The new series of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing ballroom show is well underway, launching us straight into the 14th season of the popular show. Vying for the Glitterball Trophy, like Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani last season, this year’s contestants will be putting their best foot forward and try their hand at a number of different ballroom and Latin routines.
The new series kicked off with a special launch show on 3 September. The pre-recorded episode saw the celebrity contestants paired up with their professional partners, before they began training together for the first live show at the end of September. The series continues until christmas, with judges Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli rating the performances and offering their critiques of the contestants. Earlier this year it was announced that this series of Strictly will be Len’s last, stepping down from his role as Head Judge.
This year the professional dancers have seen some new faces join their ranks. Ukrainian champion Oksana Platero, Spanish dance professional Gorka Marquez, World Champion Katya Jones, and undefeated four-time British National Champion Neil Jones, who is married to Katya, have hit our screens. They will be joined by British and European Youth Latin and Ballroom Champions AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt, who previously appeared on Britain’s Got Talent in 2013, reaching the semi-finals. They are the youngest ever pro-dancers, at 21 and 20 respectively. Old favourites Anton du Beke, Brendan Cole, Joanne Clifton, Karen Clifton, Kevin Clifton, Pasha Kovalev, Natalie Lowe, Oti Mabuse, Janette Manrara, Giovanni Pernice and Aljaž Škorjanec have all returned.
In terms of contestants, this year will see former MP Ed Balls, Pop Idol winner Will Young, TV personality Laura Whitmore, former Xtra Factor host Melvin Odoom, Olympics presenter Ore Oduba, singer Louise Redknapp, Hollyoaks actor Danny Mac, model Daisy Lowe, BBC Breakfast host Naga Manchetty, singer Anastacia, gymnast Claudia Fragapane, daytime TV star Judge Rinder, Birds Of A Feather star Lesley Joseph, Olympic athlete Greg Rutherford and EastEnders actress Tameka Empson take to the stage.