It’s the 76th Emmy Awards in the US on Sunday night, which is one of the US TV industry's highest honours. The ceremony will be hosted from the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles.

Our colleagues in the US will be covering every minute of it and running a live page on our website and app from Washington DC.

It’ll be up from about 22:00 BST (17:00 local time) so check back tomorrow to see which of the stars walking down the red carpet pick up an award.

Michael Sheils McNamee
Live editor

So that’s it… Strictly is back.

Prepare for a season of Cha Cha Chas, Paso Dobles, and quick steps which will whisk us through the colder months ahead.

The show was kicked into gear by the Vengabus, and the pace did not let up throughout.

This evening saw a new look for resident villain Craig Revel Horwood and the amazing return of dancer Amy Dowden - who was twice diagnosed with cancer last year.

She was back on the show following treatment, and at the centre of a stunning group performance by the dancers.

Thanks for joining us on the page - and we can look forward to all the wonderful performances over the coming months.

And remember… keep dancing!

The new line-up of celebrities for 2024 was announced in August, but their dance partners were kept under wraps until Saturday night.

In case you missed it, here is the list of pairings in full:

• Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
• Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
• JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
• Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
• Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
• Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
• Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
• Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
• Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
• Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
• Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
• Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
• Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
• Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
• Wynne Evans and Katya Jones

We've been asking you to get in touch with the show - and thanks to those of you who have.

Rob, 27, from Worcester wrote in to say:

"I can’t believe it’s 20 years of strictly. Life goes so fast, but this show brings joy to so many. I still watch and chat after with my sister, Mum and Dad and Gran, as I have since series one.

"Thank you so much for those memories, my favourite dances ever are Ramps’ Salsa and Jay’s Jive. Rose’s dance which has already been mentioned was an incredible hair raising moment too.

"A huge thank you for a show that brings so much joy."

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

And with that, Strictly 2024 is officially under way.

There were twists and turns, glitz and glamour – in short, everything we’ve come to expect from Strictly, over the 20 years it’s been running.

So much of Strictly never changes – and it’s that familiarity that proves part of its appeal.

But there were some differences this year. Amy Dowden’s return was definitely a highlight. Fans will have been delighted to see the 34 year old dancer, who was diagnosed with cancer last year, back on the show – and taking centre stage in the group dance.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, there was no mention tonight of the controversies that have plagued Strictly all summer.

Millions of people watch Strictly to escape – and it might not have felt like the right time to talk about some of the very serious claims that have been made.

Image source, BBC Studios

Michael Sheils McNamee
Live editor

And with that, we are back for another series of Strictly Come Dancing!

We'll be sticking around on the live page for a little while yet.

If you have been following on BBC One, next up on the channel is the rousing finale to Last Night at the Proms - which my colleague Jack Burgess is running a live page for.

The class of 2024 have just done their first-ever group dance.

Head judge Shirley's advice for the couples was to "embrace the nerves".

Who are your early favourites to lift the glitterball trophy?

Tarik Habte
BBC News

Former England footballer and sports broadcaster, Paul Merson will be dancing with Karen Hauer who is now Strictly’s longest-serving professional dancer.

His nickname at Arsenal football club was 'The Magic Man’ - has he got a few dancing tricks up his sleeve?

TV presenter Nick Knowles is swapping the building site for the ballroom with Strictly pro, Luba Mushtuk. He says he believes in "dancing big" - we don't know what that means but we're excited to find out!

Three-time Olympic swimming champion Tom Dean is hoping to go for gold with his professional dancer, Nadia Bychkova.

He's no stranger to coming in first, can he make it all the way to the final?

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

This series of Strictly has been billed as the most accessible, with live signing for the first time available on BBC iPlayer and red button.

Tasha Ghouri, who was born deaf and campaigns to raise awareness for the deaf community, is the second deaf contestant to dance on the show, following in the footsteps of glitterball trophy winner, Rose Ayling-Ellis.

She called the move to introduce live signing "amazing" and said it was part of what makes Strictly "so special".

Chris McCausland has also joined the show this year, making him the show’s first ever blind contestant.

You can watch the signed version of the show here.

More couples now, before heading into a musical performance by Clean Bandit and singer Anne-Marie.

Eighties pop icon and actress, Toyah Willcox has been paired with Neil Jones. She says she is not going to let her hip-replacement slow her down and she’s “channelling her inner Dolly Parton”.

TV medic and Strictly superfan, Dr Punam Krishan has been paired with Gorka Marquez. She says she can't dance but Gorka has assured her, "everyone can dance".

Miranda star, Sarah Hadland is paired with last year's winner Vito Coppola. Can he lift the glitterball two years in a row with Sarah?

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

Next up, it’s Tasha Ghouri – she’s been paired with Aljaž Škorjanec - who is back after a two-year hiatus.

Tasha said she was “absolutely ecstatic”, adding: “He’s already teaching me little moves, and I’m trying to keep up.”

The former Love Islander, who was born deaf, also talked about the role of dance in her life, saying: “Dance is my pure joy. It’s where I found my inner confidence, and I’m doing this for all the Tashas out there.

Disability or not, it’s about celebrating dance and putting smiles on faces.”

We are just about to meet some more couples.

We are hearing from pop legend Toyah Willcox - who has a sweet moment talking about her husband in the audience.

“He burst into tears when I told him, he was so happy!” she says.

“And every day since I’ve told him he’s said ‘I’m so proud of you’!”

What do you make of Strictly's big 20th anniversary launch show? And what are you memories of the show through the years?

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Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

Millions of people watched Coronation Street star Ellie Leach lift the glitterball trophy last year, together with her dance partner Vito Coppola.

The pair are back tonight, and have just performed a spectacular Paso Doble.

So what advice does Leach have for this year’s contestants?

She had this to say after the performance:

“Well I’m so glad to be back. I feel at home when I'm here, but I think my advice is just to take every minute in it goes so so fast, so just enjoy it, guys.

“It's the best, best time ever.”

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

The 34-year-old professional dancer, from Caerphilly, was twice diagnosed with cancer last year, and has spoken previously of being desperate to return to Strictly.

Well tonight’s the night, and we’ve just heard she’s partnered with JB Gill, one part of the wildly successful boy band JLS.

Dowden said she was "delighted" to be back in the ballroom, adding: "It just feels like my first year all over again. I just want JB to have the best time and fall in love with dancing.”

Gill added: “She’s brilliant, plus she’s got experience with popstars, so I know I’m in good hands.”

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

Regular watchers of Strictly might need to explain some of the basics to Pete Wicks.

The TV personality has been paired with Jowita Przystał on the show.

When Jowita revealed his first dance is going to the Paso Doble to The Prodigy - Breathe, Pete looked confused and asked, “What’s a Paso Doble?”

Tarik Habte
BBC News

Olympian and TV presenter Sam Quek will be dancing with Nikita Kuzmin saying she's "never felt nerves like it"!

Sports stars tend to do well on Strictly so we think she'll be ok!

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

You might recognise Montell Douglas from Gladiators, but she’s swapped her lycra for ballgowns as one of this year’s contestants.

It’s just been revealed that she’s paired with Johannes Radebe this year.

“I don't think there is a person on this earth who doesn't want to be partnered with JoJo, I’m over the moon!,” Montell said.

And drum roll… their team name is: “Strictly Come Dancing, bringing the MoJo.”

Also dancing together will be musician and actor Shayne Ward with Nancy Xu.

Eastnders star Jamie Borthwick has been paired with new Strictly pro, Michelle Tsiakkas.

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

Next up to be partnered, we have Wynne Evans and Katya Jones.

Wynne is a broadcaster, presenter, and professionally trained opera singer, and he clearly has the backing of his pro.

When Claudia asked Katya what her plans for Wynne were, she said: “I think no plan is brilliant. This man was born to win!”

They then revealed that their first dance is going to be the Samba to Help Yourself by Tom Jones.