Strictly Come Dancing’s launch date has been confirmed for just days away, with the first show set to air on BBC One on Saturday 14, September.
The first live show will take place the following week, on September 21.
With just a week to go until the professionals and celebrities will be seen on screen, Dianne Buswell led the stars heading to Elstree Studios on Wednesday for last-minute rehearsals.
The red-haired ballroom dancer, 35, looked like she meant business as she walked out of her London hotel in a pair of jeans and a fitted black top.
She finished off her look with a brown leather satchel and slung a black, neon pink and red jacket over her arm.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell, 35, looked sensational as she made her way to filming in Elstree Studios on Wednesday after the launch show date was confirmed
Also spotted heading in to the Studios was singer turned Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward, 39, who looked ready for a work out in a blue vest top and matching tracksuit bottoms
Also spotted heading in was singer turned Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward.
The amateur dancer, 39, looked like he was ready for a workout in a blue vest top and matching tracksuit bottoms and kit bag.
He pushed his brown curly hair back with a headband and added a mint green cardigan over his casual look as he threw up a thumbs up to fans outside.
Pete Wicks cut a casual figure as he joined his fellow contestants for a day of rehearsals and filming.
The former TOWIE star, 36, donned a pair of paint splattered grey trousers and a white T-shirt underneath an off-black leather jacket.
He covered his eyes with a pair of brown sun glasses as he carried along a silver suitcase and a black and grey duffel bag out of the London hotel.
Toya Wilcox, 66, was dressed all in black with a neon pink jacket tied round her waist as she was seen climbing out of a car.
The presenter went make-up free to greet the stars ahead of the competition.
Dr Punam Krishan was all smiles as she walked out in a pair of black leggings and an oversized T-shirt underneath a light denim jacket.
The TV presenter and GP carried a large cream tote bag over her shoulder as she joined her cast mates.
Pete Wicks, 36, donned a pair of paint splattered grey trousers and a white T-shirt underneath an off-black leather jacket as he carried two bags out of his London hotel
Toya Wilcox, 66, went make-up free in her all in black outfit with a neon pink jacket tied round her waist as she was seen climbing out of a car
Dr Punam Krishan was all smiles as she walked out in a pair of black leggings and an oversized T- shirt underneath a light denim jacket
Aljaž Škorjanec seemed cheery as he arrived in a Paris Olympics top, flashing photographers a thumbs up as he headed to the car still wearing his white hotel slippers
Nancy Xu looked chic in an oversized blue utility jacket and cream trousers as she clutched a coffee cup and her phone as she made her way over to the contestants
Elsewhere, Aljaž Škorjanec seemed cheery as he arrived in a Paris Olympics top, flashing photographers a thumbs up as he headed to the car still wearing his white hotel slippers.
The BBC flagship show has been plagued for months by allegations of ‘bullying’ and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima to their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
An investigation was launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni by former participant Amanda, with the results yet to be made public. Pernice rejects the allegations.
Fellow dancer Graziano has also left the show.
As a result, professionals set to appear this year include the likes of last year’s winner, Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin.
Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas complete the line up.
Amy Dowden is returning to the show after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023, when she found a lump the day before her honeymoon, and missed out on having a celebrity partner in that year’s series of Strictly.
The 34-year-old announced in February that she would return to the show this year, after a mastectomy and chemotherapy left her with ‘no evidence of disease’ following tests.
The launch show of Strictly’s 20th anniversary series will see the dancers perform an ’empowering’ routine to celebrate Amy’s return, and will also see its celebrity contestants paired with their dancing partners.
Strictly’s launch show airs Saturday 14 September at 7.20pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’