Strictly's latest gang of stars shimmy and shine

STRICTLY’S class of 2024 all took to the dancefloor last night as they performed for the first time, with plenty of lighthearted laughs accompanying the legwork.

- Julia Kuttner

BBC bosses are keen to put the fun back into Saturday night for the 20th anniversary series, after a year blighted by bullying allegations and dancer sackings.

All 15 new contestants were given a free pass to next week after their debut routines – and one in particular is feeling the benefit of all that enforced exercise already.

Portly singer Wynne Evans, best known for starring in Go Compare adverts, joked that he has “lost a few chins”.

The Welsh warbler, 52, who at his heaviest weighed 23 stone but lost seven stone two years ago, says professional partner Katya Jones is helping him shift the pounds.

Viewers saw the pair perform a Samba to Help Yourself by Wynne’s fellow Welshman Tom Jones last night.

Beforehand, Wynne – who wore a chef’s outfit – admitted his biggest worry was the possibility he might dislocate his hip.

The father-of-two said: “There’s a bit of timber coming off at the neck and I’ve nearly got down to single digit chins so it’s all going right.