Strictly Come Dancing 2017 launch show: Celebrity and professional dancer pairings revealed

Which celebrity will be with which professional dancer?

In the show’s 15-series history, not once has a same-sex couple appeared – despite a number of queer dancers featuring (BBC)

The 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing has finally started, the launch show revealing which celebrity has been matched with which professional dancer.

First up was Gemma Atkinson, the Casualty, Emmerdale and Hollyoaks star being paired with Slovenian Alijaz Skorjanec. Then, Debbie McGee — who’s late husband Paul Daniels previously appeared on the show — was put with Giovanni Pernice.

Rounding off the first selection of partners, Holby City’s Chizzy Akudolu was placed with Pasha Kovalev, while Ruth Langsford and Anton Du Beke were paired together.

Following the four female pairings, the first four male contestant match-ups were announced, former JLS member Aston Merrygold being paired with Janette Manrara.

Reverend Richard Cole was put with newcomer Dianna Buswell, Eastenders star Davood Ghadami with Nadiya Dychkova, and chef Simon Rimmer with Karen Clifton.

Back to the women, as Charlotte Hawkins was paired with Brendan Cole, Mollie King with AJ Pritchard, Susan Calman with Kevin Clifton, and Alexandra Burke with Gorka Marquez.

Rounding off the final three pairings are Joe McFadden with Katya Joes, Paralympian Jonnie Peacock with Oti Mabuse, and Brian Conley with Amy Dowden.

Before the show started, The Sun revlead the celebrity pairings, the BBC angered by the publication breaking the embargo.

Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell, and Craig Revel Horwood returned as judges, while Len Goodman’s replacement — Shirley Ballas — was introduced.

Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman also paid tribute to former host Bruce Forsyth, the professional dancers performing a special routine (which you can watch here).

Ballas said of the performance beforehand: "People had better have a box of Kleenex at the ready.

“The professional dancers do the most beautiful tribute to Sir Bruce - it's endearing, heart-warming and heart-wrenching. I don't think there was a dry eye in the house.”

Catch up with the latest on the show here.