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał – ELIMINATED
Paralympian Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał had been competing collectively. You possibly can discover out extra about him right here.
Cundy, 44, is a champion athlete who has represented Nice Britain at seven Summer season Paralympics. He’s received a complete of eight gold, one silver and three bronze medals throughout swimming and biking occasions.
2023 was solely Przystał’s second collection on Strictly, however the 29-year-old dancer received off to a formidable begin in 2022 after lifting the Glitterball Trophy with wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin.
Studying she was dancing with Cundy, she mentioned: “I must admit I’m really a bit nervous as a result of I don’t wish to let him down, however I’ve a variety of concepts.”
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Channel 4 Information presenter Krishnan Guru-Murthy is dancing with Lauren Oakley. You possibly can discover out extra about him right here.
Guru-Murthy, 53, has introduced at Channel 4 Information for 25 years and is thought for his unrelenting interview type.
Oakley, in the meantime, is a newcomer and is competing on her first collection of Strictly.
Guru-Murthy praised the “sensible” pairing, with Oakley, 32, including: “It is perhaps the primary time that I’m partnered with any person, however I do know it’s an enormous ask for the celebrities to go on the market and dance. So I feel I should be sort and provide you with confidence to have enjoyable, however when it’s time to be strict I understand how to be strict, don’t fear about that!”
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Legendary newsreader Angela Rippon is dancing with Kai Widdrington. You possibly can discover out extra about her right here.
Aged 78, Rippon is the oldest superstar to participate in Strictly within the present’s historical past. She has a particular connection to the collection, having beforehand introduced the BBC’s long-running ballroom collection Come Dancing that offers Strictly its identify.
Widdrington, 28, rose to fame on Britain’s Acquired Expertise earlier than becoming a member of Strictly in 2021. He reached the ultimate with AJ Odudu in his first yr, however was first out with Kaye Adams in 2022.
“Once I noticed it was Kai I couldn’t have been happier I promise you,” Rippon mentioned of her associate, with Widdrington including: “I’m completely delighted to have Angela, I feel we’re going to be fabulous.”
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Musical theatre star Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin are in the one same-sex partnership of the collection. You possibly can discover out extra about Williams right here.
Williams, 29, was simply 12 when he kicked off his skilled profession because the lead in Billy Elliot within the West Finish. To musical theatre followers, he’s finest identified now for enjoying teen drag queen Jamie New within the musical Everyone’s Speaking About Jamie from 2019 to 2022, however TV viewers will recognise him from the Jack Whitehall comedy Dangerous Schooling.
Ukrainian dancer Kuzmin, 25, joined Strictly in 2021 and has danced with Tilly Ramsay and Ellie Simmonds.
Discussing Williams’s earlier dance expertise, Kuzmin mentioned: “Ballroom and Latin are fully totally different to something Layton has achieved to this point, the method, posture and particularly to co-ordination is totally totally different. He has lots to study and I can’t wait to show him.”
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Former EastEnders actor Nigel Harman is dancing with Katya Jones. You possibly can discover out extra about him right here.
Harman, 50, is finest identified for enjoying “unhealthy boy” Dennis Rickman on the BBC cleaning soap from 2003 to 2005. He has additionally had a profession in musical theatre, having appeared within the authentic Mamma Mia! solid and received an Olivier Award for his function as Lord Farquaad in Shrek the Musical.
His associate Jones, 34, has appeared on Strictly for seven collection, throughout which she competed within the present’s first same-sex couple with Nicola Adams.
Listening to about Jones’s “strict” instructing type, Harman mentioned: “Everybody retains telling me this and each time they inform me this I get increasingly terrified, however I’m pretending I’m actually calm about it.”
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell
EastEnders star Bobby Brazier is dancing with Dianne Buswell. You possibly can discover out extra about him right here.
The son of the late Jade Goody and presenter Jeff Brazier, 20-year-old Brazier will be seen taking part in Freddie Slater in EastEnders. He started his profession as a mannequin, having been scouted when he was simply 16, and has walked for Dolce & Gabbana in Milan.
Buswell, his associate, is an Australian dancer who joined the present in 2018. The 34-year-old reached the ultimate with Joe Sugg in 2018, and the pair have dated since.
Brazier mentioned he was “so happy” along with his associate, with Buswell including: “I’m so glad I’ve already adopted Bobby as my little brother, and I already care a lot about him. I simply need him to have the very best time ever.”
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer – ELIMINATED
Comic Eddie Kadi was in a pair with Karen Hauer. You possibly can discover out extra about him right here.
Born within the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kadi and his household moved to London when he was eight. He received into stand-up at college and in 2010 was the primary Black British comic to headline the O2 Area.
Hauer, 41, is Strictly’s longest serving professional dancer, having joined the present in 2012. Regardless of this, she has by no means received the competitors, however reached the ultimate with Jamie Laing in 2020.
Kadi, 40, in contrast Hauer to “Kryptonite”, saying: “She’s received a sound, ‘ta ta’, whenever you get one thing slightly bit flawed. ‘Ta ta’. I’m like, oh my God, I’ve received to get used to ‘ta ta’.”
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Former tennis participant Annabel Croft is competing with Johannes Radebe. You possibly can discover out extra about her right here.
On the age of 15, Croft grew to become the youngest participant to compete at Wimbledon for 95 years. She retired aged 21 and moved into broadcasting, and has mentioned she hopes Strictly will let her “discover some pleasure” following the demise of her husband earlier this yr.
Radebe, 36, competed on Strictly for the primary time in 2019, and got here second place in 2021 with John Whaite within the present’s first ever male same-sex pairing. In latest interviews, Whaite has admitted that he “fell in love” along with his associate through the competitors.
Croft, 57, was overjoyed to be coupled up with Radebe, saying: “I’ve received the very best associate I may presumably have wished for. Truthfully he’s so particular, you actually are so particular. It’s such an honour and a privilege to be dancing with you, thanks.”
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Coronation Avenue star Ellie Leach is dancing with Vito Coppola. You possibly can discover out extra about her right here.
Leach, 22, is thought to most for her 12-year stint as Faye Windass on the ITV cleaning soap. She started when she was simply 9 and left the present in Might.
Coppola, 30, competed on Strictly for the primary time in 2022, the place he reached the ultimate with Fleur East.
Leach mentioned: “I’m over the moon that Vito is my associate. Truthfully, I’m so excited! I feel we’re going to have a lot enjoyable.”
Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk
Actor Adam Thomas is dancing with Luba Mushtuk. You possibly can discover out extra about him right here.
The brother of Love Island star Scott Thomas and Corrie’s Ryan Thomas, Thomas, 35, is finest identified to most for his roles on Waterloo Street and Emmerdale.
That is Mushtuk’s sixth yr on Strictly, however solely her third with a associate. She competed in 2019 and 2020, when she was first out and got here eleventh respectively. Within the years since, Mushtuk, 33, has not had a associate.
Studying who his associate was, Thomas mentioned: “I’m loving life… what’s to not love? I’m on Strictly Come Dancing and I’ve received this Russian princess! I’m buzzing, completely over the moon.”
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
TV presenter Angela Scanlon is competing with Carlos Gu. You possibly can discover out extra about her right here.
Scanlon is thought to BBC viewers because the host of Your Dwelling Made Excellent and spin-off Your Backyard Made Excellent. Again dwelling in Eire, the 39-year-old can nonetheless be seen on display screen in her in style RTÉ chat present Ask Me Something.
Chinese language nationwide dance champion Gu, 39, joined Strictly in 2022, the place he reached the ultimate with Molly Rainford.
Gu appeared optimistic about his new partnership, telling Winkleman: “I’ve made a greater plan and we’re going for the Glitter Ball… We’ll do it one step at a time, no rush.”
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu – ELIMINATED
Entertainer Les Dennis was paired with Nancy Xu. You possibly can discover out extra about him right here.
An all-round entertainer, Dennis, 69, rose to fame as a comic earlier than branching out into presenting. To most, he’s finest referred to as the host of Household Fortunes, however has additionally appeared in numerous musicals within the West Finish.
Chinese language dancer Xu competed on her first collection in 2021 and has positioned fourth and fifth in her two earlier competitions.
After he was the final couple to be introduced, Dennis mentioned of Xu, 32: “I’m so glad… as quickly as I met Nancy I knew I may study from her, she is a good instructor and he or she is so enthusiastic.”
They had been eradicated first on Sunday 1 October.
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez – ELIMINATED
Radio presenter Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez danced collectively. You possibly can discover out extra about her right here.
Hailing from Birmingham, Kanda, 28, hosts the BBC Asian Community’s breakfast present. The DJ has additionally had roles in West Finish productions of The Wiz, Bugsy Malone, Annie and Pocahontas.
That is Spanish dancer Márquez’s seventh yr on Strictly. The 33-year-old has come second twice: with Alexandra Burke in 2017, and Helen Skelton final yr.
Requested about her dancing expertise by Winkleman, Kanda mentioned: “I’m a celebration animal however on the subject of choreography, that’s what I’m right here to study… I must study some new expertise, I’m similar to one arm up within the air.”
They had been eradicated second on Sunday 8 October.
Strictly Come Dancing airs each Saturday on BBC One.