Strictly Come Dancing is officially back, with this year's celebrities preparing to perform live for the first time tonight. The 15 couples, paired up last week, will take to the dance floor in the show's opening live episode.
This year's show features a new presenting trio: Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Their appointment has divided opinion among fans and former stars of the BBC programme, with some raising sceptical eyebrows about the new lineup.
New Hosts Share Their Nerves
Josh Widdicombe admitted to feeling the pressure just hours before the live show. "What could possibly go wrong?" he laughed. "Loads of things, but let's not focus on them. I think it's going to be really, really fun. It's going to feel utterly surreal, just as terrifying as the first one. Will it ever stop being terrifying? I hope not, because hosting something like this should be the best kind of terrifying."
Emma Willis, despite being a seasoned presenting professional, expressed similar nerves. "I'm feeling nervous for sure, but I was told recently that nerves and excitement are the same feeling - it just depends on how you mentally approach the emotion, to determine whether it's fear or joy," she said. "So I'm like right ok, we can have all of that feeling. A little bit of nerves because it keeps you on your toes, and it means you care. And then bucket loads of excitement. I've also missed presenting live telly so I can't wait - who knows what's going to happen?!"
Tonight's Dances and Songs
The couples will perform a variety of dances, including quicksteps, sambas, tangos, cha chas, jives, foxtrots and a paso doble. Songs range from Celeste's "Stop This Flame" to Robbie Williams' "Rock DJ".
There will be no elimination this week, giving the celebrities two chances to impress judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse.
Show Time and Opening Number
Strictly kicks off at 6.15pm tonight. The show will open with a group number to an orchestral version of "Joy" by RAYE, with the new hosts joining the judges on stage. Bosses have also promised a 'Strictly first' for tonight's episode.
