Dressed to impress with sequins and plunging necklines galore, this year’s Strictly contestants look primed and ready to hit the dance floor.
The 15-strong line-up contains celebrities of a variety of occupations and ages – not to mention varying levels of dance experience.
For while some have been able to try out their cha cha steps during pop careers, others admit to being completely new to the dance world.
The cast includes EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami (1), comedian Susan Calman (2), Former Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson (3), JLS singer Aston Merrygold (4), Good Morning Britain newsreader Charlotte Hawkins (5), Church of England vicar Reverend Richard Coles (6), X Factor winner Alexandra Burke (7), actor Brian Conley (8), Debbie McGee (9), Holby City actor Joe McFadden (10), This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford (11), Paralympic sprinter Jonnie Peacock (12), Ex-Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu (13), Sunday Brunch host Simon Rimmer (14) and The Saturdays’ Mollie King (15)
However, even the most experienced stars will not be able to escape the sharp tongues of the judging panel – especially that of new judge Shirley Ballas.
For while the former international Latin champion has said she will be ‘the four Fs: fun, firm, feisty and fair’, she also revealed she will have little patience with contestants who don’t heed her advice.
‘I can also be strict – if I ask them to do something and they don’t deliver it the following week I’m not going to tell them that it’s OK, I’m not that kind of judge,’ she said.
Over the next 14 weeks, the celebrities will have to master various routines with their professional partners, who will be revealed on Saturday.
Shirley Ballason (pictured above) is the new head judge on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing and said she will be ‘the four Fs: fun, firm, feisty and fair’
However, first they must tackle the highly-anticipated group dance – their first opportunity to show off their moves to the public. Here LAURA LAMBERT takes us through the line-up:
1. THE HUNKY EASTENDER
EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami, 35, will have no trouble with the show’s famously skimpy outfits, having once stripped naked on screen.
But he admits to being a dance novice, saying: ‘I want to learn a new skill and I want to challenge myself because obviously it’s going to be very difficult for me having no experience’.
2 .THE DIMINUTIVE STAND-UP COMIC
Comedian Susan Calman learnt Scottish reeling at school, but the 4ft 10in quiz show host still labels herself as a ‘non-dancer’.
Describing her decision to appear on Strictly, the 42-year-old she said she wants ‘to be in a pretty frock and high heels’, adding: ‘It’s so different from my everyday life that I think it’s important to challenge yourself and this is probably the greatest challenge I’ll ever have in my life.’
3. THE FITNESS FANATIC SOAP STAR
Former Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson, 32, admits she’s more likely to be found in gym gear than a dress and heels.
The radio presenter said the show will take her ‘way out of my comfort zone’, adding: ‘I’d like [a partner] that is tall and strong, I’m 5ft 9in and 11 stone. I’m heavy, that’s a lot to throw around and lift up.’
4. THE POCKET ROCKET BOYBAND IDOL
At just 5ft 6in, JLS singer Aston Merrygold will be relying on his Cuban heels, and admits he fears being ‘towered over’ by his partner. The 29-year-old denied he has an advantage because of his singing career with the former boyband, saying: ‘I have no idea about this. The same way someone else who might not have any dance experience will have to learn as well, we’re all in the same boat.’
5. THE BREAKFAST NEWS ANCHOR
Good Morning Britain newsreader Charlotte Hawkins, 42, is hoping to follow in the footsteps of her colleague Susanna Reid, who reached the final in 2013.
However the mother-of-one said ‘stepping out, knowing everyone is watching your every move is going to be terrifying’.
6. THE POP STAR TURNED VICAR
Church of England vicar Reverend Richard Coles is one of the show’s more unexpected contestants, although he will be able to channel his days as a pop star.
The 55-year-old – who has taken advice from Ed Balls – warned he might become a ‘hideously competitive diva’ as the series progresses, but said: ‘My biggest challenge will be not being helicoptered to A&E.’
7. THE TALENT SHOW CHAMPION
Singer and X Factor winner Alexandra Burke, 29, is a self-confessed Strictly mega-fan who cannot wait for the glitz and glamour.
However she said: ‘Not having a microphone, that’s a big challenge. It’s a safety net.’ She says she is hoping to make her family proud.
8. THE SHOWBIZ VETERAN
Convinced to take part in the series by his daughter, comedian, actor and presenter Brian Conley, 56, brings a wealth of performing experience to the show but said his biggest concern is his ‘physical fitness’.
He said: ‘That’s the thing I’m worried about more than anything.’
9. THE FORMER MAGICIAN’S ASSISTANT
Following in the footsteps of her late husband, magician Paul Daniels, at 58 Debbie McGee is the oldest contestant.
‘The biggest challenge will be getting my body to move,’ she said. ‘I’m good at learning things so I think I’ll pick up the steps.’
10. THE TV HOSPITAL HEART-THROB
Holby City actor Joe McFadden, 41, jumped at the chance to take part, as he thinks it is his last chance to learn to dance – and wants a partner who will ‘crack the whip’. Playing down his chances, the Scot said: ‘I just don’t want to embarrass myself or Holby City or Scotland.’
11. THE MORNING TV HOST
This Morning presenter Ruth Langsford, 57, has her eye firmly on the prize, admitting: ‘I’m absolutely going in to this to win it because why would you not? In my diary, all those dates are filled in until I lift the Glitterball trophy.’
12. THE PARALYMPIC CHAMPION
Paralympic sprinter Jonnie Peacock, 24, is the show’s first disabled contestant. Setting his competitive streak aside, he said he is looking forward to overcoming his ‘fear of looking like an idiot in public and embarrassing myself’, adding: ‘I think I’d be really happy if I could even get a score of five or six.’
13. THE FORMER HOLBY SURGEON
Ex-Holby City actress Chizzy Akudolu, 43, is going into the show with the aim of transforming her image – as well as high hopes of making the final.
‘I’m looking forward to learning the dances but really I’d love to get fit and I’d love to lose loads of weight,’ she said.
14. THE TV CHEF
Sunday Brunch host Simon Rimmer, 54, comes in with zero dance experience but is determined to prove the saying ‘you can’t teach an old dog new tricks’ wrong. He said: ‘I would say on the scale of one to ten, my dance level will be zero but … I am pig-headed and determined.’
15. THE BLONDE BOMBSHELL SINGER
Following her days in girl band The Saturdays, Mollie King has extensive experience on stage. But the 30-year-old said she made a poor impression in ballet lessons as a child and did football instead.
Seeking to emulate her former bandmate, Strictly finalist Frankie Bridge, she said: ‘I’d love to get as far in so that I can have soaked up the atmosphere, the costumes, the fake tan, just so that I’ve lapped it all up.’