strictly 1

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 airs tonight - who will you be rooting for?

September 4, 2016
© Photo: BBC

Anastacia and Brendan Cole

Anastacia is determined to get to the end! She said: "I would love to get the end. The idea of holding the Glitterball Trophy would be a BIG accomplishment after all I have been through."

© Photo: BBC

Lesley Joseph and Anton du Beke      

Lesley joked: "I can be very competitive when I want to be." 

© Photo: BBC

Claudia Fragapane and AJ Pritchard

The gymnast said: "I don't see myself in the final. I just want to go there, enjoy it and challenge myself."

© Photo: BBC

Daisy Lowe and Aljaz Skorjanec

Opening up about the competition, Daisy said: "I'm so clumsy, so I'm sure I'll fall over a lot.

"I think the most embarrassing thing that could happen would be that I just freeze up and forget everything."

© Photo: BBC

Greg Rutherford and Natalie Lowe

Olympic champion Greg loves a challenge, and has also appeared in Great Sport Relief Bake Off, the Channel 4 immersive history series Time CrashersThe Cube and Million Pound Drop.

© Photo: BBC

Ed Balls and Katya Jones

Already nicknamed Ed 'Disco' Balls, the former MP joked about his "dad moves" after the show's opening night. 

© Photo: BBC

Laura Whitmore and Giovanni Pernice

Laura said: "I never went to dance school but I love dancing. Anyone who has ever met me knows this." 

© Photo: BBC

Louise Redknapp and Kevin Clifton

Louise revealed that she isn't particularly competitive, saying: "not being overly competitive will probably be my biggest downfall in the competition."

© Photo: BBC

Melvin Odoom and Janette Manrara

The DJ said: "I'm really looking forward to learning all the new routines, working with the professional dancers, meeting the other contestants, the whole experience to be honest." 

© Photo: BBC

Naga Munchetty and Pasha Kovalev

Naga said: "I am looking forward to learning something completely different.

"I've always enjoyed watching Strictly. It's a brilliant show and it’s lots of fun."

© Photo: BBC

Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton

Ore revealed he was most excited about his upcoming costumes, saying: "There are three outfits I've always dreamt of one day wearing: Manchester United 1st team strip. The Batman suit. And a full sequinned number a la Strictly."

© Photo: BBC

Danny Mac and Oti Mabuse

Danny has admitted to nerves, saying: "Going out there, on a dance floor as myself in front of so many people really is terrifying!"

© Photo: BBC

Robert Rinder and Oksana Platero

Judge Rinder is quite the athlete, and will be able to easily keep up with the dance moves after completing both the London and New York Marathons! 

© Photo: BBC

Tameka Empson and Gorka Marquez

Tameka will have her work cut out for her as she will be appearing in the show alongside her role in Eastenders as well as taking care of her two-year-old daughter, Nylah.

© Photo: BBC

Will Young and Karen Clifton

Will is a huge fan of the show, and said: "I thought last year's winner Jay was so beautiful to watch, and to see his confidence grow week in week out was brilliant."

© Photo: BBC

Strictly Come Dancing starts on Friday night, and we can't wait to see what the new group of celebrity dancers can do! 

Click through to see the new host of contestants and their professional dancing partners - and to predict who will claim that Glitter Ball Trophy! 

Sign up to Off Camera for all the gossip and goings-on from the wonderful world of TV and film

Email Address

By entering your details, you are agreeing to HELLO! Magazine User Data Protection Policy. You can unsubscribe at any time. For more information, please click here.

More TV and Film

See more