Entertainment
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Pairings revealed as celebrities and professional dancers announced at launch show
The Strictly 2021 cast is brimming with talent (Picture: Ray Burmiston/BBC/PA)
Strictly Come Dancing 2021 has officially kicked off, with the stars of this year’s lineup making their grand entrances during the launch show.
The celebrity contestants are ready and raring to go on a mission to bag the Glitterball Trophy, as members of the public finally learn which professional dancers each of the celebs have been partnered up with.
Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse have returned to judge this year, with Anton Du Beke – the longest-serving professional dancer on the show – also sitting alongside them, taking Bruno Tonioli’s place.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are also back for the glitziest show on telly, following the 15 couples every step of the way in the competition.
So who are this year’s pairings as the launch show arrives?
Robert Webb and Dianne Buswell
We are feeling this charismatic partnership (Picture: BBC)
We have our very first Strictly partnership!
Peep Show star Robert Webb is going to take to the dancefloor with Dianne Buswell.
We can’t wait to see what they bring to the dancefloor!
Dianne revealed that their very first dance will be the Cha-Cha to Rasputin. That will be one unforgettable routine.
Katie McGlynn and Gorka Marquez
Gorka hopes it’ll be ‘third time lucky’ for the Glitterball Trophy with Katie (Picture: BBC)
Katie McGlynn was a bucket of nerves before she found out who her partner was going to be.
However, the minute she discovered it was Gorka Marquez, she immediately knew that they were going to get on like a ‘house on fire’.
While Gorka has reached the final twice before, he’s yet to walk away with the overall win.
Nonetheless, the dancer thinks it could be ‘third time lucky’ with Katie.
Rhys Stephenson and Nancy Xu
Nancy and Rhys seem like a perfect match (Picture: BBC)
CBeebies presenter Rhys Stephenson is set to partner up with Nancy Xu, the first time that Nancy has ever had a celebrity dance partner on the show.
Nancy said that she will ‘very strict, very hard but we’re going to have a fun time’.
‘I’m pretty sure you’re going to enjoy it! Nancy said, while Rhys said he’s ‘so excited’. Sounds like a perfect partnership to us!
Strictly Come Dancing returns next Saturday at 7pm on BBC One.
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