Strictly Come Dancing 2023 pairings announced in glittery launch

Hello there! My name is Emmy Griffiths, I’m the Global Digital TV and Film Editor at HELLO! and I am celebrating one of the TV calendar’s biggest dates - the return of Strictly Come Dancing! 

We’ve seen the celebrity line-up, and while we still have to wait until the competition begins in earnest, tonight’s launch show will reveal which professional dancers will be teamed up with which celebrity - and I can’t wait! So join me, my husband who is only pretending not to be interested, and our two cats (wearing sparkly bowties especially for the occasion) for HELLO!'s watching party! Tweet your thoughts, questions and comments to me @emmyfg - and let’s do this!

I also have it on good authority (ahem, the press release that gets sent to every journalist in the country), that the show will feature three dance routines, a performance starring all of our beloved judges - Anton du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood - as well as a musical performance from Jessie Ware and the return of reigning champion and king of our hearts, Hamza Yassin!

Ahhh is there anything better in the world than that music? Da da da da da da da! Da da da da da da (I have had a teeny tiny glass of wine). 

© Robin Lee-Perrella

That was such a lovely tribute for Amy Dowden, who is currently undergoing treatment for breast cancer. We can't wait until she's back on our screens. 

© Matthew Horwood

Things I wasn't wasn't for expecting for 2023: Craig Revel Horwood performing a pitch-perfect routine to Kylie Minogue's Padam Padam. SHOOKETH!

Those judges have some serious moves! 

Our first pairings have been announced! 

Amanda Abbington was teamed up with Giovanni Pernice in a Sherlock-themed twist, while Zara McDermott was paired up with Graziano Di Prima! Meanwhile, Krishnan Guru-Murthy has been teamed up with Lauren Oakley, who has a partner for the first time, while Jody Cundy is with the show's reigning champ, Jowita Przystał!

Angela Rippon is the Queen of my heart, as you were. 

This is the cutest thing EVER! Bobby Brazier is teamed up with Dianne Buswell, Layton Williams is teamed up with Nikita Kuzmin, while Nigel Harmon has been teamed up with choreographer extraordinaire, Katya Jones!

Meanwhile, Angela Rippon was thrilled to be teamed up with Kai Widdrington, and admitted that she couldn't wait to get started. We love to see it!

As well as the pairings, I'm living for Claudia Winkleman’s STUNNING outfit. It’s nice to see that she's swept off her Traitors cloak for something a little more jazzy! 

We have time-travelled to 2022! Look at them go! 😍😍

Did anyone else get a tear watching Hamza speak about his Strictly experience? Just me? 

© Photo: BBC

More pairings announced? Don't mind if we do! Tennis pundit Annabel Croft has been teamed up with Johannes Radebe, while Eddie Kadi is with Karen Hauer,  Ellie Leach will be dancing with Vito Coppola, and Adam Thomas is with Luba Mushtuk! 

© BBC

Why am I crying? WHY AM I CRYING?

Which Strictly pro would you most like to be teamed up with? Tell me on Twitter X @emmyfg! I think I'd like Johannes personally. Or Giovanni. Or Vito. 

After his very sad passing in April, the judges, presenters and pros paid a beautiful tribute to Len Goodman, with Craig Revel Horwood saying: "I just adored our little arguements. It's what bonded up and gave us a fantastic friendship." Claudia added: "He was funny. You wanted to watch him." 

© Getty Images

Ready for round three of annoucements? Get ready to see Angela Scanlon show off her moves with Carlos Gu, while Nikita Kanda has paired up with Gorka Márquez, and last but not least, Les Dennis has teamed up with Nancy Xu! 

© BBC

And with a DAZZLING routine from the celebrity line-up for the very first time, there you have it! I hope you enjoyed the launch as much as I did! 

Join us for week one of the competition where we will be discussing all of the first performances, judges comments, favourite outfits and more! Until then, KEEP DANCING!

© Guy Levy