Darcey Bussell leads the glamour in plunging fuchsia pink ballgown at Strictly Come Dancing launch

Ashley Roberts, Katie Piper, Vick Hope and Kate Silverton led the celebrities at the glamorous sequin-studded Strictly Come Dancing launch 2018 extravaganza in London on Monday night.

Also attending the event was Darcey Bussell who looked sensational in a plunging fuchsia pink ballgown with a long train as she joined her judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.

The former Royal Ballet principal ballerina and judge, 49, looked every inch the show woman in the bold ensemble as she styled her short brunette locks into a dramatic curled sweptback hairdo. 

Darcey proved diamonds really are a girl’s best friend as she accessorised her look with a pair of jaw-dropping pendant earrings, bracelet and oversized tortoise shell sunglasses.  

She was joined by her co-star and head judge, Shirley Ballas, who oozed Hollywood glamour in a white halterneck midi dress, with a sheer and beaded chiffon cape over the top.

The Queen of Latin styled her raven locks into a voluminous tied back hairdo, with the front strands loose, she added a slick of glamorous make-up which included a dark red lipstick.

She accessorised her look with a set of red and pearl studded heels, as well as a pair of oversized black sunglasses. 

Dream team: Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman looked every inch the show women as they put on an animated display at the star-studded event 

Show-stoppers: Meanwhile, the professional dancers made sure to put on a spectacle on the star-studded red carpet as Anton du Beke showed off his snake hips with flame-haired Dianne Buswell

Ta-da!: The duo looked every inch the Strictly stars as they showed off their toned figure in black, red and silver sparkly sheer outfits, later joining their fellow dancers on stage 

Glamorous duo: The former Royal Ballet principal ballerina and judge, 49, looked every inch the show woman in the bold ensemble as she styled her short brunette locks into a dramatic curled sweptback hairdo

Wow factor: Shirley Ballas oozed Hollywood glamour in a white halterneck midi dress, with a sheer and beaded chiffon cape over the top 

Meanwhile, the professional dancers made sure to put on a spectacle on the star-studded red carpet as Anton du Beke showed off his snake hips with flame-haired Dianne Buswell. 

The duo looked every inch the Strictly stars as they showed off their toned figure in black, red and silver sparkly sheer outfits.  

The launch show for Strictly Come Dancing will be filmed on August 31, with the celebrities pairing up with their professional dance partners.

The launch show will air on September 8.

Anticipation has been mounting for the new series ever since the lineup was officially confirmed, with names such as Lee Ryan, Ashley Roberts and Susannah Constantine set to take to the dancefloor.

It will be the first time viewers will see the celebs dance with their professions in a group dance.

The first show will feature special guests Nile Rodgers and Chic, Craig David and Stefflon Don.

Ahead of the red carpet event, it seemed that host of the show Tess Daly and new contestant Faye Tozer had compared notes, both walking into the event in identical ensembles.

Before dolling themselves up for the glam debut show, each blonde strutted into the studios in London in matching khaki army jackets.

Pretty in pink: Darcey Bussell led the glamour in a plunging fuchsia pink ballgown with a long train at the Strictly Come Dancing launch in London on Monday night

Doubling up: Ahead of the red carpet event, it seemed that host of the show Tess Daly and new contestant Faye Tozer had compared notes, both walking into the event in identical ensembles

They both wore white tops underneath and black skinny leggings.

Even their bags were matching, each toting a small black leather shoulder purse.

Everything was identical between the two – down to their pink trainers.

The main difference was that Faye covered her blonde locks with a beige baseball cap, while Tess let her mane fall loosely around her shoulders. 

Mix and match: Before dolling themselves up for the glam debut show, each blonde strutted into the studios in London in matching khaki army jackets

Casual glam: Tess and Faye both wore white tops underneath and black skinny leggings. Tess strutted alongside head judge Shirley Ballas [pictured], who walked alongside her in a white blouse and black slacks

Copycats: Even Tess and Faye’s bags were matching, each toting a small black leather shoulder purse. Everything was identical between the two – down to their pink trainers

The main difference was that Faye covered her blonde locks with a beige baseball cap, while Tess let her mane fall loosely around her shoulders

Tess strutted alongside head judge Shirley Ballas, who walked alongside her in a white blouse and black slacks.

She was seen on the arm of a tuxedo-clad Craig Revel Horwood at one point, looking to share a hysterical joke with one another.

Their fellow judge Bruno Tonioli turned up looking smart in a shirt and tie, followed by Tess’ co-host Claudia Winkleman.

Claudia wore a black casual ensemble, a warm coat and hauled a large bag with her.

What a laugh: Shirley was seen on the arm of a tuxedo-clad Craig Revel Horwood at one point

Strutting her stuff: Darcey Bussell arrived at the BBC Studios in a chic denim number

Sharp: Bruno Tonioli turned up looking smart in a shirt and tie

Excited: Also arriving was Katie Piper, in a white top and jeans

Not feeling Blue: Lee Ryan showed up clad in a black suit

She showcased her newly dyed mane of blonde dip-dye highlights.

Also arriving was Katie Piper, in a white top and jeans, followed by Lee Ryan in a dark ensemble.

Darcey Bussell arrived at the BBC Studios in a chic denim number followed by casual clad Graeme Swann and Kate Silverton.

Friendly competition: Graeme Swann showed up equipped with a bag of sushi

Raring to go: Kate Silverton looked ready for her time in the spotlight

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2018: THE FULL LINE-UP

The [Kim] joy of baking: Kim-Joy has an ‘open’ approach to cakes

Susannah Constantine 

Age: 56

Occupation: Fashion TV star 

Claim to fame: Susannah dated Princess Margaret’s son, David Linley  and is known for starring in What Not To Wear with Trinny Woodall, where they lauded Spanx

Boozy bakes: Londoner Ruby is partial to a Chambord Ganache

Charles Venn 

Age: 45

Occupation: EastEnders actor 

Claim to fame:  The handsome hunk has most famously starred as Ray Dixon in EastEnders, but has also starred in Casualty and Footballers’ Wives 

Flamboyant or flambé? Karen is looking to ‘have some fun’

Lauren Steadman 

Age: 25

Occupation: Paralympic silver medallist

Claim to fame: British Paralympic athlete is a double World Champion Paratriathlete and six-time European Champion, who was born missing her lower right arm

Blood, sweat and tears: Jon is a medical courier for a living

Lee Ryan 

Age: 35

Occupation: Blue singer and former CBB star 

Claim to fame:  Lee is a member of boy band Blue who sold over 14million records worldwide. He’s also starred in various pantomimes 

Mother knows best: Imelda learned to bake from her Irish mother

Seann Walsh 

Age: 32

Occupation: Comedian 

Claim to fame:  Seann is one of the UK’s most beloved comedians, and along with touring the country is a regular on shows Virtually Famous and Play To The Whistle. 

Paul Bollywood? Antony’s Indian father taught him how to bake

Kate Silverton 

Age: 48

Occupation: News broadcaster

Claim to fame: Kate has been a fixture of BBC’s news presenting team for many years. She has also hosted programmes Panorama, Big Cat Live and My Family at War

Getting technical: Terry is a self-confessed ‘edgy’ baker

Ashley Roberts  

Age: 36

Occupation:  Former Pussycat Dolls singer

Claim to fame:  Ashley soared to fame in the modern Burlesque group and dance troupe Pussycat Dolls. She left the group in 2010 and became a judge on Dancing On Ice

Party boy: Luke is trading his decks for a different type of mixer

Dr Ranj Singh 

Age: 38

Occupation: This Morning’s resident doctor 

Claim to fame:  Dr Ranj has garnered fame from his presenting on CBeebies’ shows Get Well Soon and Bedtime Stories, as well as being a regular on ITV’s This Morning 

Man of science: Rahul has an East-meets-West flair for baking

 Vick Hope 

Age:28

Occupation: DJ 

Claim to fame: Vick has garnered fame in her turn as a DJ on Capital FM opposite Roman Kemp on the weekday breakfast show from 6AM

Danny John-Jules 

Age: 57

Occupation: Actor

Claim to fame: Danny has played Cat in the sci-fi cult series Red Dwarf since 1988. He also played hero Lenny Bicknall in the CBBC spy series M.I. High.

Katie Piper 

Age: 34

Occupation: TV star

Claim to fame: Katie rose to prominence after she was the victim of a horrific acid attack in 2008. She went onto front the documentary Katie: My Beautiful Face as well as several other series. 

Self-taught: Briony credits YouTube for her skills in the kitchen

Stacey Dooley 

Age: 31

Occupation: Documentary maker 

Claim to fame: Stacey has presented investigative documentaries for the BBC, including the award-winning Stacey Dooley on The Frontline: Gun Girls and ISIS in 2016.

Bringing the boulangerie: Manon draws upon her French heritage 

Graeme Swann 

Age: 39

Occupation: Former cricketer

Claim to fame: Graeme is one of England’s greatest ever cricket stars, playing for the national team from 2008-13. He was also part of the historic winning 2009 Ashes team.

Growing up: Dan has honed his baking skills as a stay-at-home dad 

 Joe Sugg 

Age: 26

Occupation: YouTube star

Claim to fame: One of Britain’s most popular YouTube stars, with over 8m subscribers to his channel and 5.5 million Twitter followers. He is the brother of web guru Zoella.

Faye Tozer

 Age: 42

Occupation: Steps singer

Claim to fame: Faye was one of the stars of legendary 90s band Steps from 1997 to 2001. The group reunited in 2017 for an anniversary tour, with their comeback album