Strictly Come Dancing 2023 has begun with a bang, with the revelation of this season’s partnerships taking place tonight.
Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Zara McDermott from Love Island, and Bobby Brazier from EastEnders have all come to the ballroom in the hopes of impressing judges Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Shirley Ballas.
But, when the tournament begins, who will raise the glitterball trophy and follow in the footsteps of Jowita Pryzstal and Hamza Yassin?
After weeks of speculation and hearsay, here are our confirmed Strictly pairs…
Luba Mushtuk and Adam Thomas
On August 8, Waterloo Road’s Adam Thomas was named as the eighth candidate for this year’s season, after indicating that he wanted to face the fabled “Strictly curse.”
Despite fighting a chronic health condition, he’s been updating supporters on his training with girlfriend Luba Mushtuk.
Luba, 32, joined the Strictly family in 2018, having previously worked as an assistant choreographer.
Her first celebrity partner was James Cracknell OBE, however the duo didn’t make it past Week Two. The following year, she made it one week farther with American football star Jason Bell.
Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice
Amanda Abbington, the Sherlock actress, has been revealed as the first star to hit the dance floor this year.
The 49-year-old, who acknowledged to being ‘very competitive,’ claimed she was ‘thrilled to have been invited,’ but she was embroiled in controversy once the news broke.
Amanda will be dancing with Giovanni Pernice, an Italian professional who has performed on Strictly since 2015.
Giovanni, 33, was in an all-male partnership with Richie Anderson last year after winning the previous year with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
They won a Bafta TV award for their spectacular silent dance after raising the glitterball trophy with the EastEnders actress.
Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu
Angela Scanlon, renowned for her appearances on The One Show and presenting Your Garden Made Perfect, will join Carlos Gu on the dancefloor.
‘I’m afraid, I’m eager, and I have so many questions,’ Angela remarked as she revealed her participation. Will they cause me to tan? How irritating are sequins?! ‘Do they make sports bras in skin tones?’ (All excellent questions, Angela)
‘Well, there’s only one way to find out, isn’t there? I’m starting to panic… yet secretly excited at the thought of all that sparkle. Let’s get started!’
Carlos made a strong debut on Strictly last year, making it all the way to the final with CBBC star Molly Rainford.
Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington
Angela Rippon, a former Come Dancing host, is the oldest celebrity to appear on Strictly.
But the 78-year-old maintains she’s here to “enjoy” the “challenge.”
Angela will be paired with Kai, who made it all the way to the Strictly 2021 final with AJ Odudu in his first year.
Kai, 27, was paired with Loose Women’s Kaye Adams, who was the first to be voted out last year.
Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe
Former tennis ace Annabel Croft will be dancing with Johannes Radebe, who made it to the 2021 finals with John Whaite in the show’s first all-male pairing.
Speaking about joining Strictly, the 57-year-old said last month: ‘I have always loved watching Strictly and can’t quite believe I’m going to be part of this magical show – swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.’
After two seasons on Strictly Come Dancing South Africa, Johannes joined the UK version in 2018, where he’s been partnered with the likes of Corrie’s Catherine Tyldesley and actress Ellie Taylor.
Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell
EastEnders’ Bobby, who recently scored an NTAs win, has spoken about how he’s excited for the ‘sexy’ routines, which he’ll be dancing with Dianne Buswell.
The eldest son of Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier, 20, recently teased he was ‘over the moon’ with his pro and said he hoped to strike up a ‘beautiful relationship’ with them.
Earlier this month, rumours sparked that Dianne and Bobby would be paired together, after they were spotted sharing a boogie at the NTAs.
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The 33-year-old pro joined strictly in 2017, and coupled up with Joe Sugg in her second year (both on the dance floor and romantically).
The pair made it all the way to the final, the furthest Dianne has reached after leaving the ballroom in week four in following years.
Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
Eddie Kadi, a comedian, has been confirmed as the fifth competitor to enter the lineup this year.
Upon the news, the 40-year-old said: ‘I’m so tremendously happy and delighted that Strictly and the BBC have invited me to join the 2023 team.
‘I promise you I’ll give it everything I’ve got. This is going to have an effect.’
It has now been revealed that he will be dancing with Strictly icon Karen Hauer, who joined the competition in 2012.
She’s been to the Final twice, first with Mark Wright in 2014 and once with Jamie Laing in 2020. Will this be her year to win the glitterball trophy?
Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola
Ellie Leach, who starred in Corrie, called her impending stay on Strictly a ‘dream’ after being cast.
‘It still doesn’t feel real that I’m going to be doing Strictly!!’ she enthused.
She’s partnered with Vito Coppola, who was on Strictly last year and reached the final with radio DJ Fleur East.
Jody Cundy and Jowita Przystał
Jody Cundy is teamed with defending champ Jowita, who won her maiden season with cameraman Hamza last year.
‘Excited to be welcomed into the Strictly family and throw myself head first into the world of ballroom dancing,’ the 44-year-old said after the big reveal.
‘So far away from what I’m used to, but I’m looking forward to the challenge and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, especially as I’m always last onto the dance floor. Can’t wait to get stuck in, bring on the glitter and sequins!’
Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley
Krishnan, a 53-year-old newsreader, had previously declined invitations to compete in the dance competition, but has now agreed to join the rest of the cast in the line-up for the latest season.
Explaining why he had agreed to take part, he said: ‘You only live once. I’m here for the joy and the fun. I love my job. It’s very, very privileged: I go to amazing places and speak to amazing people, but it’s incredibly serious; it’s quite stressful.
‘So the idea of being able to have pure intravenous joy, alongside – because I’m going to be doing the news at the same time – is just irresistible.’
He’ll be paired with Lauren Oakley, the newest member of the Strictly family.
‘I’ve grown up watching Strictly, always hoping that one day I could be part of the best show on television, doing what I love the most,’ she told the BBC.
‘Now that it’s happening, it doesn’t quite seem real. I can’t wait to start this new sequined adventure and join this incredible family.’
Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin
Layton Williams will dance with Nikita Kuzmin in this year’s sole same-sex pairing.
The Billie Elliot actor, 28, previously stated that he was dancing in an all-male duo, but remained tight-lipped about his partner.
He has previously indicated his wish to be in an all-male partnership, saying: ‘Honestly, truly, I’m happy so long as it’s a guy. I’ve said I want to dance with a man. I want to be flung around.
‘Basically, at college I was always vey jealous of the girls being thrown around and was like, “I want to be that!” So I can’t wait to get flung around and wear some glittery costumes.’
Nikita joins Strictly in 2021, first paired with Tilly Ramsay and then with Paralympian Ellie Simmonds.
Les Dennis and Nancy Xu
Despite nearly spilling the news a week early, Family Fortunes star Les Dennis was the penultimate candidate confirmed as part of the Strictly line-up.
Les said he was ‘pleased’ to be taking part in a statement following his formal revelation, adding, ‘I’m thrilled to be performing this legendary fantastic performance as I approach my 70th birthday!’
‘Throughout my career, I’ve always sought out challenges outside of my comfort zone, and this is the ultimate one!’ I can hardly wait.’
Nancy joined the Strictly family in 2019 and made it to the semi-finals with her first celeb partner Rhys Stephenson in 2021, before returning the following year with Will Mellor.
Nigel Harman and Katya Jones
Nigel Harman, a former EastEnders actor, will be cha-cha-ing with Katya Jones.
‘I’m astonished, delighted, and afraid to be doing Strictly,’ he stated of his decision to join Strictly. I’ve watched in astonishment as folks spun and gyrated across the screen as an armchair fan of the programme. Now it’s my time… gasp!’
Katya, 33, first appeared on Strictly Come Dancing in 2016, dancing with Ed Balls.
She was later matched with Seann Walsh and became Strictly’s first ever same-sex couple with Nicola Adams.
Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez
Nikita Kanda, a BBC radio and television broadcaster, confirmed her participation in Strictly on her own breakfast show.
‘I can’t believe I’m going to be on Strictly,’ she remarked of the news. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I keep pinching myself.
‘I don’t believe it will fully set in until I get onto the dancing. I can’t wait to get dressed up and go out. ‘Pour some glitter on me!’
She’ll be paired with Gorka Marquez, a father of two who reached the final with Helen Skelton last year.
Which Strictly Come Dancing couple is your favourite? Please leave your comments below.Now is the time to comment.
Gorka entered in 2016 and advanced to the final with Alexandra Burke the following year, and again with Maisie Smith in 2020.
Gorka was supposed to have departed Strictly earlier this year, but happily, the reports were false.
Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Last but not least is Zara McDermott, Strictly’s first Love Island participant, and speculation has been rife about who she may be paired with.
After Giovanni and Neil Jones’ names were brought into the mix, the rumours were finally put to rest.
Graziano Di Prima, who joined the show in 2018, will be matched with the reality TV personality, 26.
Zara’s lover, Sam Thompson, is unconcerned about the curse accusations and insists their relationship is secure.
Strictly Come Dancing will start on Saturday September 16 at 6.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
Source My Celebrity Life.