The 15 celebrity-pro couples for this year’s Strictly Come Dancing have been revealed.
The new crop of stars discovered which professional dancer they would be paired with during their time in the competition during Saturday night’s special launch show.
After three years on the subs bench, Neil Jones received his first partner in the form of former England football player Alex Scott.
Fellow pros Johannes Radebe and Luba Mushtuk also were paired up for the first time after joining the show last year, looking after Coronation Street star Catherine Tyldesley and former Olympian James Cracknell respectively.
Here are all the Strictly 2019 couples…
- David James and Nadiya Bychkova
- James Cracknell and Luba Mushtuk
- Will Bayley and Janette Manrara
- Dev Griffin and Dianne Buswell
- Mike Bushell and Katya Jones
- Jamie Laing and Oti Mabuse
- Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden
- Chris Ramsey and Karen Hauer
- Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard
- Michelle Visage and Giovanni Pernice
- Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton
- Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke
- Alex Scott and Neil Jones
- Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Radebe
- Viscountess Emma Weymouth and Aljaž Škorjanec
While viewers saw Made In Chelsea star Jamie Laing paired up with Oti Mabuse, he has withdrawn from the competition since the launch show was filmed last week.
He confirmed he was leaving the show on Thursday after injuring to his foot, saying in a statement: “I’m absolutely devastated that I’m unable to continue in the competition, I was so excited to hit the dance floor! I would like to wish the lovely couples all the very best and hope they enjoy their time on the show to the fullest.”
Host Tess Daly has since confirmed to the Evening Standard that he will be replaced.
Former Inbetweeners star and I’m A Celebrity star Emily Atack emerged as an early frontrunner to take to the floor in his place after becoming the bookies’ favourite.
However, reports have also suggester former Emmerdale actor Kelvin Fletcher has been approached.
During the launch show, the contestants also took to the floor for the first time as part of a group dance, while there was also a special performance from Kylie Minogue and the pro dancers.
New judge Motsi Mabuse also made her debut on the panel after she was confirmed to replace Darcey Bussell earlier this year.
Strictly Come Dancing returns on Saturday 21 September on BBC One when the couples will perform for the first time together as the competition officially kicks off.
