BBC Strictly Come Dancing release exciting first photo of celebrities ahead of new series

The BBC dancing show returns on Saturday September, 20

The celebrities will soon take to the dancefloor for the first time(Image: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA Wire)

Strictly Come Dancing has released the first photo of this year’s contestants ahead of the upcoming series. A fresh batch of famous faces are currently getting glitzed and glammed ready to step foot in the iconic ballroom for the first time next week. Rehearsals are well under way for the 23rd series of the show and fans can’t wait to tune in.

The first photo of the new cast of Strictly Come Dancing contestants has been released, with all 15 dressed up and ready to hit the dancefloor. Hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, the BBC show returns with a new cast on September 20.

Pink was the colour of choice for most of the contestants this year. Love Island winner Dani Dyer wore a tassled pink number with a plunging V-neck to her waist, while pink tassels were shown off by ER actress Alex Kingston and model and actress Ellie Goldstein.

Former England footballer Karen Carney wore a hot pink dress while Olympian and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeete opted for bright pink trousers and a shirt that showed off his chest.

YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke wore tailored magenta trousers with a pale pink belt and a floral pink patterned fitted T-shirt. Drag Race UK finalist Le Voix was a vision in red, wearing a dress featuring a long flowing skirt with a slit up to the thigh.

Offering a pop of bright yellow was reality TV star Vicky Pattison in a fitted knee-length dress, while EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal wore a turquoise dress.

Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink opted for an electric blue suit, while Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope wore the same colour, but showed off his arms with a sheer sleeveless top and tailored trousers.

Neighbours stalwart Stefan Dennis, broadcaster Ross King and former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw all wore patterned suits, while former Apprentice star and social media personality Thomas Skinner had a pale blue suit with sparkly details on the lapels.

Over the course of 12 weeks, the cast will perform a number of ballroom and Latin routines alongside their professional partners.

Judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke will again score the pairs as they compete to win the Glitterball Trophy. Strictly won the talent show prize at the National Television Awards for a 10th year in a row this week.

Last year’s series was won by comedian Chris McCausland and professional dancer Dianne Buswell. The 47-year old Scouse star became the first ever blind contestant to take part in the BBC show.

Chris and Dianne recently took home the BAFTA TV award for the most Memorable Moment of the year. Their emotional performance of a waltz to ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ had fans in tears during the series.

They will be returning to the dancefloor to perform one last dance together as part of the Strictly Come Dancing launch show, which airs on September, 20.

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