Ballroom Battle

It’s sequins at dawn as this year’s Strictly couples waltz on to the dance floor

- Emma Bullimore, Claire Crick

LIVE ENTERTAINMENT

Strictly Come Dancing

Saturday, BBC1 HD, 6.15pm

They say it takes two to tango, and the Strictly celebs now get the chance to prove it after being paired with their professional partners.

For the past couple of weeks, they’ve been locked in training rooms, desperate to nail those dazzling routines. They’ll need chemistry, perseverance and a sprinkling of sequins to stand out, as all 15 couples take to the dance floor for the first time on Saturday.

As has now become tradition, there will be no elimination this weekend, but the judges will give their scores, which will be carried over to next week. Among the class of 2018 are former England cricketer Graeme Swann (paired with p ro dancer Oti Mabuse), documentary-maker Stacey Dooley (with Kevin Clifton) and Red Dwarf actor Danny John-Jules (with Amy Dowden, who made her debut last year).

Here, they reveal what drew them to the world of rhinestones and rumbas – and rate their chances of winning…

What made you sign up to Strictly?