Strictly Come Dancing 2023 has kicked off with a bang as tonight's launch revealed this season's pairings.
The likes of Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Love Island's Zara McDermott and EastEnders actor Bobby Brazier have taken to the ballroom in the hopes to impress judges Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.
But who will be lifting the glitterball trophy as the competition begins, and follow in the footsteps of Jowita Pryzstal and Hamza Yassin?
After weeks of anticipation and rumours swirling, here are our confirmed Strictly pairings...
Waterloo Road star Adam Thomas was announced as the eighth contestant for this year's series on August 8, after hinting he would like to experience the infamous 'Strictly curse'.
He's since been sharing updates with fans as he trains with partner Luba Mushtuk, despite battling a chronic health issue.
Luba, 32, joined the Strictly family in 2018, after serving as an assistant choreographer since 2016.
Her first celebrity partner was James Cracknell OBE, but the pair didn't make it past Week Two, and she made it one week further the following year with American football player Jason Bell.
Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington was confirmed as the first celebrity to be taking to the dancefloor this year.
The 49-year-old, who admitted to being 'incredibly competitive', said she was 'thrilled to have been asked', however, following the news, she was mired in controversy.
Amanda will be dancing with Italian pro Giovanni Pernice, who has appeared on Strictly since 2015.
Last year, Giovanni, 33, was in an all-male pairing with Richie Anderson, after winning the year before with Rose Ayling-Ellis.
After lifting the glitterball trophy with the EastEnders actress, they went on to win a Bafta TV award for their incredible silent dance.
Irish presenter Angela Scanlon, known for appearances on The One Show and hosting Your Garden Made Perfect, will be taking to the dancefloor with Carlos Gu.
When she announced she was taking part, Angela said: 'I'm terrified, I'm excited and I have so many questions. Will they make me tan? How itchy are sequins?! Do they do flesh coloured sports bras?' (all very good questions, Angela)
'Well - there's only one way to find out, right!? Now I'm panicking a bit... but also secretly thrilled about the prospect of all that glitter. Let's go!'
Carlos had a strong start when he joined Strictly just last year, where he made it all the way to the final with CBBC star Molly Rainford.
Former Come Dancing presenter Angela Rippon is breaking Strictly's records as the oldest celeb to star on the show.
But the 78-year-old insists she's here to 'enjoy' the 'challenge'.
Angela will be partnered with Kai, who made it all the way to the Strictly 2021 final in his first year with AJ Odudu.
Last year, Kai, 27, was partnered with Loose Women star Kaye Adams, who was the first to be voted off.
Former tennis ace Annabel Croft will be dancing with Johannes Radebe, who made it to the 2021 finals with John Whaite in the show's first all-male pairing.
Speaking about joining Strictly, the 57-year-old said last month: 'I have always loved watching Strictly and can't quite believe I'm going to be part of this magical show - swapping tennis balls for glitter balls and looking forward to finding some joyfulness in the process.'
After two seasons on Strictly Come Dancing South Africa, Johannes joined the UK version in 2018, where he's been partnered with the likes of Corrie's Catherine Tyldesley and actress Ellie Taylor.
EastEnders' Bobby, who recently scored an NTAs win, has spoken about how he's excited for the 'sexy' routines, which he'll be dancing with Dianne Buswell.
The eldest son of Jade Goody and Jeff Brazier, 20, recently teased he was 'over the moon' with his pro and said he hoped to strike up a 'beautiful relationship' with them.
Earlier this month, rumours sparked that Dianne and Bobby would be paired together, after they were spotted sharing a boogie at the NTAs.
The 33-year-old pro joined strictly in 2017, and coupled up with Joe Sugg in her second year (both on the dance floor and romantically).
The pair made it all the way to the final, the furthest Dianne has reached after leaving the ballroom in week four in following years.
Comedian Eddie Kadi was announced as the fifth contestant joining the line-up this year.
Upon the announcement, the 40-year-old said: 'I'm so unbelievably proud and honoured that Strictly and the BBC have asked me to join the 2023 team.
'I promise you, I'm going to give it everything I've got. This is going to be a vibe.'
It's now been confirmed he'll be taking to the floor with Strictly legend Karen Hauer, who joined the show back in 2012.
She's made it to the Final twice, with Mark Wright in 2014 and Jamie Laing in 2020. Will this year be her chance to lift the glitterball trophy?
Corrie star Ellie Leach hailed her upcoming stint a 'dream' as she was announced to join the Strictly cast.
'It still doesn't feel real that I'm going to be doing Strictly!!' she enthused.
She's partnered with Vito Coppola, who joined Strictly last year, where he made it to the final with radio host Fleur East.
Paralympian Jody Cundy is paired with reigning champ Jowita, who won with cameraman Hamza last year - her first on the show.
'Excited to be welcomed into the Strictly family and throw myself head first into the world of ballroom dancing,' the 44-year-old said after the big reveal.
'So far away from what I'm used to, but I'm looking forward to the challenge and pushing myself way out of my comfort zone, especially as I'm always last onto the dance floor. Can't wait to get stuck in, bring on the glitter and sequins!'
53-year-old newsreader Krishnan has turned down opportunities to compete in the dance competition in the past, but is finally relenting to join the rest of the cast in the line-up for the latest season.
Explaining why he had agreed to take part, he said: 'You only live once. I'm here for the joy and the fun. I love my job. It's very, very privileged: I go to amazing places and speak to amazing people, but it's incredibly serious; it's quite stressful.
'So the idea of being able to have pure intravenous joy, alongside - because I'm going to be doing the news at the same time - is just irresistible.'
He'll be paired with the newest member of the Strictly family, Lauren Oakley.
'I've grown up watching Strictly, always hoping that one day I could be part of the best show on television, doing what I love the most,' she told the BBC.
'Now that it's happening, it doesn't quite seem real. I can't wait to start this new sequined adventure and join this incredible family.'
In this year's only same-sex coupling, Layton Williams will be dancing with Nikita Kuzmin.
The Billie Elliot star, 28, confirmed earlier that he was definitely dancing in an all-male couple, but acted coy over his partner.
He had previously expressed his desire to be in an all-male pairing, saying: 'Honestly, truly, I'm happy so long as it's a guy. I've said I want to dance with a man. I want to be flung around.
'Basically, at college I was always vey jealous of the girls being thrown around and was like, "I want to be that!" So I can't wait to get flung around and wear some glittery costumes.'
Nikita joined Strictly in 2021, partnering with Tilly Ramsay in his debut year, followed by Paralympian Ellie Simmonds.
Family Fortunes star Les Dennis was the final contestant announced as part of the Strictly line-up, despite nearly leaking the news a week early.
In a statement following his official reveal, Les said he was 'thrilled' to be taking part, adding: 'I'm thrilled to be doing this iconic wonderful show as I approach my 70th birthday!
'In my career I've always gone for challenges outside my comfort zone and this is the ultimate one! Can't wait.'
Nancy joined the Strictly family in 2019, and danced with her first celeb partner Rhys Stephenson in 2021, where the pair made it to the semi-final, before she returned the following year with Will Mellor.
Former EastEnders star Nigel Harman will be cha-cha-ing with Katya Jones.
On joining Strictly, he said: 'I'm amazed, excited, and terrified to be doing Strictly. As an armchair fan of the show I have watched in awe as people have twirled and gyrated across the screen. And now it's my turn... gulp!'
Strictly icon Katya, 33, joined the show in 2016, dancing with Ed Balls.
She went on to be paired with Seann Walsh and made Strictly history in the show's first ever same-sex couple with Nicola Adams.
BBC radio and TV presenter Nikita Kanda announced on her own breakfast show that she would be taking part in Strictly.
Addressing the news, she said: 'I can't believe I'm going to be on Strictly. This is a dream come true. I'm still pinching myself.
'I don't think it will properly sink in until I step onto the dancefloor. I can't wait to get glammed up and get out there. Throw the glitter on me!'
She'll be paired up with dad-of-two Gorka Marquez, who made it to the final last year with Helen Skelton.
Gorka joined in 2016 and soared through to the final the following year with Alexandra Burke, and again in 2020 with Maisie Smith.
It was rumoured earlier this year that Gorka may have quit Strictly, but thankfully, the rumours aren't true.
Last but not least is Strictly's first Love Island contestant, Zara McDermott, and rumours have been swirling about who she may be partnered with.
And after Giovanni and Neil Jones' names were both thrown into the mix, the gossip has finally been put to bed.
The reality TV star, 26, will be paired with Graziano Di Prima, who joined the show in 2018.
But Zara's partner Sam Thompson isn't worried about any curse rumours, and has insisted their relationship is in safe hands.
Strictly Come Dancing will start on Saturday September 16 at 6.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
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