Strictly's Dani Dyer reunites with Nikita Kuzmin as she makes her comeback after ankle injury while House Of The Dragon star Bethany Antonia is in all-female pairing with Nancy Xu

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15 new celebrities descended on the Strictly Come Dancing dancefloor on Saturday night as the 24th series kicked off in spectacular style.

As the launch show got underway, fronted by new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, the dance partnerships were announced.

The celeb contestants were split into groups of five to take part in three specially-choreographed dance routines to find out their partner.

Dani Dyer, 30, returned for her second year after an ankle injury forced her to withdraw early in last year's competition.

She was reunited with her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, 28, whom she was paired with last year.

House of The Dragon actress and West End star Bethany Antonia, 28, partner was Nancy Xu, 35.

Dani Dyer made her return to Strictly after being forced to quit the 2025 series when she injured herself in rehearsals. Like last year she has been paired with Nikita Kuzmin

This year's partnerships include House of The Dragon actress and West End star Bethany Antonia with Nancy Xu

Bethany had requested a female dance partner after she was inspired by Nicola Adams and Katya Jones' coupling in 2020 as they helped with her coming out journey.

'That was life-changing for me - to see my family so supportive of an all-female couple and what that meant,' she said.

Nancy missed out on a partner last year so was delighted to be back in the competition once again.

Love Island star Cach Mercer, 25, has been paired with one of the five new Strictly pro dancers Maddie Ingoldsby.

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton, 43, is with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden.

Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem, 41, is with Kai Widdrington whilst dog trainer Graeme Hall, 59, is with Lauren Oakley.

Actress Jaime Winstone, 41, has been partnered with Carlos Gu, who will be hoping to replicate his 2025 win with Karen Carney.

Sports Youtuber John Nellis, 33, is with the show's longest-serving professional Katya Jones.

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, 38, has landed fan favourite Vito Coppola whilst Emmerdale's Lawrence Robb, 34, is with Jowita Przystał.

Australian singer and actress Delta Goodrem is with Kai Widdrington

Emmerdale's Lawrence Robb is with Jowita Przystał

Sports Youtuber John Nellis is with the show's longest-serving professional Katya Jones

Love Island star Cach Mercer has been paired with one of the five new Strictly pro dancers Maddie Ingoldsby

The oldest celebrity in the new series, Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters is in good hands with long-time pro Aljaž Škorjanec

Will Best is with show favourite Dianne Buswell, who lifted the Gitterball in 2024

Dog trainer Graeme Hall is with Lauren Oakley

Former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips is with Alexis Warr

Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey has been paired with Julian Caillon

Actress Jaime Winstone has been partnered with Carlos Gu, who will be hoping to replicate his 2025 win with Karen Carney

British skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker is with another new pro Mark Karmalita

Celebrity hairstylist Chris Appleton is with show veteran and fan favourite Amy Dowden

EastEnders actress Lacey Turner has landed fan favourite Vito Coppola

The launch featured a sizzling number introducing five new dancers: Lethabo Monametsi, Mark Karmalita, Maddie Ingoldsby, Aleksandra Isaeva and Cristian Priori

Before the pairings were revealed, all eyes were on the trio of new presenters. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe

The judges, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke then watched on as the celebs participated in a group dance with the professionals

The celeb contestants were split into groups of five to take part in three specially-choreographed dance routines to find out their partner

The oldest celebrity in the new series, Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters, 64, is in good hands with long-time pro Aljaž Škorjanec.

Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey, 48, has been paired with Julian Caillon whilst former footballer Shaun Wright-Phillips, 44, is with Alexis Warr.

British skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, 25, is with another new pro Mark Karmalita and Big Brother presenter Will Best, 41, is with show favourite Dianne Buswell, who lifted the Gitterball in 2024.

The judges, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke then watched on as the celebs participated in a group dance with the professionals.

Some pros have missed out on a partner, with Neil Jones said to be 'gutted' that he has once again been left without a celeb.

Neil joined the BBC dance competition in 2016 and has not been assigned a partner for seven of the ten years.

He was last paired with singer Toyah Willcox in 2024, where they lasted only two weeks before being eliminated.

Neil will now join the other dancers on the bench after he was injured in rehearsals this month.

Before the pairings were revealed, all eyes were on the trio of new presenters. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe have taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who departed the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series.

Earlier this week new host Josh admitted filming the launch show episode had left him feeling wiped out.

The comic, 43, explained on the latest episode of his and Rob Beckett's Parenting Hell podcast, that he was left drained after filming the show on September 9.

Josh admitted: "I'm not very well. I don't want to go too graphic, but I've got stomach problems. I just keep nedding a p***, and I'm constipated, and I've got stomach pains.'

He added: "I'm not stressed, I'm tired.'

'Full disclosure, we've done the launch show of Strictly on Wednesday. It went well. The next day, I don't think I've ever been so tired in my life, and I still don't feel like I've fully recovered.'

'Admittedly, I had a show in Dublin the next day, then I came back, and then I had a full-on weekend of parenting.'

Strictly continues with the first live show of Series 24 on Saturday, September 26.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'