Strictly Come Dancing 2021: The celebrities turn up the glamour for their professional photos
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: Katie McGlynn and AJ Odudu slip into their sequinned glad rags as this year’s celebrities turn up the glamour ahead of brand new series
The nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to kick off on September 18th, followed by the first live show on the 25thThe Strictly celebrities turned up the glamour for their professional photos ahead of the brand new seriesThe 2021 star-studded celebrity line-up includes Tom Fletcher, Ugo Monye, AJ Odudu, Coronation Street’s Katie McGlynn, Tilly Ramsay and EastEnders’ Nina WadiaAmong the pros returning this year is reigning champ Oti Mabuse, Diane Buswell, Karen Hauer, Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni PerniceWhile new professionals Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington and Nikita Kuzmin have joined the line-upAnton Du Beke is missing from the line-up as he’s set for a stint behind the judges desk as Bruno’s replacement, who remains unable to take part due to travel uncertainty caused by the pandemicAnton, who filled in as a judge for a two-week stint last year, will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas for the forthcoming series
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The nineteenth series of Strictly Come Dancing is set to kick off next weekend.
And the celebrities preparing to put their moves to the test looked sensational as they posed for their professional photographs.
Beaming wide smiles and donning dazzling outfits, the cast of 2021 looked more than ready to grace that famous Strictly dancefloor.
Strictly Come Dancing 2021: The celebrities turned up the glamour for their professional photos ahead of the brand new series
Not only did the star-studded line up strike their best poses for the sparkling group snap, they all showcased their glitz and glamour for individual shots taken in front of jazzy backdrop.
Among the celebrities who are competing for the chance to raise that iconic glitterball trophy is McFly star Tom Fletcher, who cut a dapper figure in a gleaming white suit.
While the likes of AJ Odudu, Katie McGlynn and Tilly Ramsay looked simply stunning ahead of the highly anticipated new series.
New series: Among the celebrities who are competing for the chance to raise that iconic glitterball trophy is McFly star Tom Fletcher, who cut a dapper figure in a gleaming white suit
Glam: AJ Odudu (l) and Katie McGlynn (r) looked simply stunning ahead of the highly anticipated new series
Dancing shoes: Tilly Ramsay said she ‘can’t wait’ to get her dancing shoes on
EastEnders actress Nina Wadia looked as though she was already practising her dance moves as she stunned in a sparkly number.
Completing the female line up is Rose Ayling-Ellis, Judi Love and Sara Davies, who all stepped into the famous gold ballroom heels for the professional snaps.
Meanwhile, the male celebrities did not fail to cut spruce figures, with sports pundit Ugo Monye also sporting his signature specs.
Elegant: EastEnders actress Nina Wadia looked as though she was already practising her dance moves as she stunned in a sparkly number
Pose: Sara Davies (l) and Judi Love (r) stepped into the famous gold ballroom heels for the professional snaps
Ballgown: Rose Ayling-Ellis looked a vision in her glamorous dress
Smart: Meanwhile, the male celebrities did not fail to cut spruce figures, with sports pundit Ugo Monye also sporting his signature specs
Chef and Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite showed a peek of his pecs as he donned a mesh black shirt.
Swimmer Adam Peaty and journalist Dan Walker also looked incredibly smart ahead of the new series.
Completing the male line up is Greg Walker, Rhys Stephenson and Robert Webb, with the former two stars embracing bold, statement suit jackets.
Handsome: Chef and Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite showed a peek of his pecs as he donned a mesh black shirt
Dapper: Swimmer Adam Peaty (l) and journalist Dan Walker (r) also looked incredibly smart ahead of the new series
Ready for business: Completing the male line up is Greg Walker (above) Rhys Stephenson and Robert Webb
Competing for the glitterball: Rhys (l) and Robert (r) embraced bold, statement suit jackets
The veteran dance show was famously disrupted in 2020 thanks to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
But it seems things are back to normal in 2021 – apart from one or two factors still deemed too tricky to navigate amid the global health crisis.
The Blackpool episode ordinarily takes place near the end of the series, but was axed last year with restrictions throwing up logistical difficulties on the production.
The judges: Anton Du Beke will join Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas full-time for the forthcoming series of the BBC One show
But 2021 will include the show’s themed weeks – such as movie week, musicals week and Halloween week.
Last year, these were scrapped, proving too complicated to manage amid the pandemic. The show’s Christmas special will also be back, with the show set to start in its usual early-autumn time slot, rather than in October, like last year.
The full 15 celebrities will be taking part again, having cut to 12 last series.
It comes as Strictly Come Dancing bosses have reportedly put a kissing ban on contestants in a bid to stop Covid causing havoc again for the new series.
Producers are said to have told this year’s stars ‘one snog and you’re out’ after last series celebs Maisie Smith and HRVY allegedly broke social distancing rules because of a brief romance.
BBC are desperate to avoid the chaos coronavirus brought last year, which saw boxer Nicola Adams and her professional dance partner Katya Jones withdraw from the competition following a positive test, and HRVY nearly not taking part.
An insider told The Sun: ‘Although the pandemic has eased since last year’s series, the BBC aren’t taking any chances.
‘This kissing ban is likely to be part of a package of measures introduced by producers to make the show as safe as possible.
‘They want to minimise the risk of any bombshells, particularly as a studio audience is being brought back into the studio this year.’
MailOnline contacted BBC for comment at the time.