BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Full list of celebrities and professional partners

Strictly Come Dancing star Gorka Marquez has been dealt a devastating blow only 24 hours before the team gear up for the next live show, as the latest bookies' odds indicate that he and celebrity partner Nikita Kanda could be knocked out of the competition next. It's been a tough journey for the pair so fair this series, as after a difficult fortnight in the training room, 28 year old Nikita and Gorka, 33, ended up in the bottom two on the leaderboard. Following viewers' votes, the duo were unfortunately in the dance-off against gameshow host and comedian Les Dennis, 69.

Prepare for an extra sprinkle of Hollywood glamour on the dance floor this weekend, as Strictly Come Dancing's epic Movie Week is back.The 14 remaining dance couples are set to take on an eclectic range of performances inspired by La La Land's biggest films. After finding themselves in the dance-off last week, broadcaster Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez will hope their Jive to Kids In America from the 1995 hit Clueless will be enough to save them from a similar fate this time round.

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has had his say on Amanda Abbington's Salsa calling it “weird” and admitting it “doesn't excite me.” Amanda and Giovanni Pernice performed to Oye by Gloria Estefan and scored a grand total of 32 for their routine, after being an eight by the four judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke. But while the judges may have enjoyed the routine, Brendan slammed the inclusion of lifts and claimed it "fell off towards the end". He explained: "Lifts never excite me – it's not a tricky thing to do for a professional dancer so that kind of thing doesn't excite me.

Strictly Come Dancing professional Gorka Marquez is bringing "Barbie to the ballroom" as he will play Ken from the hit film Barbie in a professional performance during the results show on Sunday. In the spirit of movie week, Gorka channelled Hollywood star Ryan Gosling in the I’m Just Ken music scene of the 2023 comedy, sporting a white fluffy jacket, a bare chest, black sunglasses and bandana with the classic blonde hairdo.

Strictly Come Dancing fans noticed pro dancer Giovanni Pernice paying a sweet tribute to his previous dance partner Rose Ayling-Ellis during Sunday's results show. Giovanni won the competition in 2021 with Eastenders actress Rose, who was the show’s first-ever deaf contestant.

The first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing has been confirmed, following a shock dance off during Sunday's show. On Saturday, 30 September, the 15 stars of the series performed for the second time, but for the first time this year, the public could have their say through the vote.The scores were added to last week's scores, and it was delight for Layton Williams as he topped the leaderboard, but despair for Les Dennis as he finished bottom. It was then over to the public, and their votes meant that Les and his partner Nancy Xu would face Nikita Kanda and Gorka Márquez in the first dance off of the series.

Former Family Fortunes host Les Dennis has become the first celebrity to depart the Strictly Come Dancing dance floor this year. After the first public vote of the BBC One show's 21st series, the 69-year-old found himself up against radio presenter Nikita Kanda in Sunday’s dance-off.

Adam Thomas is clearly getting into the Strictly Come Dancing spirit as after his first set of rehearsals saw him wishing to get back home. This week he's keen to get back into training after being forced to miss a session before his second performance of the competition.

Strictly Come Dancing fans are hoping for love to blossom away from the ballroom for Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola. Viewers of the BBC One dance contest have been gushing over the new pairing online following their first performance on the show last weekend.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been saying the same thing about Giovanni Pernice and Amanda Abbington as they were seen taking a break from rehearsals. The pair are currently preparing for their second performance in the ballroom following their debut last weekend.

There are many important aspects of Strictly Come Dancing that make the fan-favourite BBC series what it is. Each week, viewers watch celebrities and their professional partners take to the ballroom’s floor to compete for the Glitterball trophy, dancing to some of the biggest hits. But who exactly are the members of the Strictly band as the programme returns with the 2023 lineup? Dave Arch Dave is the head of the show’s band and has the title of Musical Director.

Strictly Come Dancing fan super sleuths believe they have already worked out who will be leaving this year's series of the show after just one first live show - and it's not who you might expect. As the 15 core contestants took to the dancefloor for their first dances, detective fans are convinced they've 'worked out' who will be voted off first.The show on Saturday got off to a flying start with incredible debut performances all around including Nigel Harman's powerful Paso Doble which rightfully topped the leaderboard. Proving how highly talented this year's group is, the leaderboard then proceeded to have four celebrities in joint second place with Bobby Brazier, Layton Williams, Ellie Leach and Amanda Abbington all scoring a high 29 points each.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have praised Craig Revel-Horwood for this "honest" scoring and critiques following the first live show of the 2023 series, which aired on Saturday 23 September. Craig, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke are back on the judging panel for another year of Strictly.The celebrity line-up includes the likes of Adam Thomas, Bobby Brazier, Ellie Leach and Angela Scanlon. The judges' scores during Saturday's show appeared to divide viewers, with many surprisingly supporting Craig, who is regularly criticised for his harsh comments and low scores.

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left divided by Tess Daly’s outfit as she returned to present the first live show of the series with Claudia Winkleman. In a change from the usual glamorous dresses, Tess wore a chick white shirt with black sparkly trousers.

Katya Jones has become a familiar face on Strictly Come Dancing over the years, joining the show as a professional in 2016. In recent years, Katya has been paired with various celebrities, including Ed Balls and Nicola Adams. However, her most notable win was with Joe McFadden in 2017.Their chemistry and performances won them the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

It seems that the magic of the dance floor on the BBC's Strictly Come Dancing extends beyond the glitz and glamour, as several couples who met on the show have ended up starting families together. These heartwarming stories show that the connections formed on the Strictly Come Dancing stage can lead to beautiful and lasting partnerships beyond the dance floor. Let's take a look at all the Strictly bundles of joy that have come from the show.

Series 21 of S trictly Come Dancing is now in full swing after the launch show kicked off on BBC tonight (Sept 16). The first show of the series saw all 15 celebrities make their debut on the dancefloor together for the first time, as viewers finally found out which stars would be paired with which Strictly professionals.

Fifteen hopeful celebrities will be dancing it out to become the latest Strictly Come Dancing champion this autumn. The popular BBC One dance contest is back with its launch show on Saturday, September 16.

It's the night that Strictly Come Dancing fans have been waiting all year for as the launch show for the 21st series airs tonight (September 16). The much-loved BBC dance contest will return to screens with a brand new batch of celebrities set to take to the dancefloor for the first time.

The latest series of Strictly Come Dancing is to return to our screens - and it is now in its 21st series. The show, which first started in 2004, has seen plenty of drama on and off the dancefloor as hundreds of celebrities have taken part in the popular BBC One show.