TILLY Ramsay & Tom Fletcher are among the famous names who took to the dancefloor for the first time during Saturday’s Strictly 2021 launch.
As the new celebrity contestants, Greg Wise was paired up with Karen Hauer. Their professional partners were also revealed.
The 15 celebrities, who include Olympian Adam Peaty, rugby star Ugo Monye and TV presenter Judi Love, made their debut on the dancefloor during a group number.
Emma Thompson is Greg’s wife and he had his Reggae robot dance causing a riot among the audience.
And Dan Walker sang the praises of his pro partner Nadiya Bychkova – who patiently waited hours for him as he attended A&E following a head injury.
The BBC news presenter said: “I hope you all get to know Nadiya a bit too. She’s really funny and such a great teacher. We’ve had a real giggle already and the partnership was cemented when she waited for hours for me in A & E the other day.”
Also competing is EastEnders actress Nina Wadia, TV presenter AJ Odudu, Dragons’ Den investor Sara Davies, McFly star Tom Fletcher, Coronation Street actress Katie McGlynn, TV presenter Tilly Ramsay, comedian Robert Webb, CBBC host Rhys Stephenson and actor Greg Wise.
EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis is also the first deaf contestant to appear in the series.
CONCERNS RAISED ABOUT RETURN OF LIVE STUDIO AUDIENCE
Concerns have also been raised about the return of a live studio audience.
Hundreds of fans will have front-row seats for Strictly’s star-studded 19th series.
After a positive test, BBC chiefs are dealing with a Covid crisis. They were rushed to isolation, with their celeb partner likely to find a new companion.
The source added: “Strictly already has to jump through hoops just to be able to broadcast.
“The dancers who won’t get vaccinated have been a topic of conversation among cast and crew for weeks — even before the positive test.
“There were vocal protests from celebrities that they didn’t want to be paired with them.
NEW STRICTLY ODDS FROM BETVICTOR
Following last night’s announcements of the celebrity and professional dancer match-ups, Betvictor have updated their odds.
Since Rose Ayling-Ellis announced she’s paired up with Giovanni Pernice, she is now the clear frontrunner to win the competition.
The top five favourites are:
- Rose Ayling-Ellis 4/1
- Tom Fletcher 7/1
- Rhys Stephenson 4/1
- Robert Webb 8/1
- AJ Odudu 12/1
EMMA THOMPSON GAVE HUSBAND GREG WISE A BOX OF CONDOMS – IN CASE HE SUCCUMBS TO STRICTLY CURSE
Emma Thompson gave hubby Greg Wise condoms in case he succumbs to the Strictly “curse” and cheats with dance partner Karen Hauer.
The Oscar-winning actress, 62 years old, admitted that she was worried about Greg, 55, an actor who played Lord Mountbatten on Netflix’s The Crown.
Emma, who married Greg 18 years ago, said: “I am worried about the Strictly curse, very much so. I have put a packet of Durex into Greg’s good luck card. There are only two. But you don’t know, do you?
“They haven’t got time for a lot of shagging, I hope, they’ll be so exhausted. I will not be attending the show every week.
“Karen’s gorgeous, she’s from Venezuela and is only 39.”
SHIRLEY BALLAS INSISTS SHE WILL NOT GO EASY ON DAN WALKER
With eyebrows raised as to whether or not San Walker would get special treatment from Shirley, she insisted she would NOT go easy on him.
He recalled of their time climbing the mountain: “On one particular occasion Shirley was feeling a bit down and a bit upset.
“I nicked one of the blankets we were using to keep warm at night and I did a bit of impromptu pasodoble. She laughed her head off.
“I questioned whether I would’ve got a 10 but she continued to laugh, so I’m not sure the technique was great.”
DAN REVEALS CLOSE BOND WITH HEAD JUDGE SHIRLEY BALLAS DURING STRICTLY LAUNCH SHOW
Dan revealed their close bond at the launch of the new Strictly series this weekend as he “looked forward to seeing” Shirley again.
“We had some great conversations on that trip. I really got to know her well. I’m looking forward to seeing her,” he explained.
“We’ve had a few Kilimanjaro reunions. She’s great, talented and knows what she is talking about.”
DAN WALKER SAYS HE IS CLOSE FRIENDS WITH SHIRLEY BALLAS
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Dan Walker has controversially admitted he is close friends with head judge Shirley Ballas.
The BBC Breakfast star has risked fuelling a favouritism row after admitting the pair have been friends since they met on Comic Relief in 2019.
Dan, 44, made his debut on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night as it was revealed he is to dance alongside pro partner Nadiya Bychkova.
But the telly host has already risked getting himself in hot water after he admitted he is close pals with one of the Strictly judges.
He and head judge Shirley, 61, have been friends for two years after they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania together for Comic Relief.
GREG WISE’S DAUGHTER GAIA SAYS DAD ‘HAS SIX-PACK AND WILL TAKE HIS TOP OFF’ IF NEEDED
Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter Gaia, 21, added that her dad would be prepared to perform shirtless because he has a six-pack.
At the Icon Ball for London Fashion Week on Friday night, she said: “He has a six-pack and will take his top off if he is needed to.”
Greg has asked for advice from last year’s winner, Bill Bailey, 56.
He said: “Bill was very useful. One of the things he told me is to get my patent leather ballroom shoes ready and wear them around the house.
“He had a problem with blisters on his heel over the run.”
ROSE BLOSSOMING
Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis, Tom Fletcher and Rhys Stephenson and have been predicted to be front runners for the competition.
That’s according to Betvictor who have generated odds on which celebs are most likely to win before the celebs have even had a chance to break a sweat.
EMMA THOMPSON GAVE HUSBAND GREG WISE A BOX OF CONDOMS – IN CASE HE SUCCUMBS TO STRICTLY CURSE
Emma Thompson gave hubby Greg Wise condoms in case he succumbs to the Strictly “curse” and cheats with dance partner Karen Hauer.
The Oscar-winning actress, 62, has confessed she is concerned actor Greg, 55, who starred as Lord Mountbatten in Netflix drama The Crown, could ditch her for the younger Latino champ.
Emma, who married Greg 18 years ago, said: “I am worried about the Strictly curse, very much so. I have put a packet of Durex into Greg’s good luck card. Just two. But you don’t know, do you?
“They haven’t got time for a lot of shagging, I hope, they’ll be so exhausted. I am not going to the show every week.
“Karen’s gorgeous, she’s from Venezuela and is only 39.”
FURIOUS STRICTLY FANS SPOT CLUE SHOW IS ‘SETTING NINA WADIA UP TO FAIL’
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left enraged after Nina Wadia’s first dance was revealed in last night’s launch show.
Viewers saw 15 celebrities partner up with their professional dance coaches.
Some partnerships also shared what the first dance will be in next week’s show. Viewers saw EastEnders actress Nina partner up with Neil Jones.
Thrilled about the match, Nina told viewers: “I cannot wait to get stuck in and find out what my first dance is.”
But, when Neil revealed to Nina their first dance was the samba, the audience booed and Nina was left open-mouthed.
Nina said: “That’s hard isn’t it?”
WHO ARE THE FOUR NEW STRICTLY PROFESSIONAL DANCERS?
There are four new dancers joining the line-up: Kai Widdrington, from the Irish version of Dancing With The Stars, former Let’s Dance Germany professional Nikita Kuzmin, reigning South African Latin champion Cameron Lombard, and The Greatest Dancer winner Jowita Przystal.
WHO IS IN THE STRICTLY 2021 LINE UP?
What a lively, sorry, lovely bunch.
Ladies and gents – your Strictly 2021 line-up:
- Robert Webb
- AJ Odudu
- Tom Fletcher
- Nina Wadia
- Greg Wise
- Tilly Ramsay
- Judi Love
- Adam Peaty
- Dan Walker
- Katie McGlynn
- John Whaite
- Rose Ayling-Ellis
- Rhys Stephenson
- Sara Davies
- Ugo Monye
GOOD VIBRATIONS
Strictly’s first deaf contestant Rose herself has explained how she will be able to pick up the beat of the music so that she can dance in time to the music on the show.
The actress told BBC News: “It is a common misconception that deaf people can’t enjoy music.
“I have a hearing aid, so I pick up some of the music and I can hear the beat. I can hear someone singing, but I can’t identify the exact words. I also feel the vibrations.”
ROSE BLOSSOMING
Strictly’s Rose Ayling-Ellis, Tom Fletcher and Rhys Stephenson and have been predicted to be front runners for the competition.
That’s according to Betvictor who have generated odds on which celebs are most likely to win before the celebs have even had a chance to break a sweat.
GREG WISE’S DAUGHTER GAIA SAYS DAD ‘HAS SIX-PACK AND WILL TAKE HIS TOP OFF’ IF NEEDED
Meanwhile, the couple’s daughter Gaia, 21, added that her dad would be prepared to perform shirtless because he has a six-pack.
At the Icon Ball for London Fashion Week on Friday night, she said: “He has a six-pack and will take his top off if he is needed to.”
Greg has asked for advice from last year’s winner, Bill Bailey, 56.
He said: “Bill was very useful. One of the things he told me is to get my patent leather ballroom shoes ready and wear them around the house.
“He had a problem with blisters on his heel over the run.”
EMMA THOMPSON GAVE HUSBAND GREG WISE A BOX OF CONDOMS – IN CASE HE SUCCUMBS TO STRICTLY CURSE
Emma Thompson gave hubby Greg Wise condoms in case he succumbs to the Strictly “curse” and cheats with dance partner Karen Hauer.
The Oscar-winning actress, 62, has confessed she is concerned actor Greg, 55, who starred as Lord Mountbatten in Netflix drama The Crown, could ditch her for the younger Latino champ.
Emma, who married Greg 18 years ago, said: “I am worried about the Strictly curse, very much so. I have put a packet of Durex into Greg’s good luck card. Just two. But you don’t know, do you?
“They haven’t got time for a lot of shagging, I hope, they’ll be so exhausted. I am not going to the show every week.
“Karen’s gorgeous, she’s from Venezuela and is only 39.”
SHIRLEY BALLAS INSISTS SHE WILL NOT GO EASY ON DAN WALKER
With eyebrows raised as to whether or not San Walker would get special treatment from Shirley, she insisted she would NOT go easy on him.
He said that Shirley felt down and upset on one occasion while they were climbing the mountain.
“I grabbed one of the blankets to keep warm at nights and did some spontaneous pasodoble. She giggled her head off.
“I questioned whether I would’ve got a 10 but she continued to laugh, so I’m not sure the technique was great.”
DAN REVEALS CLOSE BOND WITH HEAD JUDGE SHIRLEY BALLAS DURING STRICTLY LAUNCH SHOW
Dan revealed their close bond at the launch of the new Strictly series this weekend as he “looked forward to seeing” Shirley again.
“We had some great conversations on that trip. I really got to know her well. I’m looking forward to seeing her,” He explained.
“We’ve had a few Kilimanjaro reunions. She’s great, talented and knows what she is talking about.”
DAN WALKER SAYS HE IS CLOSE FRIENDS WITH SHIRLEY BALLAS
STRICTLY Come Dancing star Dan Walker has controversially admitted he is close friends with head judge Shirley Ballas.
The BBC Breakfast star has admitted that he and Shirley Ballas have been close friends since their meeting on Comic Relief 2019.
Dan, 44, made his debut on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday night as it was revealed he is to dance alongside pro partner Nadiya Bychkova.
The telly host is already in trouble after admitting that he is close friends with one of the Strictly judges.
He and head judge Shirley, 61, have been friends for two years after they climbed Mount Kilimanjaro in Tanzania together for Comic Relief.
NEW STRICTLY ODDS FROM BETVICTOR
Following last night’s announcements of the celebrity and professional dancer match-ups, Betvictor have updated their odds.
Since Rose Ayling-Ellis announced she’s paired up with Giovanni Pernice, she is now the clear frontrunner to win the competition.
The top five favourites are:
- Rose Ayling-Ellis 4/1
- Tom Fletcher 7/1
- Rhys Stephenson 4/1
- Robert Webb 8/1
- AJ Odudu 12/1
RECAP: WHAT HAPPENED DURING YESTERDAY’S LAUNCH SHOW?
The 15 celebrities officially revealed their dance partners for this year’s show as part of a glittering launch show yesterday.
Other key moments from the launch episode include:
- Anton Du Beke made his debut as a full-time judge and receive a standing ovation from the studio audience.
- Last year’s winners Bill Bailey and Mabuse revisited their routine to Rapper’s Delight by the Sugarhill Gang
- Anne-Marie performed her single Kiss My (Uh-Oh)
- Celebs danced on the ballroom floor with their partners for the first time in group number
FURIOUS STRICTLY FANS SPOT CLUE SHOW IS ‘SETTING NINA WADIA UP TO FAIL’
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans were left enraged after Nina Wadia’s first dance was revealed in last night’s launch show.
15 stars teamed up with their professional dance instructors.
Some couples also agreed on the first dance for next week’s show. Viewers saw EastEnders actress Nina partner up with Neil Jones.
Thrilled about the match, Nina told viewers: “I cannot wait to get stuck in and find out what my first dance is.”
But, when Neil revealed to Nina their first dance was the samba, the audience booed and Nina was left open-mouthed.
Nina said: “That’s hard isn’t it?”
WHO ARE THE FOUR NEW STRICTLY PROFESSIONAL DANCERS?
There are four new dancers joining the line-up: Kai Widdrington, from the Irish version of Dancing With The Stars, former Let’s Dance Germany professional Nikita Kuzmin, reigning South African Latin champion Cameron Lombard, and The Greatest Dancer winner Jowita Przystal.
STRICTLY COME DANCING SERIES LAUNCH SEES VIEWING NUMBERS FALL
The launch episode of Strictly Come Dancing was watched by an average of seven million viewers, according to overnight ratings.
This was a decrease in viewers compared to the launch episode of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020, which averaged 8.6 million.
According to the broadcaster, Saturday night’s episode received a 44.7% audience and reached a peak of 7.3 million viewers.
Last year’s series-opening, which took place during a period of unusually high ratings in the wake of the pandemics, saw a lower audience share (42.2%) but a higher peak (9 million).
The launch saw the 15-strong cohort of celebrity contestants paired up with their professional partner
JUDI AND SARA BACKED FOR FIRST STRICTLY ELIMINATION
JUDI LOVE AND SARA DAVIES are the front runners to be axed first from Strictly Come Dancing with Ladbrokes.
Judi, a comedian, is the 7/2 favourite to face the first chop in the series. Sara, a Dragons Den star is close behind.
Nina is considered a 5/1 chance. Ugo (6/1), Greg (7/1), and Tilly (8/1) are next in line.
Jessica O’Reilly of Ladbrokes said: “Since Judi and Sara were announced as Strictly contestants they’ve received the least amount of bets to win, and now have the largest number of wagers to leave first, unfortunately.”