By Hannah Roberts And Lauren Del Fabbro Pa Entertainment Reporter,Jordan Coussins
Copyright birminghammail
The first images from this year’s Strictly Come Dancing launch show have been unveiled before the series makes its comeback. The popular BBC One reality programme kicks off its 23rd series on Saturday, with the preview shots featuring the fresh celebrity cast including Apprentice hopeful Thomas Skinner, reality television personality Vicky Pattison, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis and Love Island champion Dani Dyer-Bowen. Bursting with confetti, sparkles and stage lighting, the images also highlight the professional dancers, presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and the judging panel of Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke. Read more: BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro Dianne Buswell ‘not allowed to work with Chris McCausland’ Strictly’s head judge Ballas has additionally hinted at some “exciting changes” and “twists and turns” for the upcoming series. The preview photographs also feature vocalist Jessie J, whose real name is Jessica Cornish, serving as the musical guest for the launch. The mother-of-one revealed in June that she had received an early breast cancer diagnosis and undergone surgery. She disclosed in August that she required a second operation before year’s end and was delaying her planned tour. The singer-songwriter has achieved three UK singles chart number ones with Domino, Price Tag and Bang Bang. The launch show imagery also includes other famous faces in the lineup, such as Doctor Who star Alex Kingston, soap actress Balvinder Sopal and former England rugby skipper Chris Robshaw. Model and CBBC actress Ellie Goldstein, podcast host George Clarke, and Gladiator star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey are among the celebrities set to hit the dance floor. They’ll be joined by former footballers Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Karen Carney, drag queen and singer La Voix, Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, and entertainment reporter Ross King. The line-up of professional dancers includes newcomers Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, alongside returning favourites such as Aljaz Skorjanec, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola. Strictly Come Dancing is set to return on Saturday, 20 September at 6.40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
