Strictly Come Dancing 2025: Chris McCausland returns to show as final pairings confirmed

Ellie Goldstein is so full of energy, so of course, she got paired with Vito! The pair's energy will no doubt be off the charts this year. I can't wait.

© BBC

Balvinder is being thrown in the deep end as she gets the samba for her Week 1 dance. (Shake, Shake, Shake) Shake Your Booty by KC and the Sunshine Band will be her song.

It was an emotional performance for Jessie J, making one of her first appearances since she went public with her breast cancer diagnosis. The singer has needed to cancel gigs as a result, but she looked flawless as she sang with the pros showing off some magical moves.

Maybe she should be on the next series, what do you think?

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy

No matter how many times we watch Chris and Dianne's Waltz, we still get emotional. The winning couple reprised their dance ahead of the final pairings.

© CREDIT LINE:BBC/Guy Levy

It's now time for our final pairings, and these will be Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, Stefan Dennis, Thomas Skinner, George Clarke and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

11 years ago was actually when I first started properly watching Strictly, so not going to lie, Jimmy's throwback clip certainly makes me feel a little bit older...

Harry Aikines-Aryeetey will be hoping to go all the way with Karen Hauer, the longest-running professional on the show. Will they make the final, we think they're in with a shot!

© BBC

Lauren nearly missed out on a partner last year, before replacing Amy Dowden. She and JB made the final, will Lauren do it again with Jimmy?

© BBC

Alexis, our other new professional, will also be dancing with a partner this here. The American-born pro will be turning social media personality George Clarke into a ballroom.

© BBC

Reigning champion Dianne Buswell will be hoping to keep her title when she dances with Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis. Of course, with Dianne, it now takes three, with her baby tagging along for the ride.

© BBC

Thomas has been a controversial signing for this year's show, but there's no controversy with his partner. The businessman was the final star to be paired and he'll be dancing with Amy, who was partnered with JB Gill last year. Sadly, she had to pull out, so here's hoping she'll be going all the way this time!

© BBC

Harry showed off he could cha-cha-cha while carrying weights, and now he'll be doing it without the weights. We'll see him take to the floor with Push It by Salt-n-Pepa.

So what did you make to that number? We got to see the stars for the first time and is there anyone you think is looking strong or weak? Ross King is the favourite to go out first, but Chris was looking shaky in my views. Meanwhile, Dani and Lewis were looking like the ones to beat, let's see how this all plays out.

Vicky spoke on the launch show of wanting to do Strictly for years. Speaking to HELLO! and other media ahead of the launch, she confessed: "I've grown up watching Strictly it's a British institution. I think it's a lovely show. I've always wanted to do it. It's been on my bucket list for years. I actually had a really embarrassing cut out on my vision board of Gemma Atkinson with my head on it."

Lewis looked to be one of the better dancers during the opening number, and he spoke of previously appearing on the West End. Speaking to HELLO! and other media ahead of the launch show, he explained: "I used to dance as well when I was a kid, but I haven't been in a dance studio for 13 years, and I haven't danced for 13 years, and when I did dance, it was hip-hop, I've never touched these sorts of styles.

"It is transferable, musicality, hearing the music, which I held on to, but the technique and my posture as well from boxing is very much rounded shoulders and all of that."

What did you make to Thomas on the show? During a media event ahead of the show he stormed out after reportedly seeing personal messages about him on a journalist's phone. However, HELLO! was able to speak to him ebfore he left, and here's what he had to say...

We know what Harry, Balvinder, Ross and Lewis will be dancing to, but what about La Voix? Speaking to HELLO! and other media ahead of the launch show, the drag queen joked she was hoping the macarena would be an option. We wonder what Aljaz would make to it.

Alex Kingston has faced the likes of Weeping Angels, Daleks and Cybermen, but does she think Craig Revel Horwood is scarier? When she spoke to HELLO! and other media she teased: "Well, we haven't met them yet, so bring them on!"

Now that meeting has happened, so we'll have to see...

That's it for our coverage of the laucnh show of Strictly. Next week, the stars will be dancing for the first time. I can't wait to see you there!