The stars of this year's Strictly Come Dancing have told of their nerves and lack of sleep ahead of Saturday night's first live show.
Comedian Susan Calman and newsreader Charlotte Hawkins revealed they had endured somewhat sleepless nights hours before they take to the dance floor, while Loose Women's Ruth Langsford and actress Gemma Atkinson have told of the physical impact their nerves are having.
Calman posted on Twitter, at around 6.30am: "Up early. Can't sleep. No idea why. It's not like I'm doing anything important today."
Up early. Can't sleep. No idea why. It's not like I'm doing anything important today. pic.twitter.com/KaeZeDpxMC
— Susan Calman (@SusanCalman) September 23, 2017
Hawkins wrote that she had "not much sleep" in response to a good-luck message from her Good Morning Britain co-star Ranvir Singh.
Langsford told her fans in a video message: "I'm so nervous - my hands are cold, my mouth is dry.
"I'm also excited, I've got the excited tummy."
Strictly Come Dancing: Meet the Contestants
Atkinson posted a picture to Twitter of a girl with a dog, which reads, "If you get the choice to sit it out, or dance, I hope you dance" along with the caption, "Beyond nervous, but equally excited."
Beyond nervous but equally as excited! 💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼💃🏼 #StrictlyComeDancing2017 pic.twitter.com/r5FWmiwWGr
— Gemma Atkinson (@MissGAtkinson) August 22, 2017
Singer Alexandra Burke tweeted that she was embarking on a "full gym workout" in order to try to get rid of her nerves, which she described in an earlier online message as "unreal".
Elsewhere, Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer appeared stunned that the day had finally arrived, as he posted a picture of his name on his dressing room door.
He wrote: "So it's really happening @bbcstrictly."
Also taking to the Strictly dance floor after two weeks of intense training are pop stars Mollie King and Aston Merrygold, soap stars Davood Ghadami, Chizzy Akudolu and Joe McFadden, comedian Brian Conley, TV and radio personality Debbie McGee and Paralympian Jonnie Peacock.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One at 6.25pm.
