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".
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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