Strictly Come Dancing 2016 launches – and Tameka Empson is noticed

Strictly Come Dancing 2016 launched and finally revealed who this year’s 15 celebrities will be dancing with, which made EastEnders star Tameka Empson a little giddy

EastEnders star Tameka Empson stole the show when Strictly Come Dancing opened its 14^th series, not with her slick, sharp moves but with her slick, sharp humour… She made quite an entrance in the arms of new pro dancer Gorka Marquez.

Then Tameka tried a few spins and got so dizzy she had to hold on to co-presenter Tess Daly. But she showed she has some moves, too…

“I’m adoring Tameka. I love her. And I think Gorka is going to be fantastic with her,” said the notoriously difficult judge Craig Revel Horwood – and he was smiling when he said it, not scowling.

“Strictly has always been a favourite of mine,” says Tameka. “So when the opportunity knocked I answered the door and said, ‘Welcome, come on in! I’ve been waiting for you’.

“I wouldn’t mind a stern partner,” Tameka continued – and then she was introduced to Gorka.

“I like a strong man – he’ll do,” she said, giving his muscles a once-over with Tess’s help.

“I’m looking forward to doing the show dance in the final. There, I’ve said it,” Tameka added, with a cheeky smile.

Judges Craig, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, presenters Tess and Claudia Winkleman and the pro dancers launched the new series from a space ship.

But they were all brought back down to Earth for the main business of the first show: pairing the celebrity contestants with their pro dancers.

Strictly Come Dancing — *Judges Len, Darcey, Craig and Bruno are ready for rumbas, and waltzes…*

This series’ pro dancers also strutted their stuff, to remind us what they’re made of…a lot of very watchable snappy movements, toe pointing, hip-wriggling, booty-shaking, floor-sliding, fake tan and glitter.

And to show this year’s contestants what winners look like, last year’s Strictly champions, Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani, returned to showcase their Jive.