Strictly 2020 pairings: Nicola Adams and Katya Jones CONFIRMED as show’s first ever same-sex couple

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The Strictly Come Dancing 2020 pairings were revealed on Saturday night during the highly-anticipated pre-recorded launch show for the 18th series.

Celebrities including Nicola Adams, Jamie Laing and Maisie Smith discovered which professional dancer would put them through their paces in the upcoming weeks. 

The pairings were revealed as Nicola and Katya Jones, Jamie and Karen Hauer, Maisie and Gorka Marquez, Caroline Quentin and Johannes Radebe, Jason Bell and Luba Mushtuk, and Max George and Dianne Buswell. 

Rounding off the Strictly duos were Ranvir Singh and Giovanni Pernice, Clara Amfo and Aljaz Skorjanec, Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse, JJ Chalmers and Amy Dowden, Hrvy and Janette Manrara, and Rt Hon Jacqui Smith and Anton du Beke. 

The launch consisted of the celebrities discovering their professional partners for the first time, though in a post-COVID change, they were instead revealed via video link. 

This will allow for couples to form their own individual ‘bubbles’ for training and performances, meaning the stars will have maintain distance from each other during filming. 

After all the pairings were announced, the celebrities and their professional partners had to take to the floor to perform with contestant Jamie teased after he injured himself during the group routine on the 2019 launch show.  

Elsewhere during the show, the pros dazzled with a sensational opening routine with judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel-Horwood were seated on separate podiums to ensure the programme adheres to COVID-19 safety guidelines. 

Fourth judge Bruno Tonioli was unable to travel back to the UK from his home in LA for the filming due to the Covid-19 crisis and his work commitments on Dancing With The Stars. 

He has spent the last 15 years jetting between the US and the UK for the two shows but coronavirus travel restrictions have scuppered his schedule.

Also during the show, presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman reunited with the pair ensuring they stood at least two metres apart throughout the episode.

While 2019 winner Kelvin Fletcher returned to the dance floor with former professional partner Oti to perform a socially-distanced routine.     

Former boxer Nicola, 37, and professional dancer Katya, 31, were confirmed as a pairing and are set to make history as the show’s first-ever same-sex couple.

Talking ahead of the pairing, the sporting star said: ‘I the first female to win an Olympic boxing medal in 2012, first female to win Commonwealth Games’ gold medal, first female to become a double Olympic champion. I’m liking these little firsts of making history!’

Nicola was surprised by professional dancer Katya at the Royal Albert Hall in London where she had her last ever professional fight, the dancer appeared behind a huge sparkly disco ball.

Katya was left overjoyed as she started screaming and jumping, she said: ‘This is a dream, honestly,’ with Nicola adding: ‘I am super excited to be paired with Katya, absolutely buzzing.’ 

The duo then practised some dance moves and were already ‘in sync’, Nicola said: ‘I got a little taste of what is going to come next!’

Back in the studio, presenter Claudia said: ‘Nicola, you like firsts, this is a Strictly first, you wanted a woman and you wanted someone competitive, I give you Katya.’ 

Talking about what choreography fans can expect, Katya said: ‘I think the beauty of this partnership is… it’s never been done before on Strictly. So, basically, we’re free to do what we want, there’s not really set rules!’

Judge, Craig, was left delighted over the pairing and said: ‘I am really looking forward to seeing Nicola and Katya, firs time a pro girl has the opportunity to actually lead the dance, which is really super exciting for Katya.

‘Obviously she has had to drag a lot of people around the floor before, darling, and pretend not to lead! I think this is going to be a sensational partnership, I really do.’ 

It had been reported for weeks that the duo would be teamed up after they were spotted leaving filming together with fellow pro Karen Hauer reportedly ‘gutted’ to have lost out to Katya. 

Nicola recently joked about the ‘Strictly Curse’ and insisted that there is nothing that can ‘compete’ with what she has with her girlfriend Ella Baig, 22.  

The first celebrity to meet her partner was Caroline, 60, who had headed to Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre in South Bank, London, where she was surprised on stage by pro Johannes, 33, who sweetly held a bouquet of flowers.

Upon meeting for the first time, the Men Behaving Badly star gushed: ‘Oh, I am so glad it’s you, you’re the one I want! Hooray, it’s us together!’ 

And the duo wasted no time as Johannes quickly spun Caroline around Shakespeare’s Globe to which he declared: ‘It’s fire, it’s hot!’

Talking in the studio, Caroline said: ‘I love him, he makes me happy,’ to which he added: ‘Darling, I am going to flip her up, down, side-to-side, she doesn’t know what is coming!’   

Next up was Clara, 36, who was surprised by her pro partner Aljaz, 30, during her radio duties at the BBC studios.

She said: ‘I am so pleased, his energy, I immediately connected with it.’

While Aljaz added: ‘She seems like such a lovely, cool, girl. I can’t wait to get started!’

Talking on the show after their pairing was aired, Clara said: ‘Aljaz was definitely in my top three, the number one, it’s all about you!’ 

Next up to meet their professional partner was GMB star Ranvir, 43, who was surprised on a walk with her pet dog by Giovanni, 30.

Admitting she was ‘sick with nerves’ before hand, the presenter revealed that she had a dream about Giovanni before their pairing and joked it was a premonition.

She quipped: ‘I actually had a dream about you, so dreams do come true!’ to which Giovanni replied: ‘I am so happy!’

Back in the studio, Giovanni revealed that their first dance next Saturday would be a Pasodoble to Beyonce, while Ranvir sweetly shared that her son, Tushaan, eight, is ‘super proud’ and told her she had to agree to take part. 

Next up was singer Hrvy, 21, real name Harvey Leigh Cantwell, who was surprised at Wembley Arena by Janette, 36. 

The star was left overjoyed to be with Janette, calling their partnership a ‘fiery mess’, he said: ‘We have the same excitement, we’re going to bounce off each other really well.’

Back in the studio, Hrvy, who tested positive for coronavirus earlier this month, was asked about how he was feeling since recovering and testing negative.

He said: ‘I can’t believe I made it this far, I tested positive, isolated with my family, I’m here.’ 

Elsewhere, Janette revealed she has to live separately from her husband and fellow pro Aljaz throughout the competition as they have to form a bubble with their celebrity partner.

Discussing their absence, presenter Claudia asked: ‘You’ve lived with Aljaz for ten years, you’ve had to form a bubble, both living alone… how is it?’

To which Janette joked: ‘I love it! I miss him terrible but we’re doing our best for the show, I’m so excited to start with Hrvy.   

Next up was retired American Football player Jason, 42, who admitted he is a ‘huge Strictly fan’ and he was surprised at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, ‘home of the NFL’, by professional dancer Luba, 30, who wore a full kit.

Shouting ‘yes’, he said: ‘When Luba ran round the corner, in the fill kit, I almost tackled her because I got a flashback but then I realised that wouldn’t be right. I am your student, let’s do this! Sometimes you win the Lotto, I won the Lotto today with Luba. I can’t stop smiling, I’m ready to get this party started!’

Speaking back in the studio, Jason, who shares daughter with Anaíya Bell, six, with ex Girls Aloud star Nadine Coyle, said he is excited for her to see him perform.

He said: ‘I think she’s [Anaíya] all about seeing me on the dance floor, she never saw me on the field but I have to impress her now!’ 

Next up with Jamie, who made history by being the first celebrity to appear on Strictly Come Dancing twice, returned to the show after he was forced to quit the 2019 series after the launch episode following a painful foot injury.

Talking about being back, he said: ‘It’s a little bit embarrassing, I’m here, super excited to be here and just so glad I got another chance to do it. I’ve been doing burpees, eating less cake, I feel ready to do it. I’m taking this competition seriously.’

It then showed the moment Jamie met his pro partner, Karen, in Chelsea, the reality star arrived on his Vespa scooter as he honked his horn in excitement.

He exclaimed: ‘This is honestly the greatest thing in the world, I have been dreaming about this for a whole year.’

Jamie failed to reunite with professional dancer Oti Mabuse. The duo were originally paired up on the 2019 series before he was forced to pull out over his injury, Oti went on to win the show with replacement contestant Kelvin Fletcher.

The Made In Chelsea star, who recently admitted he has felt under ‘pressure’ to do well after Oti and Kelvin scooped the coveted Glitterball Trophy, said back in the studio: ‘I am going to be super careful!’ as he poked fun at his past injury. 

Next up was Jacqui, 57, who was paired with Anton, 54, she admitted that former contestant Ed Balls had given her some advice. 

The politician joked: ‘I would never attempt the Gangnam Style [Ed’s iconic routine on the show]. He’s told me to really have fun and go for it!’  

Jacqui was surprised outside the Houses of Parliament by Anton who wore a fun disguise, she said: ‘I was really delighted it was Anton. If anyone can get me to be a dancer, Anton can do it and I’m really looking forward to it!’

Talking in the studio, she said she had only just introduced her mother to Strictly in 2019 and couldn’t believe she was now a contestant on the 2020 season. 

Next up to be paired was Maisie, 19, and Gorka, 30, as she admitted she hadn’t stopped smiling and had taken photos of all the costumes she has tried on so far.

The EastEnders star headed to the Strictly studio where she was surprised by Gorka, she said: ‘I have been wanting to go on Strictly since forever about to meet partner, it’s all very exciting, I cant wait, worked in Elstree my entire life literally across the road here, but this, this is my dream.’

Talking about the pairing, Gorka said: ‘It feels like Christmas has arrived early this time for me,’ to which Maisie said: ‘I am so happy, such a weight off my shoulders and Gorka is so lovely! As much as I’m excited, I am so nervous. It’s a whole new experience for me.’

Back in the studio, Maisie admitted she has had to move out of her house with her mother to be in a bubble and is living alone. She admitted it is the first time she is having to do all the cooking and cleaning by herself. While Gorka revealed that their first dance next week will be a samba.  

This year’s Strictly has been more anticipated than ever as the country is in the grip of the coronavirus crisis, and has seen drastic changes to ensure the series could go ahead, albeit with a shortened run. 

During the show, Tess and Claudia were separated from the orchestra by a clear perspex screen in order to adhere to Covid-19 regulations. 

The launch consisted of the celebrities discovering their professional partners for the first time, though in a post-COVID change, they were instead revealed via. video link.

This will allow for couples to form their own individual ‘bubbles’ for training and performances, meaning the stars will have maintain distance from each other during filming. 

The professional dancers took to the stage to showcase their dance moves with a sensation opener, and were also accompanied by a stunning performance by Joel Corry and MNEK.

Judges Craig, Shirley and Motsi also took their place on the panel, though this year saw them sat on separate desks to maintain social distancing.

Fourth judge Bruno has been unable to appear in the studio due to travel restrictions introduced by the COVID-19 pandemic, but will make guest appearances from his home in Los Angeles. 

Strictly has already had its fair share of scares even before Saturday’s launch, after Hrvy tested positive for coronavirus just days before filming for the launch was scheduled to take place.

It was called into question whether he would be able to take part, but he has since been declared COVID-free and can continue with training for the show.

It had been reported that stars and their professional partners may be forced to undertake daily checks for coronavirus after a former crew member tested positive days before the new series. 

The Sun has also claimed that bosses have a list of ‘stand-by’ celebrities for the show in case a star falls ill with relatives likely banned from rehearsals. 

This year has already seen the pros pre-record all of their group performances while isolating together in a hotel, and the couples have formed separate bubbles to train and perform together.  

The series will still feature a live audience, however fans will sit in small groups and will only be allowed to attend if from the same household or bubble.

In a recent Q and A, executive producer Sarah James shed light on the show’s contingency plans in light of the pandemic and insisted she’s ‘confident’ the competition series will go ahead even if the current coronavirus restrictions change. 

As the nation waits to see how the stars will fare, Strictly bosses have drawn up tough plans to deal with anyone who falls ill.

Sarah said: ‘Obviously according to government guidelines if you receive a positive test you have to isolate for two weeks and that would unfortunately rule them out of the show.’ 

This year’s series will be a pared down nine-week run with a very different look. The 12 partnerships – three less than usual – will be unveiled via video link rather than in the studio and the annual trip to the Blackpool Tower ballroom is also off the cards.

Explaining their use of the bubble system to ensure couples can train and perform, she added: ‘Close contact cohorts (CCC) apply to people who need to work closely and break social distancing rules to do their jobs. It has to only be with one person and you are regularly tested.

‘We are asking the celebrity contestants to be part of an exclusive support bubble with their dancers, which means that one half of the party has to live alone.’

The professionals spent two weeks in September isolating in a Buckinghamshire hotel so they could rehearse the group numbers.

Sarah also discussed how hairdressers and make-up artist have had to adjust to the new guidelines as she added: ‘Hair and make-up and costume are all allowed in accordance with government guidelines. 

‘We were able to have our hair and make-up team working with full PPE and sanitising once hairdressers and other facilities reopened. 

‘Hair and make-up were able to work with as many of the different cast as they wanted or needed to, but this year we’ll have specific makeup teams assigned to specific couples to ensure people don’t mix as much.’

Nadiya Bychkova, Neil Jones and Graziano Di Prima have been axed from the main line-up and won’t be coupled up with celebrity contestants for this year’s edition, but will instead form their own CCCs to perform together as support to guest singers on each show.  

Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 7:25pm on BBC One.