skip to main content

O'Donnell waltzing to When Irish Eyes Are Smiling

Daniel O'Donnell with partner Kristina Rihanoff
Daniel O'Donnell with partner Kristina Rihanoff

It's been three weeks since Daniel O'Donnell was paired with his Strictly Come Dancing partner Kristina Rihanoff and this Friday we will finally get to see the steps they have been working on. 

The music and dance styles for Friday and Saturday night's shows have been announced as the celebrities prepare to perform with their professional partners for the first time.

Irish singer Daniel O'Donnell will debut with a waltz to Ruby Murray's When Irish Eyes Are Smiling alongside Kristina Rihanoff. All eyes will be on Donegal native, not only for his fancy footwork, but to see what sparkly outfit he will be wearing.

Bookies' favourite, pop star Peter Andre, will dance the cha cha with partner Janette Manrana to Christina Aguilera's Ain't No Other Man.

Call The Midwife actress Helen George, who has the best odds out of the female contestants, will also perform a waltz with partner Aljaz Skorjanec to the song With You I'm Born Again by Billy Preston and Syreeta Wright.

Newsreader Jeremy Vine will dance the cha cha to the song September by Earth, Wind and Fire alongside partner Karen Clifton. Many suspect he will be among the first to exit the competition.

Boxer Anthony Ogogo and his partner Oti Mabuse, who have been forced to deny rumours that they had a falling out in rehearsals, will dance the jive to Wham!'s Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go.

Six couples will dance on Friday night, with the remaining nine taking to the dance floor on Saturday evening.

Judges Len Goodman, Darcey Bussell, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli will critique the celebrities and give the dancers their first score, although none of the couples will be leaving the show this weekend.

The scores will be carried forward to next weekend when viewers will get their first chance to vote for who should stay in the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing airs on Friday at 9pm and Saturday at 6.15pm on BBC One.

Read Next