It’s time to spray on that tan and shine those dancing shoes as it’s back to the ballroom as 15 celebrities prepare to make their Strictly Come Dancing debuts…
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are our hosts again on Friday night as our famous faces find out which of the show’s professional dancers they will be waltzing, jiving and quick-stepping with this series.
Among those hoping they’re hot to trot are pop legend Matt Goss, Paralympic gold medallist Ellie Simmonds and EastEnders actor James Bye who can't wait to get started...
What made you decide to do Strictly?
"I’m doing it mainly because I want my three sons to see that, in life, anything's achievable. They all laugh at me when I'm dancing around the kitchen - they think that daddy being on telly dancing will be the funniest thing they’ve ever seen!"
How do you rate your dancing skills?
"I've just not got that natural ‘thing’ that these dancers have. I think I can just about do the steps and then we can try and add some character into it. But I have no real dance training at all, so it may take me longer to pick stuff up. But I'm gonna give it everything."
Your EastEnders co-star Rose Ayling-Ellis won Strictly last year. Has she given you any tips?
"Rose Ayling-Ellis's Strictly journey was one of the most inspirational things I’ve ever watched on TV. Seeing Rose come out of herself to do what she did on the show was incredible. Rose told me to embrace every minute and enjoy it. Scott Maslen told me to make sure you eat loads and get that posture right and Jake Wood gave me advice about preparing for launch night."
What dances are you most looking forward to doing?
"I like the more intense dances like the Argentine Tango and Paso Doble, where you really get to play a character. I think my brain wants to do Latin… but my body wants to do ballroom!"
Are you enjoying being strictly-fied?
"Spray tans and sequins are a long way away from my normal daily life playing Martin Fowler, selling bananas and apples in my filthy clothes on the market in Walford. I’m enjoying all the different costumes on and playing different parts."
How will you balance Strictly with working on EastEnders?
"It's a massive commitment. Luckily both shows are filmed in Elstree, and my bosses at EastEnders have been very supportive in terms of quieting my storylines down to make sure I’m given the chance to do as best I can on Strictly. I think I'd be mad not to think about lifting the glitterball - as long as I can beat Rose, I'm not bothered where I get!"
Strictly Come Dancing kicks off with the launch show on Friday, September 23 at 7pm, followed by the first live show on Saturday, September 24 at 6.45pm on BBC1.
