Close Menu

    ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Couples Revealed

    Rachel DempsterBy

    ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ kicked off its fifteenth series in style, with a range of celebrities being coupled up with a professional dancer to compete on the show as the weeks go on. The launch show also featured performances from Shania Twain and Rita Ora. The professional dancers on the show also dedicated a poignant tribute to former presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth, who unfortunately passed away a few weeks ago.

    Here at CelebMix, we’ve got the lowdown on who’s coupled up with who on the show – we can’t wait to see the performances as the weeks go on!

    1. Gemma Atkinson and professional dancer Alijaz Skorjanec

    Radio presenter and ‘Emmerdale’ actress Gemma Atkinson has been paired up with professional dancer Alijaz Skorjanec. When asked what she ideally would like from a dance partner, Gemma said that she wants a partner who she ‘could get the job done with’ and ‘someone who won’t drop me.’ We are looking forward to seeing their dances on the show!

    2. Debbie McGee and professional dancer Giovanni Pernice

    Magic performer and presenter Debbie McGee has been partnered up with Giovanni Pernice. Her husband, Paul Daniels, appeared on the show in 2010, and Debbie will be dancing in memory of him, as he, unfortunately, passed away. She has previous dancing experience as she did ballet many years ago. She says ‘it will be interesting to see what comes back.’

    3. Chizzy Akudolu and professional dancer Pasha Kovalev

    Chizzy Akudolu – best known for playing Mo Effanga in hospital-based drama ‘Holby City’ – has been coupled up with professional dancer Pasha Kovalev. Prior to her time on the show, Chizzy seems excited at her ‘chance to have even more sequins!’ No doubt her performances will be a lot of fun each week, and we can’t wait to see what she brings to the show.

    4. Ruth Langsford and professional dancer Anton du Beke

    ‘This Morning’ host Ruth Langsford has been paired with professional dancer Anton du Beke. Ruth revealed that she would be appearing on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ live while presenting ‘This Morning.’ The pair seemed ecstatic to be coupled up with each other – a match made in ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ heaven!

    5. Aston Merrygold and professional dancer Janet Manrara

    Former JLS star Aston Merrygold has been partnered up with professional dancer Janet Manrara. His JLS dancing experience will no doubt be very different from what he will be doing on the ‘Strictly’ dancefloor each week! Aston said he ‘felt relieved’ after being partnered up with Janet, and they even demonstrated a lift, briefly showing viewers what can be expected from their performances each week.

    6. Reverend Richard Coles and professional dancer Dianne Buswell

    Reverend Richard Coles – Church of England priest, writer and broadcaster – has been paired up with new professional dancer Dianne Buswell. He is the first ever Vicar to appear on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’. He doesn’t sound too confident in his dancing abilities just yet, describing his dancing as ‘more of a spasm than movement at the moment.’

    7. Davood Ghadami and professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova

    Best known for playing Kush Kazemi in ‘Eastenders’, Davood Ghadami will be swapping his role in Albert Square for time on the ‘Strictly’ dancefloor! Speaking about his time on the show, Davood says that ‘having the opportunity to take part in this year’s Strictly is such an honour. It’s going to be exciting, challenging and terrifying all at once and I am so looking forward to stepping out of my comfort zone and learning to dance.’ He has been paired up with new professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova.

    8. Simon Rimmer and professional dancer Karen Clifton

    ‘Sunday Brunch’ co-presenter Simon Rimmer has been paired up with professional dancer Karen Clifton. When speaking about joining the show, he said that he was ‘so excited, terrified and proud to be invited to part of Strictly 2017. Nobody will try harder, have more fun or get more out of it than me. I can’t wait.’

    9. Charlotte Hawkins and professional dancer Brendan Cole

    ‘Good Morning Britain’ newsreader Charlotte Hawkins has been coupled up with professional dancer Brendan Cole. Speaking about being a contestant on the show this year, Charlotte said: ‘I am so thrilled to be one of the contestants on Strictly this year. I’ve always been a big fan of the show. It is a dream come true to be taking part and I’ll be following in the footsteps of my Good Morning Britain colleagues.’

    10. Mollie King and professional dancer AJ Pritchard

    Former Saturdays star Mollie King has been paired up with professional dancer AJ Pritchard. She was the first celebrity to be revealed for this year’s series. Mollie follows in the footsteps of band member Frankie Bridge, who appeared on the show a few years ago. Prior to finding out who she would be coupled up with, Mollie said that she was ‘so, so nervous, my tummy is doing somersaults.’

    https://twitter.com/MollieKing/status/906826605032505344

    11. Susan Calman and professional dancer Kevin Clifton

    Swapping stand-up comedy for sequins on the show, Susan Calman has been paired up with professional dancer Kevin Clifton. Following her finding out who her partner was, Susan began to cry and said that ‘she had dreamt about being on the show for years and dreamt of dancing with Kevin.’ She also said that she felt like she ‘had won the lottery.’

    12. Alexandra Burke and professional dancer Gorka Marquez

    Former ‘X Factor’ winner and actress Alexandra Burke has been partnered up with professional dancer Gorka Marquez. She said that being a contestant on the show ‘is a dream come true.’ Her partner Gorka said that he was ‘very happy’ with the pairing. Alexandra says she likes ‘anything fast and a little bit slow’ – we can’t wait to see their performances!

    13. Joe McFadden and professional dancer Katya Jones

    ‘Holby City’ actor Joe McFadden has been paired up with professional dancer Katya Jones. Speaking about joining the show, he said that ‘Strictly is one of the biggest, most entertaining shows on TV and being asked to be part of it is a once in a lifetime opportunity that I’m thrilled and terrified about in equal measures!’

    14. Jonnie Peacock and professional dancer Oti Mabuse

    When speaking about being a contestant on the show, he said that ‘the opportunity to be the first contestant with a disability to take part in Strictly’s main show was too good to turn down. I know this will be a challenge and a new experience. I can’t wait to see what I can achieve and how far I can push myself.’ The Paralympian has been paired up with Oti Mabuse.

    15. Brian Conley and professional dancer Amy Dowden

    Comedian, TV presenter and actor Brian Conley has been paired up with new professional dancer Amy Dowden. Speaking about the show, he says: ‘I’m delighted and honoured to be asked to strut my stuff on this year’s Strictly. My family all love the show and can’t wait to see me do my Dad dancing on national television. I know it’s going to be a lot of hard work but I’m up for the challenge, so bring on the spray tan and sequins!’

    The contestants and professional dancers danced to ‘Footloose’ – it was phenomenal! Check out the performance below:

    What do you think of this year’s couples on the show this year? Are you looking forward to the rest of the series? Make sure you tweet us and let us know: @CelebMix.

    Share.

    MORE news from CELEBMIX