Yahoo News Strictly Come Dancing 2020 launch show confirms this year's dancing couples
Nothing was going to stop Strictly Come Dancing coming back onto our screens for autumn, and although there are some noticeable changes, it still feels like the Strictly we all know and love.
Tonight's (October 17) launch show saw this year's crop of celebrities paired up with their professional dancers and as ever, everyone was absolutely delighted with who they have been partnered with.
There was plenty of glitz and glamour in the spectacular professional group numbers – which even saw Anton Du Beke take the microphone during one routine – and the judges were back looking as magnificent as ever (though minus Bruno Tonioli – but he'll be joining Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas for the results shows via video link.).
So, here are this year's Strictly Come Dancing couples, who met prior to this year's show as part of a number of changes to keep the show running smoothly:
Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe
Caroline met Johannes at the Globe Theatre on London's South Bank. She said: "I love him, I can't lie, I can't even pretend I wanted anyone else."
Clara Amfo and Aljaž Skorjanec
Clara, who got a visit from Aljaž at Radio 1, said: "Aljaž was definitely in my top three. You were number one, it was all about you."
Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice
Giovanni revealed that their first dance will be the Paso Doble to a Beyoncé track.
HRVY and Janette Manrara
HRVY, who met with Janette at the SSE Arena Wembley, said: "She's incredible. So talented and beautiful, I'm so happy."
Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk
Jason met up with Luba at Tottenham Hotspur's stadium. He said: "Some days you just win the Lotto, and I won the Lotto today when I got Luba."
Jamie Laing and Karen Hauer
Jamie, who surprised Karen for their first meeting by pulling up on a motorbike on the streets of Chelsea, said: "As much as I joke around I promise I'll work hard, I promise I'll do my best and I won't let you down and I can't wait for this."
Nicola Adams and Katya Jones
Nicola met Katya at the Royal Albert Hall, the scene of her last boxing match before retirement. The double Olympic champion said: "I want people to see my personality – my fun side, my bubbly side. I want to set fire to the dance floor, I want to bust some moves."
Jacqui Smith and Anton Du Beke
Anton donned a disguise to meet Jacqui near the Houses of Parliament. "I'm going to have to let my feet do the talking and I feel reasonably nervous about it, but Anton's a talker as well," the former Home Secretary said.
Maisie Smith and Gorka Marquez
Maisie found out that she would be paired with Gorka on the Strictly set – EastEnders, of course, also films at Elstree.Gorka revealed that the pair will be dancing a Samba for their first dance.
JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden
JJ said: "I secretly wanted Amy and she seems like the nicest person in the world and it was even better to find out that is the case."
Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse
Oti and Bill met up on a birdwatching trip, and she revealed that their first dance together will be the Cha Cha Cha.
Max George and Dianne Buswell
"I'm so happy it's Dianne," said Max, who met his dance partner at the world-famous Abbey Road studios in north west London. "She seems so nice and full of energy, and apparently she's got a bit of a stern side, which I think I'm going to need."
Strictly Come Dancing will return next Saturday (October 24) on BBC One.
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