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Strictly returns as stars find their dancing partners

This year's group of dancing celebrities
This year's group of dancing celebrities

Strictly Come Dancing has kicked off for another year, with the celebrity contestants finding their dance partners for the season ahead on the first episode back.

What better way to start things off than with a bit of dancing from the professionals...

The professional dancers performed a rousing routine to hits like David Bowie's Let's Dance, to Sister Sledge's We Are Family and Chic's Everybody Dance as Nile Rodgers played on stage in the studio.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman

Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman then welcomed audiences back to the ballroom, with judges Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Shirley Ballas dancing in.

BBC News presenter Kate Silverton was the first celebrity to be paired up on the show. She will dance with professional Aljaz Skorjanec and she "couldn't be more thrilled."

Kate "couldn't be more thrilled"

Capital Breakfast show host Vick Hope has been paired with Strictly newcomer Graziano Di Prima, with Daly noting how well they look together.

Fashion stylist and TV presenter Susannah Constantine will dance with Anton Du Beke, with Constantine saying she is "so happy I cannot tell you."

Susannah is "so happy" to be paired with Anton

Steps singer Faye Tozer was paired with Giovanni Pernice, something she is "really chuffed" about.

Blue singer-turned-soap star Lee Ryan will dance with Nadiya Bychkova, and This Morning's medical expert Dr Ranj Singh will dance with Janette Manrara.

Lee was the first male contestant of the night to find out his partner's identity

Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules and Amy Dowden will dance together, with YouTuber Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell paired up.

Television presenter and author Katie Piper will dance with Gorka Marquez, Paralympic triathlete Lauren Steadman will dance with AJ Pritchard, and BBC Three documentary presenter Stacey Dooley will partner with Kevin Clifton.

Ashley was treated to a spin when her pairing was revealed

Singer Ashley Roberts will dance with Pasha Kovalev, who span her around as their pairing was announced.

Last year's professional dance winner Katya Jones has been partnered up with stand-up comic Seann Walsh, with Walsh noting, "I got the champion."

Casualty star Charles Venn will dance with Karen Clifton, and former England cricketer Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse were announced as the final couple to dance this year.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on September 22.

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