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DREAM COME TRUE

Gemma Atkinson screams with delight as she’s paired with handsome Aljaz Skorjanec as Strictly pairs are finally revealed

ACTRESS Gemma Atkinson squealed with delight when she was paired with hunky Aljaz Skorjanec.

Running towards him during the launch show, she told Tess Daly that having the handsome Slovenian as a partner was "every girl's dream".

Gemma Atkinson says being partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec is 'every girl's dream'
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Gemma Atkinson says being partnered with Aljaz Skorjanec is 'every girl's dream'Credit: BBC
Paralympian Jonnie Peacock beams as he's paired with Oti Mabuse
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Paralympian Jonnie Peacock beams as he's paired with Oti MabuseCredit: BBC
Ruth Langsford has been paired with Anton Du Beke on Strictly Come Dancing
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Ruth Langsford has been paired with Anton Du Beke on Strictly Come DancingCredit: BBC
Charlotte Hawkins was matched with Brendan Cole
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Charlotte Hawkins was matched with Brendan ColeCredit: BBC
EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami was paired with new female professional Nadiya Bychkova
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EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami was paired with new female professional Nadiya BychkovaCredit: BBC
The celebrities were anxious to find out who they were dancing with
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The celebrities were anxious to find out who they were dancing withCredit: BBC

Aljaz recently married fellow pro Janette Manrara, which puts an end to Gemma's hopes of finding love on the show.

As for Janette, she landed herself a pocket rocket in the form of JLS singer Aston Merrygold, with the pair sharing an excitable embrace after their names were called out.

Ruth Langsford landed herself the king of ballroom himself, Anton Du Beke and looked delighted to have landed one of the show's original pros.

Anton - who has been on the show since it began in 2004 - beamed from ear to ear after discovering he would be dancing with 57-year-old Ruth.

The show's only other original pro - Brendan Cole - also looked thrilled to have been partnered with Good Morning Britain's Charlotte Hawkins.

The 42-year-old wrapped her arms around the former 'bad boy of ballroom' before they headed off the dance floor together.

This year sees three new female professionals join the show, with EastEnders actor Davood Ghadami being one of the lucky men to land one after being paired with Nadiya Bychkova.

Fellow newbie Amy Dowden discovered Brian Conley would be her new partner while Dianne Buswell will train Rev. Richard Coles.

Brian Conley was paired with new girl Amy Dowden
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Brian Conley was paired with new girl Amy DowdenCredit: BBC
Fellow newbie will train the Rev. Richard Coles
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Fellow newbie will train the Rev. Richard ColesCredit: BBC
The three new girls were introduced on the launch show
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The three new girls were introduced on the launch showCredit: BBC

Keep Dancing! Strictly pairs revealed

We reveal all the Strictly Come Dancing partnerships for 2017.

  • Jonnie Peacock and Oti Mabuse
  • Gemma Atkinson and Aljaz Skorjanec
  • Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice
  • Chizzy Akudolu with Pasha Kovalev
  • Ruth Langsford and Anton du Beke
  • Aston Merrygold and Janette Manrara
  • Brian Conley and Amy Dowden
  • Richard Coles and Dianne Buswell
  • Joseph McFadden and Katya Jones
  • Davood Ghadami and Nadiya Bychkova
  • Simon Rimmer and Karen Clifton
  • Alexandra Burke and Gorka Marquez
  • Charlotte Hawkins and Brendan Cole
  • Mollie King and A.J. Pritchard
  • Susan Calman and Kevin Clifton
They also made a spectacular entrance during the professional's routine
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They also made a spectacular entrance during the professional's routineCredit: BBC

 

Aston Merrygold was excited to be paired with Janette Manrara
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Aston Merrygold was excited to be paired with Janette ManraraCredit: BBC
Alexandra Burke looked thrilled with her dance partner Gorka Marquez
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Alexandra Burke looked thrilled with her dance partner Gorka MarquezCredit: BBC

Fellow singer Alexandra Burke will perform with Gorka Marquez, while Saturdays star Mollie King landed herself one of the youngest male professionals, AJ Pritchard.

Last year's finalist Kevin Clifton will share his knowledge of dance with comedian Susan Calman, who looked emotional and overwhelmed as he wrapped his arm around her shoulders.

Mollie King will dance with AJ Pritchard
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Mollie King will dance with AJ PritchardCredit: BBC
Susan Calman looked emotional as she was paired with Kevin Clifton
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Susan Calman looked emotional as she was paired with Kevin CliftonCredit: BBC

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Kevin's wife Karen Clifton was put with Sunday Brunch's Simon Rimmer, with Karen giving him an encouraging hug as they chatted to host Tess Daly.

Ed Balls' partner from last year, Katya Jones, looked thrilled to be paired with Holby City's Joe McFadden.

Simon Rimmer will dance with Karen Clifton
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Simon Rimmer will dance with Karen CliftonCredit: BBC
Joe McFadden was paired with Katya Jones
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Joe McFadden was paired with Katya JonesCredit: BBC
Chizzy Akudolu has also been paired with a former champ, Pasha Kovalev
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Chizzy Akudolu has also been paired with a former champ, Pasha KovalevCredit: BBC
Meanwhile Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice will dance together
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Meanwhile Debbie McGee and Giovanni Pernice will dance togetherCredit: BBC

Joe's Holby City co-star Chizzy Akudolu looked delighted to have landed former champ Pasha Kovalev while Debbie McGee was paired with Giovanni Pernice.

As well as the coupling ups, viewers were treated to a typically flamboyant opening number by the professionals, as well as a touching tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth following his death last month.

Strictly stars on hopes and fears

  • Mollie King: I want to feel like a princess on Strictly. I’m having lots of fun with the costumes.
  • Gemma Atkinson: It’s nerve-wracking dancing justfor a partner, never mind anyone else.
  • Aston Merrygold: If my pregnant girlfriend’s waters break I won’t finish the dance. I’ll be straight out, let’s go!
  • Ruth Langsford: I hope Eamonn and I are immune from the Strictly curse. I’ve no intention of waltzing off with a dancer.
  • Rev Richard Coles: I’ll only be flashing modest parts because I’ve got so much flesh to flash, it’s best to
    keep it in.
  • Brian Conley: My wife can’t wait for the Strictly curse. She said , ‘ Go and do it! ’ I’m old enough to be their grandad.
Viewers were wowed by the professional dance routines
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Viewers were wowed by the professional dance routinesCredit: BBC
The professionals also paid tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth on the show
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 The professionals also paid tribute to Sir Bruce Forsyth on the showCredit: BBC
The show is back with a bang
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The show is back with a bangCredit: BBC
The professionals showed off their moves
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The professionals showed off their movesCredit: BBC
The celebrities watched on as the professionals performed
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The celebrities watched on as the professionals performedCredit: BBC

The three new female professionals also had the chance to make their big entrance, coming down from the ceiling clinging on to green strips of fabric.

Also making impressive entrances were the judges, with Darcey Bussell descending from the ceiling on a large hoop, while new head judge Shirley Ballas showed off her dance moves and amazing legs in a short red mini dress.

The judges made impressive entrances too
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The judges made impressive entrances tooCredit: BBC
New head judge Shirley Ballas showed off her moves and amazing legs
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New head judge Shirley Ballas showed off her moves and amazing legsCredit: BBC
Craig Revel Horwood looked delighted to be back
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Craig Revel Horwood looked delighted to be backCredit: BBC
The celebrities also performed a group dance
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The celebrities also performed a group danceCredit: BBC
Balloons and streamers rained down at the end of the dance routine
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Balloons and streamers rained down at the end of the dance routineCredit: BBC

It was then the celebrities turn to take to the floor for an energetic group dance, with balloons and streamers falling from the ceiling at the end.

Musical performances also came from Shania Twain and Rita Ora while last year's champs Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton performed their showstopping jive one last time.

Shania Twain performed on the show
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Shania Twain performed on the showCredit: BBC
The singer looked sensational in an all black ensemble
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The singer looked sensational in an all black ensembleCredit: BBC
Rita Ora also performed on the launch show
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Rita Ora also performed on the launch showCredit: BBC
Rita put her all into her performance
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Rita put her all into her performanceCredit: BBC
Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton returned to perform their jive
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Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton returned to perform their jiveCredit: BBC
Last year's winners performed together for the final time
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Last year's winners performed together for the final timeCredit: BBC

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