Launch Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing, the Return of the Glitterball!

For eight samba-less months, the dancers have been

Earth awaits, 50 million rumba walks away.

Will Starship Strictly make it in time?

Everything lies in the hands of these two women.

Claudia, are you sure you know how to fly this thing?

Of course, Tess, don't worry, it's hardly rocket science.

Actually, I suppose technically, it is.

MUSIC: Star Wars - The Imperial March.

Sorry, darlings, a little bit of cosmic dust!

Prepare the glitter cannons.

SAT-NAV: In 500 light years' time, turn left at Uranus.

That's not how they say it where I come from.

MUSIC: Physical by Olivia Newton-John.

# Have a two, three # Leave a good tip

# Imma blow all my money and don't give two...

# I love to dance, so give me more, more

# If you want more, more Then here I am

Welcome to the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2016!

It was quite difficult driving a rocket but we managed it.

And now ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the stars

Like being at the biggest premiere in your life.

Walking down the red carpet, doing a bit of dancing,

I've swapped the red sofa for the red carpet and I'm

A lot of my life has been building up to this moment.

I've got the shirt, I've got the sparkles.

The House of Commons has nothing better this.

It's a madness you always have wanted and I'm excited.

All these people here just to celebrate me.

This is the fun stuff but now it's time

MUSIC: Everybody Dance Now/Can't Stop The Feeling.

Please welcome your hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman!

Hello and welcome to Strictly Come Dancing 2016!

And wasn't that routine out of this world?

And we've bought a few stars home with us.

Tonight, we'll also be bringing you two brilliant music

performances, one from Rebecca Ferguson, and

We will also be introducing you to not one, not two

We're going to need a bigger dancefloor.

And last year's winners, Jay and Aliona, are back to perform one

of the most memorable dances in the history of Strictly.

And tonight is the night when we pair up our 15

new celebrities with their professional partners.

And of course, our brand-new dancing couples will be

hoping to impress four very important people.

And of course, it's Len's last series.

And Craig's as well, but we haven't told him yet.

Our celebrities are all waiting backstage.

Possibly the most nervous they've ever been and eager to find out

TV presenter and singer, Louise Redknapp.

BBC sports presenter, Ore Oduba.

Star of Judge Rinder, Robert Rinder.

Olympic gymnast, Claudia Fragapane.

TV presenter and radio DJ, Melvin Odoom.

From BBC Breakfast, Naga Munchetty.

World champion long jumper, Greg Rutherford.

EastEnders star, Tameka Empson.

Former Shadow Chancellor, Ed Balls.

Let's give a huge welcome to the cast of 2016!

Take a deep breath and take it all in.

Your Strictly journey is about to get real, very real.

Soon each one of you will be partnered

with a dance professional, the person who could

..the almost mythical Glitterball Trophy!

Once our celebrities have been paired up,

they will hit the training rooms to learn their routines for our

first live show in three weeks' time, but tonight, they can relax

because there will be no scoring and no voting.

But there will be dancing, as all 15 will take to the floor

for the very first time in a colossal group number.

We're expecting all the right moves but not necessarily

Watching that performance very carefully will be our judges.

Head Judge Len, what do you think of this year's line up?

Look at the girls, they are all frisky and risky,

Bruno, you saw all our celebrities walk down the stairs.

Just by the way that they use the bannister, who would you say

is going to win Strictly Come Dancing?

I tell you one thing, by the way I saw them

sashaying down the stairs I could see images of graceful flamingos,

agile cheaters, a few stampeding wildebeests...

But you know, it's early days because overall,

they are wonderful, a fantastic cast for a magnificent season 14.

Now, it's the moment Tess has been looking

Yes, it's time to pair up our famous 15

So let's meet our first group of girls.

Louise Redknapp, Anastacia, Laura Whitmore and Naga Munchetty.

Louise Redknapp, singing sensation, TV presenter and mum of two, is

taking Strictly training to another level.

I think people best known me for music, back in the Eternal days.

I just need a partner that is kind of kind, and obviously,

I'm going to need patience, don't expect too much too soon.

Now is the perfect time for me to be Strictly.

For so many years, my children needed to come

first and I never felt I could give it my all.

They are older now and I feel I deserve to do something that

BBC Breakfast and news presenter Naga Munchetty has a

secret weapon up her sleeve to win over the Strictly audience.

I'm quite known for a bit of a death stare.

I'm used to the idea of millions of people watching me on television.

However, not in front of hundreds of people

who are watching us in an audience, who can see every little mistake!

BBC Breakfast Has a real history with Strictly come dancing.

Chris Hollins, Bill Turnbull, Susanna Reid, Carol Kirkwood, and

I just hope I can follow in their great dancing footsteps.

I'm going to embrace it because I don't ever

want to look back on this experience and think,

Pop star Anastacia is no stranger to Strictly, having sung in

I was lucky enough to perform on the show

You just get swept away with the magic of everything

I just said, "Yes, yes, let's do it".

Right now, sitting in his chair, I really wish

I'm a good pointer and microphone, like,

For me, I'm not crazy about the militant, "Dude

I'm definitely not the person who is like, "Yeah, yell

I'd have to do cry and do ten push-ups.

I am super looking forward to the show.

Our next contestant kick-started her career as an MTV

So my first job was to interview Chris

Martin in LA and I was so out of my depth.

Kind of like the situation I'm in now!

I actually got some dancing tips on Tom Hanks.

And I showed him my robot which I don't think is

One of the dances I can do on Strictly. So that's probably

useless. When it comes to dance partners,

they'll probably have to be a little bit discipline

and tummy to shut up. If we are on a night out

and the music comes on, What I'm doing on the dance

floor is questionable. It's time for me to stop

talking and start dancing! And first up, she was in

Eternal but how long Our very first pairing and you have

got the pick of the bunch. Yeah, really nervous

but excited as well. It's just the unknown a little bit

so I'm looking forward to getting OK, we have eight marvellous male

dancers that you could be partnered with and I promise they

have absolutely no idea either who We have Anton, Brendan, Aljaz,

Kevin, Pasha, Giovanni, or will it be one of our

new boys, Gorka or AJ? Dancers, will you please take

your positions? You're all giggling!

I know, like a teenager! Big smiles all around.

Really happy. Our first happy couple.

Off you go to see Claudia. And next, she is

a Breakfast presenter but will she snap, crackle

and pop on the dance floor? Fantastic, it's a very different

look to what you wear on Very, very different

but I think I would merge I think we should make the sofa in

this material. Don't be scared.

I'm scared for them! He's a wonderful teacher

and he is also the 2014 champion. I'm sure you'll make

headlines together. Let's hope she doesn't

dance out of time. Yes, Anastacia or should

I say Bling-a-stacia! You know, I've always

dreamed of this much bling And you have sold over 30 million

records, haven't you? So we know you can sing

but crucially, can you dance? I just want to tell

you that I'm really glad to We are about to meet

your dancing partner. Is it?

You'll be fine. Watch this space, it's

Anastacia and Brendan! And next, can she move

as well as she looks? Big Bird!

No, beautiful bird. You are a self-confessed

Strictly fan. I am, I love the show,

I've seen every How does it feel to be

standing in the studio now? It's quite surreal because I've

watched every series normally with my mam and if I have not

watched it with her, we always talk about it

on the phone afterwards. So she's already booked her flight

to come over as soon as she can. Well, she's going to be

very interested in who She actually is, I had a phone call

before this. OK, you are going to

be dancing with... Look at their little faces,

trying to look nonchalant. A fiery combination,

Laura and Giovanni. We still have 11 more celebrities

to match up with their professional partners but before that,

let's find out how our first four Laura, you say that

you are our biggest super fan. Is it everything you

thought it would be? There's even more

sparkles than I thought. Naga, I have to ask you,

what advice did you get from Carol because I presume it was, whatever

you do, get Pasha? Louise, all you said you wanted

was somebody kind and patient. I have to tell you,

you have got the most kind, I am and I did say that

to you and everyone has such lovely things to say about Kevin so

super excited. And also, so lovely

to be with your partner, right, because you just

know you are fine. I think they are all going to win

but what do the judges Yes, thanks, Claudia,

let's find out. We are yet to see them

strut their stuff, of course, but Len, what do you think

of the pairings we Every morning, having my

breakfast, I watch Naga. And I think these four

are a bit like muesli. They are tasty, satisfying

and a little bit fruity. More match-making coming up very

soon, when we pair up our first set Performing her brilliant track

Bones, it's Rebecca Ferguson. # I wish that you could

see who I really am # It's tough being a woman

in love with an unkind man # In fact, I already do

And how do you repay that? # Talk to me like I'm just a regular

tramp trying to do you over # Have you even got a clue

what I gave up just to be here? # To serve you with

your steak and beer? # Baby that's love

Baby that's love # Baby that's for real

Baby that's for real # And all I've ever wanted

was for your loving arms # To wrap themselves

around me and say # Hey girl, you're the prettiest

thing my eyes have ever seen # Come and lay your

bones down with me # Come and lay your bones

down with me # Hey girl, you're the prettiest

thing my heart has ever known # Come and lay your bones down

with me # Come and lay your

bones down # I'm not trying to play the victim,

don't wanna go head to head # But boy I shouldn't have

to stand in the mirror # And maybe you should

say I'm beautiful # When I'm layin' right next

to you in my own room? # I feel like you don't

even know I'm there # But I put a brush

through my hair for you # Run my fingertips over

your back real smooth # Boy I need love

Boy I need love # I don't get enough

I don't get enough # And all I've ever wanted

was for your loving arms # To wrap themselves

around me and say # Hey girl, you're the prettiest

thing my eyes have ever seen # Come and lay your

bones down with me # Come and lay your bones

down with me # Hey girl, you're the prettiest

thing my heart has ever known # I look you dead in

the eyes and say I love you # In the eyes and say

I want you # In the eyes and say

this is what I'm asking for # Come and lay

your bones down # Hey girl, you're the prettiest

thing my eyes have ever seen # Come and lay your bones down

with me # Hey girl, you're the prettiest

thing my heart has ever known # Come and lay your

bones down with me #. Thank you to Rebecca

and of course our brilliant professionals, Brendan

and Joanne, Aljaz and Natalie and our new dancers,

AJ and Chloe. Some very nervous celebrities

waiting to be paired up. Tameka, love of my life,

what is going on in That's what's going

on in my head right now! That, by the way, is officially my

favourite answer I have ever got. Will Young, you are used

to playing in huge arenas. How does this compare

in the fear ratings? This is worse?

I'm terrified. I want to start

a hashtag, #helpwill. No, someone cuddle him.

Feel my hands, they are so sweaty. No, you'll be fine.

You're going to be brilliant. #HelpWill!

I'm making T-shirts. Now, Leslie, I'm not just saying

this but this year, you all seem to be getting on so well,

I know it's early days. You know what, it is early days

but everyone is Everyone's happy apart from, well,

you are happy to be here, but what I like is you are so scared,

you can't even hear This has been a dream

for a very long time but now when the band

strikes up, nightmares. You are scared, I know,

I saw you earlier, under a chair. You're going to be fine.

I've gone to my happy place now. He will look after you.

You see? Now, all our celebrities

are lucky enough to be paired with the

world's best dancers. And joining our cast

this They are about to perform

in a party dance of Let's see what they can do

through the medium of... Ladies and gentlemen, I give

you the 2016 Strictly professionals! First up, four time British Latin

champion, Kevin Clifton! And world mambo champion,

Karen Clifton! Ten time Australian

ballroom champion, 19 time Slovenian champion,

Aljaz Skorjanec. And international Latin

superstar, Janette Manrara. First ever Strictly champion,

Brendan Cole. Legend of the ballroom, Anton Du

Beke and world ballroom show US national finalist

in 2014, Strictly Eight time samba and Latin

champion, Oti Mabuse and Italian Latin champion,

Giovanni Pernice. And introducing six

new professional dancers. Introducing Ukrainian Latin

champion, Oksana Platero. British, European and

world Latin champions, Three-time undefeated

British youth Latin champions, AJ Pritchard

and Chloe Hewitt. And finally, Spanish

and Latin dance sensation,

Gorka Marquez. Thank you to our fantastic

professionals and a huge welcome In a couple of minutes,

we'll be matching up our I can't wait to see Olympic

athlete Greg Rutherford. Because I've always been

a fan of a long jumper. It's Melvin Odoom, Greg Rutherford,

Judge Rinder and Danny Mac. DJ and TV presenter Melvin Odoom

can't wait to mix it up on the floor "Oh, my goodness, you are

on Strictly Come Dancing! We need to call grandma,

we need to call auntie". "Oh, OK, yeah, that's great,

OK, good". There's a lot of timing

involved, a lot of rhythm and my music

knowledge should help. I'm kind of used to being

in weird outfits like You can't put me in any

thing I'll be scared of. I'm going to be the Beyonce of

Strictly. I don't know if that's

a good thing but He won a gold at the

London Olympics and a Hoping to leap his way

to the top, it's long jumper, But I'm incredibly nervous

at the prospect of Strictly. My son loves dancing,

funnily enough. If you put music on, he bounces

around like no tomorrow. If anything, we should

have him on the show because I think he'd be

an awful lot better than I am. I'm quite worried about

the prospect of having to hold I have a big, horrible smile

and just to give you an idea of you I was a bit disappointed

with the bronze medal in Rio. I'm going to be working

incredibly hard to rectify losing at the Olympics,

to try to win at Strictly. Our next contestant is known

for judging real-life cases on national television,

the formidable Judge Rinder. Anyone that has watched my programme

knows that I'm very, very It will be interesting

to see how the judges I love Strictly because it's

absolute joy and escapism. But I always want to act

in a thoroughly thoughtful But if you get involved

in a competition like this, I mean, who went into

the competition saying, I can't wait to swap

the courtroom for the ballroom. Hollyoaks heart-throb Danny Mac

is no stranger to a bit of drama. Dodger had some pretty

interesting storylines. His rivalry with his brother

was probably my favourite. And fathered his brother's

ex-girlfriend's child. I am so excited to take

part in Strictly. Dancing was a part of my course

when I started college at 18. It is going to be so different

from anything else I've done. I'm still trying to work

out what ballroom is, I literally don't know

what any of it means! First, he spins records

on the radio but I bet his head Now, your mum is your

biggest fan isn't she? It is time to find out who your

dance partner is. It could be Natalie,

Janette, Karen, Joanne, Oti, or will it be one

of our new professionals, Please take your

positions on the floor. Remember,

they don't have a clue who they are going to get either so,

Melvin, the lady you will be Your mum is laughing harder

than anyone, by I like that kind of reaction,

yes, yes! That's good, off

you go, it is Melvin Next we know he can

jump, but can he jive? This entire process

is destroying me inside. I'm used to competing when I run

in a straight Greg, your professional

dance partner will be... A lovely

lift already. Thrilled. Like, this is exactly what

I wanted. They look like a winning couple to

me, it's Greg and Natalie! Time now to pair up our next

celebrity, and I hope there'll That's one way of

describing it, yeah. How on earth are you going to cope

with being judged yourself? Well, just as long as Darcey, Len

and Bruno is as brilliant as I think they are, I think it

will be perfect. I think you missed someone out on

the panel. I've never been this nervous

about meeting a girl. There's a first time

for everything on this show. Now in Hollyoaks he

played Mark Savage. It could be a good omen,

as Mark Savage is Craig's Danny Boy, are you ready to meet

your new partner? You can put him down now,

put him down now, sweetie. I can see

you were surprised. Off you go, go and get bonding,

it's Danny and Oti. Now Danny, you look good

standing, what happens Can you do anything, can you show

me anything? I have a rogue shoulder

and that's about it. Judge Rinder, is it true you've

been learning Russian? What phrase or what word in Russian

is Judge Rinder going to hear I think she's asked me

to go shopping at Tesco. Melvin, can I point out to

the people at home, what I love most Everyone's terrified,

shaking, being sick, you constantly have a hand

in your pocket. You wake up at 4am every day to do

your Kiss radio show. Early start but I have a great

teacher right here and the These four are winning material,

but what do the judges think? Bruno, at this early

stage, which partnership Kevin and Louise look

ready for magic to me. There's something about the two,

I know them for a very long time in the temperament as

performers, it could be fantastic. Darcey, we're looking forward

to the group dance later. Knowing the rest, I mean,

I can only expect wow factor. "Spectacular", "amazing",

"incredible" ? just a few of the words that the Judges used

to describe last year's Before we see them dance,

let's remind ourselves Being on Strictly

absolutely exceeded my Ali and I made some amazing

memories, produced some brilliant dances and found

the most awesome friendship. The whole experience

together was incredible. Lifting the Glitterball

was unbelievable. I had an amazing seven

years on Strictly. It's incredible to

leave on such a high. Being given the chance to dance one

last time with Aliona Please welcome back for one final

dance, Jay and Aliona. Lightning can strike

twice, that was amazing. Jay, how does it feel to be

back in the ballroom? Aliona, your last time performing

in the Strictly ballroom as well? Jay helped me to lift the

Glitterball, second time. I'm sure it's going to

be an amazing series. We've got 15 absolutely

terrified celebrities. I would say just support

each other, root for each other when you watch each

other and have a blast, because I remember Caroline Flack said last

year, you won't do anything like These two turned out

to be perfect partners. Now let's see how this year's

celebrities got on when they met the professional dancers

for the very first time. Strictly's back, can you

believe it? Feels like it's going

to be a good year. I have pictured a final again

already. That's good news, because

guess what? What?

We're here. As you know, it is the

first day of Strictly. Are you ready to meet

your new classmates? Students, on three,

lower your books. I've never seen so many

attractive people I have a bubbling

excitement inside me. I don't know if I can dance any

more, it's been so long. Professionals, please

take your new students for their It's day one, I can't

believe this is our group dance, this is the one we're

actually doing on telly. They think they know

what they're about to go through,

but they have no idea. I thought we would be

just touch stepping. That's the sign of

a very good dancer. Keeping with your partner,

keeping time with them, the steps I don't think my problem

will be stamina. My problem will be not

looking like a right idiot. When I miss a step, I get annoyed

and I miss even more steps. I feel so sorry for whoever gets me

as their partner. I was teaching Aljaz

a bit of Irish dancing. One thing to bring to the

show... Who would have known I know

how to do the splits? You think you've nailed one bit

and then they bring another bit in. Look at this array of

fabulousness this year. Hopefully they'll all want to dance

with me, because that will be really awkward

if they don't. Everyone's trying to

get the moves down. If the energy in this room

is anything to go by, Still to come, that group number

they were all rehearsing for and I hear Claudia might

even throw in a couple I meant Claudia, the Olympic

gymnast, not you! It's time to pair our final

four ladies. Let's meet Claudia Fragapane,

Daisy Lowe, Lesley Joseph Hoping to tumble her way to the top,

it's Olympian, Claudia Fragapane. I won four golds at

the Commonwealth Games. This year, being at the Olympic

Games was an honour, showing everyone all

your incredible moves. When you land the last tumble and

the crowd goes wild, it's amazing. With Strictly, I want

to do exactly the same. I'm really looking forward

to meeting my partner and want them to be

really strict with me. On Strictly, we have

to dance in heels. I'm going to go out

there and smash it. International model Daisy Lowe

is known for her That's not the only

string to her bow. Then I designed

a collection when I was 21. I'm not a chef, it was just one

cook book that I did. I like to have lots of extra

curricular creative projects I think I do have quite

good natural rhythm. I'm most looking forward to finding

out who my partner is, firstly, because that is again

making me shake like a leaf. They will probably struggle

with how much I talk. I'm so excited to be part of the

Strictly family. I love all the sparkle

and the costumes and the hair and make up and

actually just doing it. Birds of a Feather actress,

Lesley Joseph is ready Make up, the hair, the dresses,

the whole drama of it all. I've never had a spray

tan in my life. I've spent 25 years playing

Dorian Green from Birds of a She loved her hunky, young men

so Strictly should be a doddle I first did ballet

when I was about five. I think it's true that I'll be

the oldest female contestant to ever You know what, I think that

should be inspirational. You know, if I can do

it, anybody can do it. Millions tune in to see Tameka

Empson play Kim Fox in EastEnders. Will she bring that trademark drama

to the Strictly ballroom? People might say Kim

and myself are very similar. Do me a favour.

Do me a favour. I'm looking forward

to meeting my lovely I don't mind them being a bit stern,

a bit strong. The dance that I'm looking forward

to is the cha-cha-cha and I'm looking forward to doing

the showdance in the finals. We are left with four

girls and four boys. But can she raise

the bar on Strictly? Lovely to have you on the show.

Thank you. How does it feel to be one

of our youngest ever Yeah, it's really nice.

Everyone mothers me, it's lovely. I can't wait to find out who your

partner is. Yes. Claudia, you'll be performing on the

floor with... AJ, one of our new pros,

welcome to the show. You've got Claudia,

and she can do the splits. They're going to be good, these two,

off you go, Claudia and AJ! Next, her name is Lowe,

but let's hope her scores What are you looking

for in your professional partner? I would like someone to be

pretty tough with me And just someone that actually

really takes the mickey out of me I guess it's going to be quite

intense, isn't it? You'll be strutting

your stuff with... Are you going to be

really tough with me? Are you going to have lots

of laughs? We are now left with two celebrity

girls, Lesley and Tameka. Who will get Anton

and who will get Gorka? She's a bird of a feather,

but will she fly high when she finds Are you good?

Yes. Fantastic to have you here.

I'm so excited. I'm reasonably fit for a woman

of my age, thank you very much. Yeah, I just want to get out

there moving and shaking the booty, Are you going to give the other

girls a run for their money? I hope so.

Yes, I am. That's a yes.

Fighting talk from Lesley. So, we're going to

meet your pro dancer. Will it be Anton

or will it be Gorka? We know that Dorian loved

a hunky, young man. Lesley, your hunky, young

partner is... He went to the final

in the last series. We're going to make it

to the final, I've decided. Finally she lights up

Walford, but will she light I don't think you even

need him, do you? I just need to hold onto you a bit

loppinger. -- Longer. I'm in a tiz. Is there anyone in particular you've

got your eye on? Well, what can I say, I still have to look up to him.

He's very strong. Strong? Yes, who knows how to lift me up. And place

me down. On the floor to dance. I've got someone in mind for you. You do?

I do. You do? His name? His name is... It's Gorka! Ah!

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Crucially, are you strong, flex your

muscles? He'll do. Definitely muscles. Grrr... I think you best

start planning that Showdance. Oh, yes, yes, definitely. Yes, let's go.

Because she wants it. She told us. Tameka and Gorka!

APPLAUSE That is all our ladies paired up.

Thank you, Tess, up you come. APPLAUSE

Terrifying waiting till the end, but you're happy. I know, best things

come to those who wait. I got myself a corker here. I'm just saying. Just

saying hashtag, just saying. LAUGHTER

He takes me to higher places. Congratulations. Lesley, I know that

you were loving hair, make up. Everything. Will you be sleeping in

it? Yes, for the rest of my time on Strictly. This is not going off my

body. You were so excited, when it was announced, you, I believe, had a

bath in just glitter. Just glitter, every day. This is your bag right,

you are the best of the best. You dance, you're judged, you get

medals, do you just think, why are you nervous, this is a walk in the

park? No, I'm so nervous! I feel really sick. Don't be sick on me,

this is a borrowed dress. LAUGHTER

You're going to be absolutely fine. Now AJ, I don't mean to be

offensive, but you look like 11-and-a-half to me. Have you got

permission from your school? Yes. You're all right to be here. I think

they're going to be fantastic. What do I know? What do the judges think?

Craig, you always talk about armography, in particular the

fingers and thumbs. Which of our new pairings get the thumbs up from you?

I am loving Danny and Oti. They're going to do very well together. I'm

adoring Tameka. I love her. I think Gorka will be fantastic with her.

Aren't we all. We are moments away from matching up our final three

men. First welcome a very special guest. Performing You Don't Know

Love, it's Olly Murs. # Cause I've learned

more from what's missing # It's about me and not about

you # Thanks to you I know

lies, lies, lies # How it feels when

love dies, dies, dies # And you told me goodbye, bye,

bye # I don't know when it's

over, when it's over # You don't know love

'til it tears up your heart # And cuts and it

leaves you with scars # You don't know love

You don't know love # What I feel,

can't write in a letter # Thanks to you I know

lies, lies, lies # How it feels when

love dies, dies, dies # And you told me goodbye, bye,

bye # I don't know when it's

over, when it's over # You don't know love 'til

it tears up your heart # And cuts and it

leaves you with scars # You don't know love

# Feels like you died when it's missing

# You don't know love You don't know love

# You, you, you, you You won't ever get no better

# You, you, you, you Got a lot more to lose

# You, you, you, you You won't ever, ever get it

# You don't know love You don't know love

# You don't know love 'til it tears up your heart

# And cuts and it leaves you with scars

# You don't know love You don't know love

# Feels like you died when it's missing

# You don't know love You don't know love

and our professional dancers Kevin and Karen, Neil and Katya

Now it's time to meet our final three.

It's Ore Oduba, Will Young and Ed Balls.

Ore is used to the pressure of presenting live TV. But when it

comes to Strictly, he's not quite so calm. OK. Ooohhh. Fair to say I'm

petrified. Being a live TV presenter can have its moments and in Rio, I

definitely felt a couple of those. Dodge the waves, that's the first

thing. Oh, dear. That day, I learned about foot work. I'm massively

excited to get partnered with one of the professionals here. My partner

will have to have a large shoulder, because there could be a lot of

crying on it. Massive cry baby here. Every time. Political heavyweight Ed

Balls is used to the pressure of politics, but of perfect pirouettes,

he's not so sure. The family's a bit worried about my dancing prowess.

I'm coming in slightly below novice. So hoping for some improvement. I

was a member of Parliament in the Shadow Chancellor from 2011 to 2015,

until the general election, when I lost my seat. Every year, at the

Labour Party Conference, my wife, Yvette and I have hit the dance

floor. I'm afraid there's rather too many revealing pictures. After that,

things can only get better. I'm used to having tough exchanges over the

dispatch box in the House of Commons, but this is going to be

much tougher. Singer song writer and actor Will Young can't wait to

immerse himself into his new role on Strictly. I really enjoy playing

loads of different characters in my videos. I played a Top Gun pilot.

Been a superhero, a dog trainer, a collector. The judges are very

constructive in their criticism. I love Len, essentially I want to

become his friend. I love you. I am the person that is in his kitchen on

a Tuesday night trying to do a rumba. I've done a bit of dance. I

went to a musical theatre college for a term. I've never done any

ballroom or Latin. As a Strictly fan, I watch it. I try and recreate

it. It just depends if I can do the moves! We're left with three male

celebrities and three female pros. It's time to pair them up. He can

talk the talk, but can he walk the walk, it's sport presenter Ore.

APPLAUSE He can walk the walk, look at that.

Thank you very much. Hi darling. Good to see you. You know a lot

about sports. Uh-huh. Do you know anything about dance, apart from the

way you walked beautifully? I've been observing for the last few

days, since we've been with the dancers, they just dance everywhere

right. I am planning on - this is how I'll make my way to the toilet.

Yeah, that. I like the way you move. It's working for me. What dance are

you looking forward to in particular? I love the jive. I

genuinely, well I did before I saw Jay and Aliona do it how it's

supposed to be. It's the flicks and the kicks, amazing. You're going to

be doing the kicks and flicks with... Are you ready for this? No.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE . I saw potential in those hips, did

you? Yeah. I've got some lateral movement. It's just happening. Look

at that. It's looking good, already. Off you go. It's Ore and Joanne!

OK. Two men are done. Two women, Karen and Katya. He can do a party

conference, but can he do a party dance - it's Ed Balls. Welcome. Good

to be here. Great to see you. I've got to ask the question: Are you

ready for four months of hard labour? Well...

LAUGHTER I expect the next few weeks will be

really, really hard, but then erm...... I do know what it's like

to be on the wrong end of the public vote. Have you got any idea what

you've let yourself in for? No. Oh, dear. Though a bit more over the

last few days. We'll have to see how it goes. Well, you'll be facing the

public vote with one of these lovely ladies. It is... It's Katya.

CHEERING AND APPLAUSE Do we approve? We do. We are good

together, with eknow already. His name says it all. Ed glitter balls.

We've got it. It could be an omen. Yeah, OK. We'll go with that. Looks

like a good coalition. It is Ed and Katya! Off you go.

APPLAUSE And finally, please welcome Will

Young! APPLAUSE I'm going to put you on the spot

now, any idea who you might be pardoned with? I think it's Bruno

but I'm not sure. Let's bring together our final couple, it is

Karen! APPLAUSE Goodness me! Release him! Can I say

I'm so happy? Are you? You both look so happy. She's a bit clingy --

she's a bit clingy but I think we can work on it. I think you'd better

leave right now! I'll carry you up the stairs. Claudia, that is the

full set. APPLAUSE

Less scary once you get a partner, right? You're not all alone and you

have got Karen! I let out this long breath. Ed, what do your children

thing? Do they say, go, dad or stop it? They have not seen the glitter

and our big finish and after that, it could be totally embarrassing. If

you are watching, turn off, do something else, turnaround, daddy is

about to do something really quite weird. Katya, welcome to the show

and he is edible, just so you know... Not that kind of edible, but

that's all right. You were absolutely terrified, shaking every

time you heard a saxophone, you would fall on the floor. But now you

have a partner, how is the Group Dance looking? Guys, we are going to

smash this! CHEERING AND APPLAUSE You two are perfect. Ladies and

gentlemen, big news, the class of 2016 is complete! CHEERING AND

APPLAUSE All right, enough, enough! I think

that is enough fun. Start limbering up, the moment is a mostly. Very

shortly, our celebrities will take to the dance floor for their first

Group Dance. Let the games begin! Test?

Indeed, thanks. Let's see what the judges make of the pairings. It is

so exciting because we have no idea how they are going to be but I just

have a feeling that we are going to see some fantastic dancing and some

great entertainment. I can't wait! Thank you, Len. Darcey, they have

three weeks to get dance ready before returning to the studio to

perform live. What can they expect? They are going to feel muscles they

have never felt before, possibly! It is all about pacing themselves but

as long as they have a lot of fun, I think, I bet they can't wait to get

that first one picked off. Great, almost time for the Group Dance.

What can you say to settle the nerves? Please be kind. The thing is

to dance like no one is watching. You just have to enjoy it, is my

point. I wish them all very well tonight. APPLAUSE

Lets hope they do enjoy it. I know we will.

We've been looking forward to it, our celebrities have been trying get

But the contracts have been signed, the ink is dry,

And this is the big one - can they shake a tail feather?

After only two days of training, my guess is "maybe".

Remember, when they rehearsed this, they genuinely had no idea

Please welcome your official Class of Strictly 2016.

They've met their partners, we've seen their potential and now

the hard work really begins, as they head to the training room

to prepare for the first live show in just three weeks' time!

Yes, they have only three weeks to master their first routine before

returning to perform in this very ballroom, live in

If you can't wait that long - go to our website

bbc.co.uk/strictly for fake tan updates and all the gossip

Our first live shows are Friday the 23rd and Saturday the 24th

I'm so happy I'm paired with Aljaz, this is what I'd always wanted. You

don't like to say you'd really like but it was Kevin Sorrell I made up.

I've got Gorka and I'm calling him a Caulker. Carol Kirkwood gave me lots

of advice about this man, all good. The two newest ones. -- youngest

ones. I've got my work cut out in a good way. She's got a lot to teach

me but I'm for learning. I'm actually quite emotional. I love

her. So excited. Get off me! Please try to do an Irish accent. Hopefully

it gets better than that. I'm excited to start it all now.