Strictly stars shimmer on the red carpet

The stars of this years Strictly Come Dancing have taken to the red carpet for the first time to celebrate the start of this years series.

Designer Julien Macdonald, Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden and model Abbey Clancy will take to the dance floor alongside BBC presenters Susanna Reid and Vanessa Feltz with Countdown's Rachel Riley and golfer Tony Jacklin.

Others taking part include singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Hollyoaks actor Ashley Taylor Dawson, actress Fiona Fullerton and rugby star Ben Cohen.

The 15-strong line-up is completed by Hairy Biker Dave Myers, former Casualty actor Patrick Robinson, Waterloo Road star Mark Benton and former Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede.

This years series promises to be bigger and brighter than ever as Entertainment Correspondent Lizo Mzimba has been finding out.