Rachel Flynn
Live page editor

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

Strictly Come Dancing is back, the celebrities have their partners, and they've performed on the dance floor for the very first time.

We got to know this season's contestants a little more - namely that Vicky Pattison says she has the posture of a croissant, and that Ellie Goldstein can already do the splits.

We also saw two new professional dancers welcomed, the last dance by reigning champions Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, and a performance from Jessie J.

We'll be ending our live coverage shortly, but we'll be back next week to cover every (literal) twist and turn.

And remember... keeeeep dancing!

Here's a reminder of the pairings:

• Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe
• Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
• Chris Robshaw and Nadiya Bychkova
• Dani Dyer and Nikita Kuzmin
• Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola
• George Clarke and Alexis Warr
• Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer
• Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley
• Karen Carney and Carlos Gu
• La Voix and Aljaž Škorjanec
• Lewis Cope and Katya Jones
• Ross King and Jowita Przystał
• Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell
• Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden
• Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington

Sarah Hadland
Strictly Come Dancing finalist, 2024

We've just seen the launch, now the countdown is on for the first live show next week.

Even as an actor, nothing can prepare you for the adrenaline rush of it.

That amazing combination of the studio audience going wild and the fact millions are watching live at home does make your brain explode a bit - I just tried to focus on my partner, Vito, and the dancing.

You do feel a million dollars. The hair, make up and costume teams on Strictly are on another level - the best of the best - you will never look this good again!!!

The judging panel have given some words of advice as celebrities and their new partners embark on their Strictly journey.

Craig Revel Horwood: "I can probably tell you who won't win darling, but I think the ladies are quite strong this competition - well they look like that so far."

Motsi Mabuse: "I want to see them having fun and showing joy."

Shirley Ballas: "I'd like them all to walk in to the room with an optimistic attitude. Leave the ego at the door and pick it up on the way out. Posture is extremely important. And enjoy every single minute, it'll fly by!"

Anton Du Beke: "Remember, no one gets eliminated in week one!"

Image source, Guy Levy/BBC

Strictly just wouldn't be Strictly without its special weeks - and after making its debut last year, the Icons Week is back for another spin.

Here are the dates to look out for:

• Movie Week - 11 October
• Halloween Week - 25 October
• Icons Week - 1 November
• Blackpool Week - 22 November
• Musicals Week - 6 December

Here is one big change this year.

Gone are the days of dialling in to vote for your favourite couple - all voting will now be done online on the Strictly website.

Announcing the change earlier, the BBC said premium-rate phone voting "is now an outdated system and also expensive to run".

Remember, you've got to be logged in to your BBC account to vote. If you don't have one, you can sign up here.

Tess Daly
Strictly Come Dancing host

I think the most exciting part of the entire series for me, bar the final, has to be meeting the new cast of celebrities.

The highlight of the launch show is watching that first group dance - the very first time we see the celebrities step on to the dance floor.

From that moment, I’ve learnt to spot who has the potential to make it all the way through the competition.

Thomas Skinner tells the show he is "over the moon" with his partner - describing Amy Dowden as "inspirational".

"I'm useless at the minute," he adds.

And it's "jackpot" for Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

"Lauren [Oakley] is one of our favourites."

Meanwhile, for George Clarke who is partnered with new professional Alexis Warr - "It's very nice to be going through together as a newbie".

"Although I believe you've danced before," he jokes to Alexis.

Rounding out 2025's Strictly's launch show, the new pairings of celebs and dancers finished with a bang - performing a massive medley.

It's the first and last time they'll perform without critique from the judges - and they all looked to be loving it.

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

Cachella Smith
Live page reporter

Wow what a show.

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 is officially under way - the couples are paired up, the dance shoes are out and the judges are primed.

One of the celebs is worried her posture is too much like a croissant, another is excited about the spray tan and the glitz, while a third has owned up to starting from a point of being completely useless.

What does all that add up to? Well - it sounds to us like a great line up for the series.

The show might have ended for one night - but we're here on the live page for a little bit longer, so stay with us.

Miriam Baker
BBC Wales

Professional dancer Amy Dowden says she put "so much strain" on herself to recover and return to work after her cancer diagnosis.

She returned to the Strictly line-up in 2024, but was forced to withdraw from the show after being diagnosed with a stress fracture in her foot.

She is now back in full health and partnering Thomas Skinner.

She was just 32 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer May 2023, after finding a lump in her breast the day before her honeymoon.

She made history as Strictly Come Dancing’s first Welsh professional dancer in 2017, and has been candid about her experiences of the disease, including having a mastectomy, chemotherapy, and fertility treatment.

Speaking ahead of the 2025 series, she said her diagnosis left her fearing she would never dance again, adding that she told her breast surgeon that she became "fixated" with returning to dancing during the height of her illness.

As she looks forward to getting back on the Strictly ballroom dance floor, she said she remained "on a mission to raise awareness" about breast cancer.

Despite her "life changing forever", Dowden said she felt stronger than ever.

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

Sarah Hadland
Strictly Come Dancing finalist, 2024

I knew I wanted to be paired with Vito Coppola from the minute I met him, and my gut was right.

He believed in me way more than I ever did.

To start with I was annoyed he expected so much of me, but then I started to trust him and believe in myself a bit more. That's when the lifts got crazier and crazier - I became a lift junkie!

Recently, we watched the dances back together and we were laughing at how mad those lifts got. And I was so grateful we never had to do a dance-off - we have the public to thank for that.

I will be friends with Vito for the rest of my life - he is a very, very special soul. Our journey together was the toughest and most rewarding thing I've ever done - well, after being a mum anyway.

We've just seen the last pairings take place. Taking to the dance floor together this series:

• The Apprentice star and content creator Thomas Skinner and Amy Dowden
• YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke and Alexis Warr
• Former Chelsea and Leeds United footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Lauren Oakley
• Former Team GB sprinter and Nitro from Gladiators Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Karen Hauer
• Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis and Dianne Buswell

Check out the other pairings announced earlier.

Craig Revel Horwood
Strictly Come Dancing judge

This is my 21st year on the show and it’s been absolutely amazing. Every year still manages to surprise me.

People often ask if I ever get bored and I say no! Each year brings a completely new cast and that’s the beauty of Strictly.

With a new cast comes a whole new energy and this year in particular, I think we’ve got some incredible celebrities.

After performing their waltz, Chris and Diane headed to the judge's table.

What is Chris' advice for this year's celebs?

"You're burning a lot of calories," he says.

"Make the most of this moment, you can eat what you want.

"Give Craig back as good as he gives.

"Take the dancing seriously, don't take yourself too seriously.

"If you put 100% in and enjoy yourself you'll have a remarkable time."

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

Last year's winners Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell have just just taken to the stage for a waltz to You'll Never Walk Alone.

Last year, the couple's performance to the song was voted the most memorable moment at the 2025 BAFTAs - and this evening's performance did not disappoint, earning a rousing standing ovation from the audience.

The show opened with a sketch showing Chris's valiant effort to keep the Glitterball trophy by locking it in a safe - before being cajoled into handing it back.

"The partnership with Dianne is the best thing I've been a part of in my whole career... she's remarkable," Chris says ahead of the dance.

"If you can make people forget about your disability more than you remind them, then you're normalising it, and you're changing their expectations."

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

We've just heard from Vicky Pattison, who has been paired with Kai Widdrington - and was asked why she calls herself a croissant.

Confused? Us too...

"I've got really bad posture - so I sit like a croissant," she explains.

"Within about five minutes of [Kai] meeting me - he was like 'stand up straight!'"

"I'm going to have to stand like a baguette," Claudia jokes to everyone.

Image source, BBC/Guy Levy

Pop singer Jessie J is taking over the dance floor, singing her new single Living My Best Life.

Strictly professionals join her with an emotive dance.

Ellie Goldstein is taking this seriously - she tells the show she has been watching dance videos of the quickstep and the foxtrot ahead of joining the show.

Is Strictly everything you thought it would be? Claudia asks.

"Spray tan, the glitz, make-up and the hair," she lists, "everything".

Meanwhile, Alex Kingston speaks of the wait to find out her partner.

She says she was "so so nervous".

"It was a big reveal that I wasn't expecting."

As we've just reported - she's been paired with Johannes Radebe.

So we've got our next five pairings - these couples will be hoping to waltz, tango and jive all the way to the Glitterball trophy.

• Broadcaster and podcast host Vicky Pattison and Kai Widdrington
• Doctor Who and ER star Alex Kingston and Johannes Radebe
• Vogue model and actor Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola
• EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon
• Former Lioness Karen Carney and Carlos Gu

And you can check out the first five revealed pairs here.

Rachel Flynn
Live page editor

It's a big moment meeting the person you'll need to trust most over the next few months.

There were hugs and screams from the first few pairings, until performer La Voix finds out she's coupled up with Aljaž Škorjanec. "That's the one I didn't want, sorry," she says in shock, calling it an "absolute joke".

With our throats momentarily dried up - La Voix runs back for a monumental hug. I think they're going to get along just fine.

"We're bold, we're iconic, we're blinding... and we're so excited," La Voix tells Claudia Winkleman.