Strictly judges show young professional how it’s done as they dust off dancing shoes on launch show

THE Strictly judges will be seen dusting off their dance shoes on tomorrow night's launch show – and teaching the young pros and contestants how it’s done.

The fab four of Anton du Beke, 57, Craig Revel Horwood, 58, Motsi Mabuse, 42, and head judge Shirley Ballas, 63, will take centre stage in the sensational opening routine.

And though it proved a challenge for them all, they each proudly displayed the skills that prove they deserve their places on the panel of the BBC1 dance competition.

Shirley, who performs to Rita Ora’s Praising You, said: “The audience is in for a real treat. My dance shoes are back out and it feels amazing. I’ve been put through my paces.

“But to be dancing with my fellow judges and the professional dancers is a feeling like no other.”

With distinct hints of musicals including Chicago and Moulin Rouge, the judges delivered the “House of Strictly” routine — the likes of which has never been seen on the show.

All four were joined by the rest of the troupe in daring outfits for the choreographed mini-show, which, by Strictly standards, was incredibly lengthy.

Anton, who danced to Michael Buble’s Higher, said: “It’s an amazingly brilliant number.

“I’m really delighted that we’re doing something and my fellow judges are on great form as well.

“Everyone is in great shape and everyone is dancing well, and it’s just a really fantastic number, it genuinely is. It felt a bit like being back in a pro number. I am on a podium — it’s exciting.”

Meanwhile, Motsi — whose soundtrack was Afraid To Feel by LF System — said: “You think you’ve retired and you’re never going to dance again and you’ve done it all.

“But then Strictly calls and the shoes are back on. I think the audience loves to see the judges dancing. It’s going to be a big celebration.”

Craig, who picked Kylie Minogue’s Padam Padam for his number, said: “It’s very exciting. I’m doing an assisted backward walk over darling, which I’ve never done before. Its when you drop into two boys’ arms, flip over and land — hopefully — on your feet.

“So that’ll be good fun. It’s really stylized. I really love the music and it’s a compilation and it’s all four judges going up against each other.”

The celeb and pro dancer pairings will also be revealed tonight, though none of the duos will actually perform or compete for viewers’ votes.

The contest kicks off in earnest next week, when the couples take to the Strictly floor for the first time.

The show’s expert dancers posed for a group photo featuring pro Amy Dowden, 33, who is absent this series as she is undergoing treatment for breast cancer.

A TV insider said: Although she doesn’t feature on tonight’s show, the other dancers wanted her included in the image to remind her she is still very much part of the Strictly family.”

A host of fresh hopefuls are ready to battle it out for the coveted Glitterball trophy.

They include oldest contestant ever, broadcaster Angela Rippon, 78, documentary maker Zara McDermott, 26, Emmerdale actor Adam Thomas, 35, and EastEnders star Bobby Brazier, 20.