Gemma Atkinson, Mollie King and Ruth Langsford glam up and show off their dance moves for the first time at Strictly Come Dancing launch night
GEMMA Atkinson, Mollie King and Ruth Langsford gave a sneak peek of their moves at tonight’s Strictly Come Dancing launch.
Promising glitz, glamour and plenty of sex appeal the stars strutted their stuff as they were seen in full Strictly regalia for the first time.
Leading the way was Emmerdale actress Gemma Atkinson who showed she’s ready for any challenge as she jumped on Brian Conley’s back.
Looking very excited and confident, the 32-year-old cheered as he made her entrance while wearing a plunging red number with tassels for the session, which involved shooting footage for the series opening credits.
But it was The Saturdays’ Mollie King, 30, who stole the show wearing a spectacular gold flapper dress that looked amazing as she made her entrance.
The star shimmied her way down the red carpet, making her tassels fly on her dress – creating quite the impression.
She was joined by Joe McFadden and the pair showed off some already rather impressive looking moves as the crowd watched on delighted.
Following close behind was This Morning host Ruth Langsford, 57, and Paul Daniels’ widow Debbie McGee, 58.
Ruth looked gorgeous in an indigo dress with a tasselled skirt, while Debbie’s bold pink and red number turned heads at the London venue.
Ruth – who has admitted nerves about the show – looked confident and very excited as she put on a show with Davood Ghadmi.
Their co-contestant Alexandra Burke, 28, looked amazing in her pale pink sparkly number as she posed on the red carpet.
And presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman had also scrubbed up well for the launch.
The pair were both wearing strapless blue gowns, while It Takes Two host Zoe Ball opted for a hot pink suit.
Good Morning Britain’s Charlotte Hawkins looked sensational in a bright blue dress as she joined the fun.
Also arriving at the venue for the first time were the judges – with brand new Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
Like the new contestants, the panel entered the studio doing some truly outrageous dancing that would not earn them any tens.
The male Strictly pros, including Anto Du Beke and Brendan Cole, were also in attendance.
They wore tuxedos with traditional white scarfs like those worn by ballroom stars in the 20s.
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The new series is set to kick off soon – on Saturday September 9 and it will be the first year without former Head Judge Len Goodman.
Charlotte Hawkins let slip that the launch show for the ballroom and latin programme will air then when she and her fellow all-star competitors are partnered up with the professionals.
The 42-year-old presenter made the announcement while presenting Good Morning Britain last week alongside Richard Madeley but, although the launch show will hit screens at the beginning of September, the series won’t officially start until the end of the month.
The new series will also feature a special tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth – who sadly passed away at the age of 89 last week – and the dancer have already started rehearsing the “heartfelt” performance to celebrate his life and his 10 years co-hosting the programme.
Louise Rainbow, the show’s executive producer, said: “The thoughts of everyone here are still very much with Sir Bruce’s family.
“Of course, we will be paying tribute to Sir Bruce at our launch show and this will include a heartfelt performance from our Strictlyprofessional dancers.
“We all want to celebrate him and all that he loved about the show. Sir Bruce was, and will always be, a huge part of ‘StrictlyCome Dancing’.”
Bruce is survived by his wife Lady Wilnelia Forsyth and his six children – daughters Debbie, Julie and Laura from his first marriage with Penny Calvert, Charlotte and Louisa with his second spouse Anthea Redfern and a son with Wilnelia – as well as nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.
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