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See you again tomorrow!
And that’s it for this year’s Strictly launch show – thank you as always for joining in and kicking off this season with a glitter cannon, I’ll be reading all your comments and relaxing in a warm bath of Strictly wit and wisdom. I’m @heidistephens on Twitter and Instagram so come say hello. Come back TOMORROW at 6.45pm. for the first live show – it’s a two hour and twenty minute marathon, so bring plenty of supplies. See you then! Updated at 21:00 BST
Our Strictly series is complete!
So there we have our fifteen pairings – share your favorites in the comment box. You might want to hold off on predicting the winners until you see their first group dance – it’s a great opportunity to see who has natural polish and who has specific ends. Well, lots to see here, for a change. Jayde and Tyler both have some moves and Helen is one of life’s natural overachievers. Hamza and Fleur look great and even though Ritchie has a frame like a broken deckchair I love him. Ellie and Nikita look amazing, Kaye and Tony less so. I apologize for anyone I forgot – it all went pretty fast and I only have two eyes. Okay, I’m already way over the Adams family thing. Stop it.
And finally…It’s Kaye and Kai!
Anyone else frantically trying to figure out what male celebrity is left for Kaye? Oh, of course, it’s Kai Widdrington. They meet in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow and Kaye is thrilled. I mean you would be wouldn’t you? Kai went to the Grand Final last year but unfortunately she was unable to compete because AJ Odudu injured her leg. Kaye and Kai have a pleasant ring to them, don’t they? Okay, I’m pretty tired. Updated at 20.50 BST
It’s Tony and Katya!
Tony is absolutely terrified and has the air of a man who popped out for a pint of milk and somehow ended up on Strictly. He’s paired with Katya Jones, who managed to have a good November with Adam Peaty last year. It says something about tackle dancing, which I think is a football pun.
It’s Jayde and Karen!
And there’s the gagging of the Adams family! DRINK. Jayde goes to Brizzle to meet her dancer. My day job is in Bristol, about a five minute walk from Clifton Observatory – I can’t believe Jayde was there meeting Karen Hauer and I missed it. Jayde is excited because “Karen is strict.” Karen has many ideas and feels that this will be a golden moment for her. After dragging Greg Wise around the track last year like a piece of garden furniture, Karen deserves a great partner. How many pairs are there? I feel like we’ve been at this for YEARS. And finally we’re pairing Scottish TV presenter and journalist Kaye Adams, best known as the presenter on Loose Women. She also does a podcast called How To Be 60, which apparently recommends rolling yourself in glitter and taking a turn around the Strictly dancefloor. We all need life goals and that’s a good thing. Kaye Adams on Strictly Photo: Ray Burmiston/PA Here is Arsenal and England football legend Tony Adams MBE who won 66 caps for England and captained the team at Euro 96. You can assume from this CV that I know a thing or two about football and have ever heard of Tony Adams, but I don’t and I don’t. He’s following in the stern footsteps of some star football stars like Robbie Savage, David James and Alex Scott, so let’s see what his foot looks like in the Cuban heels. Tony Adams for Strictly Photo: Ray Burmiston/PA
Three celebrities left!
…And they all have the last name Adams, presumably so Tess can make an “Adams Family” joke at some point. First up is Jayde Adams, who is best known as an actress and stand-up comedian, and I also know her as a Eurovision podcaster. She’s also a West Country girl like me, which makes me wonder why we’re not best friends. I will work on it in the next few weeks. Jayde Adams in Strictly Photo: Ray Burmiston/BBC Updated at 20.31 BST
It’s John Legend!
Time for our first musical interlude of the season, courtesy of American R&B singer John Legend. He sings his new single ‘All She Wanna Do’. He’s dressed for kung fu fighting, while Luba, Kai, Michelle and Cameron treat us to some human friction. I just looked up if Legend is John’s real last name, mainly so we can discuss whether being born a Legend can inspire you to continue to truly be one. But it turns out John Stephens was born, and now I’m mortally offended. What’s wrong with Stephens? It’s a very good last name. Although now I’m thinking about the career possibilities of changing my name to Heidi Legend. It has some weight, doesn’t it? Updated at 20.29 BST
It’s Richie and Giovanni!
Anyone paired with Richie should start by getting rid of his terrible attitude. It’s also A LOT. He’s been paired with Giovanni Pernice – Richie feels like he’s the envy of the British public at the moment, and then calls him ‘Mr Giovanni’, like he’s the local ice cream. Giovanni looks slightly overwhelmed and I already like these two.
It’s Molly and Carlos!
Molly is very stimulating and I find her joy quite contagious. He is partnered with Carlos Gu, who is another of this year’s rookies. I know literally nothing about either of these two, so they’ll undoubtedly be my favorites until Week 6. That’s just how Strictly goes.
It’s Ellie T and Johannes!
Ellie T had Johannes at the top of her professional partner wish list and through the magic of Strictly her wish came true and she was paired with Johannes Radebe. Okay, I’m a little excited about this. Johannes says that meeting Ellie was already happy, because she is the most beautiful person on earth. Except for Hamza.
It’s Matt and Nadiya!
Matt has partnered with Nadiya Bychkova, who was paired with Dan Walker last year and made it to the Week… checks notes…really? So far away? Must be a typo. Matt is ready to put his heart and soul into it, and I think I’ll have to add “Matt Goss talking in metaphor” to the bingo. He’s a fascinating man, but also (he whispers it) the most likely to have a colossal meltdown. There, I said it. Updated at 20.18 BST Time to welcome Richie Anderson, who’s the travelogue guy on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast with Zoe Ball. He was also in Turin in May to cover the Eurovision Song Contest. I mean, so was I – if this is qualifying for Strictly, I’ve got a CV made of rainbow sequins. I think Richie will be teaming up with a male professional dancer this year – John and Johannes last year were a tough act to follow, so let’s see what Richie is made of. Richie Anderson on Strictly Photo: Ray Burmiston/BBC
