THE latest contenders are all ready and raring to go as the battle to bag this year’s Strictly Glitterball trophy begins.
Tonight the celebs will take to the floor in a sensational opening number to launch the One dance contest’s 23rd series in the usual whirl of ticker tape and sparkles.
The new series of Strictly is set to kick off as the quest for the Glitterball trophy restarts
Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton du Beke are back for another series
After weeks of speculation about the pairings, viewers will discover which of have been .
Then to cap off the opening show they will all come together for their first group performance, with the celebrities showing off what they have already learned from their nimble-footed teachers.
But first, the — which runs to almost two hours — kicks off at 6.40pm with some , courtesy of last year’s winners — blind comedian and his dance partner .
An insider said: “As you’d expect with Chris, who had all the contestants and crew in stitches on the show last year, he wanted to do something that would make everyone laugh.
“So he and Dianne do a sketch where he pretends he won’t give up the Glitterball, even though he has to hand it over to show bosses so it can be presented to this year’s winner.
Dianne is then seen retrieving the show’s coveted trophy and holding it aloft in the Strictly studio as she is held high by fellow pro .”
The full line-up of celebrities was confirmed just over a month ago, when they met their expert partners for their first training session in .
It has long been suspected that England’s former skipper is likely to be paired with Ukrainian dancer , as both are unusually tall.
And it is understood that drag artist — real name Christopher Dennis — is likely to form a same-sex pairing with their pro, the first on the show since actor danced with Strictly professional in 2023.
But most of the pairings revealed on tonight’s show — which includes a musical performance from — will be a surprise to viewers, who often try to guess which stars are likely to end up with a similar pro dancer.
Blind comedian Chris McCausland will be back for the pre-recorded two hour show
This year that has been made trickier by the fact that the line-up doesn’t contain quite so many A-listers, although that has helped in other ways.
A show insider said: “Because a lot of the line-up are less well known to viewers, it means it feels much more like an open race where no one can easily predict the front-runners.
“In previous years many of the celebrities come to the show with a well-known track record as performers, whether that’s on stage, on TV or in movies.
“But that’s less obvious with this collection of names, so there will probably be some dark horses emerging, plus the usual selection of loveable outsiders.
“And as we’ve seen in previous years, it isn’t always the biggest stars who deliver the most sensational moments on the show. Often those just seem to come out of nowhere.
“But tonight fans will still be watching closely at the short burst of dance the newly paired duos will tease in the group routine to see if they can spot a potential winner.”
Thankfully the celebrities don’t need to worry too much about the quality of their performances just yet, as this week they won’t be delivering a full routine to be scored by the judges.
Next week is the start of the competition proper, but even then there will be no eliminations, though they will be scored by the judges and the figures rolled over to the next week.
Only then will we get a sense of who’s got what it takes to tango their way to victory.
- Odds from Ladbrokes.
Balvinder Sopal – EastEnders soap star – 12/1
KNOWN nowadays for her soap role as Suki Panesar, has some dance experience from her youth, and could be one to watch.
EastEnders favourite Balvinder Sopal has low odds and could be a contender to win
La Voix – RuPaul’s Drag Race star – 33/1
THE drag artist is well used to performing for an audience, but does La Voix have the dance skills to back up that big-stage confidence?
Drag artist La Voix has is an outsider to win the competition
Karen Carney – Sports presenter – 12/1
THE star turned journalist brings her natural fitness to Strictly, but can she do the paso doble as well as she can pass the ball?
Karen Carney is swapping the football terraces for the ballroom
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey – Nitro from Gladiators – 16/1
AS a former sprinter, has a physical advantage.
But as a Gladiator he’s used to battering opponents rather than outdancing them.
Former sprinter Harry Aikines-Aryeetey could be a quick learner on the dance floor
Ross King – TV presenter – 66/1
THE odds are against him, but as a man involved in the showbiz world he may have picked up a few tricks after years of reporting from .
Ross King has the longest odds of any of this year’s contestants
Lewis Cope – Former Emmerdale star – 3/1
is the favourite to win thanks to his dance ability, which saw him star in the musical Billy Elliot – but it could go against him with viewers.
The bookies have made Lewis Cope the early favourite to win the competition
Alex Kingston – Actress – 14/1
THE former ER and actress has decades of experience performing on stage and screen – and she is in sensational shape.
Actress Alex Skinner is being tipped to go far in the competition
Thomas Skinner – Former Apprentice contestant – 20/1
HIS dance skills are lacking but he’s said to be a hoot backstage, plus he might win the underdog vote which has helped previous contestants.
Tom Skinner could win over viewers – but he may struggle with the judges
Vicky Pattison – Reality TV regular – 10/1
NOT known for her performance skills, she’s guaranteed to add glamour and might just turn out to be a dark horse. The bookies think so.
Former Geordie Shore reality star Vicky Pattison is now on BBC prime time
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink – Dutch football manager – 33/1
HE insists his stint is for his kids, not the glory of winning the Glitterball, but Jimmy might just dazzle us with his footie athleticism.
Former Chelsea and Leeds United striker Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is one to watch
Dani Dyer – Actress and presenter – 4/1
HER triumph shows she can last the course, but she insists she’s not in it to win it. But with dad Danny behind her, she could go far.
Former Love Island contestant Dani Dyer says she is not obsessed with winning
Chris Robshaw – England rugby star – 50/1
THE hunky ex-England skipper could get the ladies’ vote. But he might find the conversion from rugby to the rumba a tad too challenging.
England rugby hero Chris Robshaw has been given long odds by the bookies
Ellie Goldstein – Model and actress – 5/1
HER dance skills are not obvious, yet the bookies think she has the potential to shine this year. And will deliver inspiration in spades.
Ellie Goldstein will inspire viewers simply by being on the dance floor
George Clarke – YouTuber and podcaster – 7/1
THE lad has youth on his side and can count on his army of followers to back him – not to mention millions of young girls watching at home.
George Clarke could bring an army of voters to support his efforts
Stefan Dennis – Neighbours soap star – 28/1
THE – who has played the soap’s Paul Robinson since 1985 – still has the physique and stamina of a man half his age.
Neighbours TV legend Stefan Davis is famous for playing Paul Robinson on the soap 
