The scores are in - Karen Carney tops the Strictly Come Dancing leaderboard with 31 points, becoming the first footballer to do so in 18 years
The show also makes history tonight as Dianne Buswell becomes the first pregnant dancer to compete
Another milestone is reached by 'cover girl' Ellie Goldstein, who is the show's first contestant with Down's syndrome
West End star Amber Davies, stepping in to replace Dani Dyer, wins judge Motsi's heart with her connection to partner Nikita Kuzmin
No one is waltzing home tonight, but the judges' scores still matter - they'll count towards who is first out next week
Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show is getting under way now!
Just a reminder, you can Watch live above, or tune in on BBC One or iPlayer.
There’s also a signed version available on iPlayer with British Sign Language.
Viewers on BBC One and iPlayer can watch with audio description and subtitles.
And, of course, if you stick around here, you’ll get all the text updates.
Guy Lambert
Culture reporter
Oti Mabuse and Bill Bailey won the Glitterball Trophy in Series 18
When it comes to winning over voters, nothing beats an underdog story.
Just look at last year’s inspirational winner, Chris McCausland - the first blind contestant to take part in Strictly.
Every week he won the nation’s hearts with his dancing alongside partner Dianne Buswell, eventually being crowned champions.
Then there’s the contestant who improves week after week.
Enter Series 18 winner, Bill Bailey. He was one of the older contestants that year, but Bailey surprised everyone by proving to be a capable dancer.
His street dance to Rapper's Delight by the Sugar Hill Gang was a turning point, showing just how hard he was working to learn difficult routines. It all paid off when he won the Glitterball Trophy with partner Oti Mabuse.
And then there’s the contestant who just loves to have fun.
Most of us can’t tell our left foot from our right, so it’s always appreciated when you see that on Strictly. The more relatable you are, the better.
Of course, it can help to be able to dance - but who really cares if your tango is a little out of time if you’re clearly having an absolute ball?
Paul Glynn
Culture reporter
Image source, PA MediaDianne Buswell will tonight become the first professional dancer to compete in a Strictly live show while pregnant.
Buswell waltzed her way to victory with comedian Chris McCausland last year, picking up a Bafta in the process.
Speaking on Winning Isn't Everything, the podcast she hosts with McCausland, she said her doctor advised her that, as she’s been dancing since she was five, she shouldn’t stop now.
“Obviously with lifts there’s going to be a bit more caution,” she said, adding that her doctor has said “everything is normal”.
The dancer and her real-life partner, YouTuber and former Strictly contestant Joe Sugg, are expecting a boy.
Buswell has been paired with her compatriot Stefan Dennis, from Australian soap Neighbours.
Image source, PA MediaDani Dyer said she had "landed funny" during training and has broken her ankle
TV personality Dani Dyer withdrew from this year's Strictly contest on Monday after breaking her ankle.
The former Love Island contestant said she had "landed funny" during training last Friday, and a scan confirmed a fracture.
In a tearful video posted on Instagram, she said she was "heartbroken" and "absolutely gutted" to leave the programme, where she was "having the best time ever".
Her injury happened after she had already taken part in last week's pre-recorded launch show, where she was paired with professional Nikita Kuzmin.
Dyer is replaced by West End star Amber Davies.
Noor Nanji
Culture reporter
Dancer Johannes Radebe (L) and actor Alex Kingston show off their moves backstage
I've been backstage to meet some of the 15 competing couples, to hear just how gruelling the training has been, what they're most looking forward to - and what they're most terrified about.
Alex Kingston, a star of stage and screen for more than 40 years, including in Doctor Who and ER, said she's taking part to show others "anything is possible".
EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, 46, said being on Strictly was a "dream". She fell in love with the first series and has been hooked ever since.
"And now that I'm here, I'm absolutely petrified," she laughed.
Read more on how the stars are feeling ahead of the first live show here.
James Gregory
Live reporter
Is there a better way to spend a Saturday evening than settling down in front of the TV to watch Strictly?
The sequins and sparkles are back as 15 new celebrities take to the dancefloor for the first live show of the series.
Who will be this year's surprise package? Who will emerge as the clear frontrunner? And who will leave us wanting more?
We'll find out soon enough.
You can watch tonight's show from 18:55 BST by clicking Watch live above, or on BBC One and iPlayer.
Just a reminder - there's no public vote tonight, so Cha Cha your way to the living room, grab a cuppa, sit back and enjoy the dancing.
