Strictly Come Dancing 2019 LIVE launch- Latest updates as the couples dance for the first time on stage
STRICTLY Come Dancing 2019 finally kicks off in less than an hour, with the celebs and their professional partners hitting the dancefloor for their first judged routines of the series.
Earlier this month, the pre-recorded launch show gave us our first taste of the Class of 2019, but Made In Chelsea's Jamie Laing has since dropped out of the competition.
The star was left devastated after an injury forced him to quit the show, with Emmerdale's Kelvin Fletcher taking his place.
Kelvin and the other 14 celebrities have no theme for Week One of the competition – they will just be doing their best to make a good enough first impression to win that coveted Glitterball Trophy.
The show kicks off at 7pm on BBC One and will be on air until 9.15pm – we will be here with you every step of the way with our Strictly Come Dancing live blog.
Keeeeeeeeeeeeeep dancing!
Which celebs do we reckon could be at risk of the infamous Strictly Curse this series? Last year there was quite a scandal when The Sun On Sunday revealed that Katya Jones had been snogging her celeb partner Seann Walsh behind husband Neil Jones back. Eek. 2018 champs Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton were also affected by the curse, with Stacey dumping her boyfriend of five years and shacking up with Kev shortly after the series ended.
Speaking of Jay McGuinness, four years after winning the show he is STILL showing off his fancy footwork. The former Wanted singer is currently playing Josh in Big The Musical in London's West End – and boy, does that man throw some shapes on the stage. It really is a brilliant watch though and has had rave reviews – definitely check it out if you get the chance!
It is also that time of year where we all look back at some of our fave ever Strictly dances. I think the most stand-out one for me was Jay McGuinness' Pulp Fiction Jive. Or even Jake Wood's Max-Branning-esque Week One routine to Britney Spears' Toxic. I am sure SEVERAL more will come to me as the evening goes on.
Does Strictly make anybody else feel weirdly ready for winter? It is like the countdown to Christmas is officially on, but who will be taking home the Glitterball this December?
If you haven't already seen, or just want a reminder, here is what the celebs will be dancing to tonight – I personally love Emma Barton's nod to her EastEnders' character Honey.
- Anneka Rice and Kevin Clifton dancing the Cha Cha to Gloria by Laura Branigan
- Chris Ramsey and Karen Clifton dancing the Cha Cha to Juice by Lizzo
- Emma Weymouth and Aljaz Skorjanec dancing the Cha Cha to She's A Lady by Tom Jones
- Karim Zeroual and Amy Dowden dancing the Cha Cha to If I Can't Have You by Shawn Mendes
- Michelle Visage and Giovanni Pernice dancing the Cha Cha to So Emotional by Whitney Houston
- Alex Scott and Neil Jones dancing the Quickstep to I Get A Kick Out Of You by Frank Sinatra
- Will Bayley and Janette Manrara dancing the Quickstep to Pencil Full of Lead by Paulo Nutini
- Catherine Tyldesley and Johannes Raebe dancing the Viennese Waltz to I Got You Babe by Sonny and Cher
- David James and Nadiya Bychkova dancing the Foxtrot to Three Lions by Baddiel, Skinner and the Lightning Seeds
- Dev Griffin and Dianne Buswell dancing the Foxtrot to Build Me Up Buttercup by The Foundations
- Emma Barton and Anton Du Beke dancing the Jive to Honey Honey by ABBA
- Mike Bushnell and Katya Jones dancing the Jive to Do You Love Me by The Contours
- James Cracknell and Luba Mushtuk dancing the Tango to Gold by Spandau Ballet
- Saffron Barker and AJ Pritchard dancing the Tango to Lips Are Moving by Meghan Trainor
- Kevin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse dancing the Samba to La Vida Es Un Carnaval by Celia Cruz
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