The long-awaited partnerships have been revealed for Strictly Come Dancing, and it’s the primary time within the present’s historical past that two same-sex {couples} will take to the ground.
Strictly will start with the primary stay present on Saturday, the place followers will lastly get to see this yr’s cohort of celebrities and their skilled dance companions compete towards each other.
In addition to 15 new celebrities taking to the dancefloor, there will probably be a number of new faces among the many professionals – however hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will probably be returning for the twentieth collection of the hit present.
Additionally returning are the judging panel, consisting of Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Listed here are all of Strictly’s 2022 partnerships:
Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin
Paralympian Ellie is about to take the ground with Nikita Kuzmin, with changes being made to their routines.
She beforehand revealed: ‘He’s by no means danced this with anybody with dwarfism earlier than and I’ve by no means ever danced earlier than in my life.
‘So we stated to one another we’re simply gonna see how it’s, you realize, adapt. Like if I’ve to carry him otherwise, I’ll maintain him otherwise.
‘It is perhaps so totally different however I feel if I can do it, which is totally out of my consolation zone, individuals watching from dwelling can realise they will adapt,’
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
Comic Ellie is paired with Johannes – and the couple are positive to make a severe impression on the dancefloor, fulfilling considered one of Ellie’s desires to be on the present.
She beforehand stated: ‘I’ve needed to do it perpetually. I’m so happy I can’t wait. I’d love to seek out the enjoyment in dance that individuals have.’
Earlier than her partnership with Johannes was confirmed Ellie joked: ‘I need somebody who’s affected person. I want a tall affected person particular person, so anybody actually.’
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Singer and radio host Fleur will probably be competing with considered one of Strictly’s new professionals, Vito, who will probably be making her debut on the present.
Fleur has been hotly tipped as a possible winner of the present earlier than the primary episode has even aired, and she or he signed up in honour of her late father who was an enormous fan of the present.
She beforehand defined: ‘For me it’s sentimental as a result of my dad, who handed away in 2020, Strictly was his favorite present.
‘I’m simply going to be doing it for him. I’m gutted he can’t see me do it, however I’m going to maintain him in thoughts after I’m doing the present. My household for that cause are going to be buzzing.’
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Coutnryfile presenter Hamza Yassin will probably be taking the ground with Jowita, and he’s excited to point out off the strikes he’s studying.
He beforehand stated: ‘I’m completely over the moon to be becoming a member of Strictly 2022. By no means in one million years did I feel I’d be on such a cool present.
’I’ve been watching it for years and I can’t consider I’ll truly be there dancing stay in entrance of the British public.’
Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez
Helen and Gorka are set to crew up for this yr’s competitors and the Countryfile presenter has admitted the bodily closeness will probably be a hurdle for her.
She beforehand defined: ‘I’m not that sensitive feely, so I feel the bodily closeness I’ll must have with my companion will take a little bit of getting used to!’
James Bye and Amy Dowden
EastEnders star James will probably be leaving his market stall on Albert Sq. behind in favour of sequins and sparkles.
He beforehand joked that his youngsters aren’t impressed together with his strikes, explaining: ‘I’m not recognized for my shimmy or my twinkle toes – the truth is my youngsters recurrently snigger at my dad dancing nevertheless it’s an honour to be requested and I’m going to present it my greatest shot.
’There are some enormous dance footwear to fill and it’s actually thrilling to comply with within the footsteps of some superb EastEnders expertise. I’d like to do everybody proud.’
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Comic and actress Jayde Adams will kind a part of considered one of Strictly’s same-sex partnerships alongside Karen Hauer.
Collaborating within the present has been one thing of a life-long dream for Jayde, who admitted: ‘Since I watched the primary collection in 2004, I really feel like each step I’ve taken in my profession during the last 11 years was to be on Strictly.
‘I can’t start to specific the feelings I’m feeling, this implies a lot to me and my household. I’ve at all times watched it, other than a short hiatus in 2011 as I used to be relentlessly gigging each weekend (to attempt to get on Strictly).’
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Kaye and Kai are set to tear up the dance ground collectively this collection, however the Unfastened Girls star admitted she worries about embarrassing herself on the present.
She revealed: ‘A pal of mine is a choreographer so he’s exhibiting me a number of the fundamental steps and in addition making me disco dance across the room “like nobody is watching.” He says I’ve to get used to feeling silly!’
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Kym will probably be paired with Graziano as they compete for the glitter ball – however the Coronation Avenue star has by no means been in a position to participate earlier than attributable to scheduling conflicts.
She defined: ‘I’ve thought-about doing Strictly for years however the timings by no means labored out. I’m so delighted that this yr they’ve!
‘I’m an enormous fan of the present and may’t consider I’m going to go from watching at dwelling in my pyjamas to really dancing in entrance of the judges in a glittery gown, it’s unreal!’
Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova
Matt will probably be taking the ground with Nadiya however the Bros star has discovered coaching far tougher than he was anticipating.
He admitted: ‘It’s the largest false impression [that musicians have an advantage] as a result of what we do is instinctual, we’re instructed we have now to maneuver right here and go there.
‘We perceive music, however the self-discipline of being instructed the place to go goes towards all the things we’ve learnt. I assumed I’d have a bonus, however I used to be instantly humbled.’
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
CBBC star Molly is the youngest star participating at simply 21, and will probably be dancing with new skilled Carlos on this yr’s competitors.
She beforehand revealed: ‘I used to be fearful that individuals would have a preconception that as a result of I carry out, I can dance, however I can guarantee you, it’s not the case.
‘I really feel like that might give individuals an expectation that I’m going to be dancer, which is a strain – that’s a little bit bit scary.’
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
The second of this yr’s same-sex partnerships will include Richie and Giovanni, who will probably be taking the ground collectively.
Richie revealed that final yr’s all-male pairing of John Whaite and Johannes Radebe impressed him to comply with of their footsteps.
He revealed: ‘On a severe observe, watching John and Johannes final yr gave me the boldness to be in an all-male partnership this yr.
‘I’m so glad I’m doing it. I simply felt a lot inspiration. I want I might have seen that on TV rising up, after I was rising up as an adolescent and always attempting to find what I used to be and what I wasn’t.’
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Former Arsenal star Tony will probably be paired with Katya because the couple make their bid for the glitter ball trophy.
The soccer legend had beforehand been approached for the present in 2016 however believes now could be the best time for him to participate.
He defined: ‘I’m 26 years with out ingesting and medicines, so I wish to deliver some psychological well being and habit consciousness round life and what I do at this time.
‘Dance is all a part of the method; we used dance remedy in rehab, and I assumed “go for it.”’
He continued: ‘I had a psychological breakdown at 49. My new habit is working too exhausting, so now I wish to take issues after Strictly. You are able to do something whenever you’re freed from habit.’
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Kiss radio presenter Tyler has been paired with Dianne for this yr’s present – and the couple are going to present it their all within the competitors.
He beforehand stated: ‘I’m SO gassed to be becoming a member of the Strictly household! As I began scripting this I already bought cramp.
‘It’s going to be one loopy unimaginable journey which can little question be SO far outdoors my consolation zone.
’It’s a present meaning a lot to me and my household and I can’t wait to noticeably shake a leg on that shiny dance ground… with a facet of sequins.’
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Two Pints of Lager and a Packet of Crisps star Will will probably be paired with Nancy for this yr’s competitors.
He revealed the particular cause he selected to do the present: ‘I misplaced my dad in 2020 and I simply thought from then I’ve simply bought to seize life and I’ve bought to do issues and I’ve bought to create new reminiscences and my mindset modified, and that’s kind of one of many the reason why.
‘It’s my mum’s favorite present so she’s had it actually robust over the previous few years so I assumed we’ll do that.’
Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday at 6.10pm on BBC One.
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