Strictly 2024 announces week one songs and dance routines
Strictly season is well and truly under way, with the launch show done and the live episodes ready to get started this weekend.
It's been a rocky lead-up to this year's series of BBC One's flagship show with an investigation into the alleged training room behaviour of two of the former pro cast, but now that the 2024 contest has started show bosses will be hoping headlines will switch to the glittering routines in store.
As the 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing begins, a packed schedule of routines has been announced for the first show including an unconventional Paso Doble, and a return to ballroom for one much-loved series pro.
Much of the Strictly chat this week has been about the introduction of chaperones to rehearsals, but fans have also been given details of next year's live tour, and reigning pro champion Vito Coppola has been trying his luck in the Celebrity MasterChef kitchen.
These were the week's biggest Strictly stories both on and off the dancefloor.
💃 Strictly 2024's first routine reveal
The excitement is building ahead of the first live episode, and now we've got all the details on who will be dancing what in their dancefloor debut.
It's a varied line-up covering a good mix of ballroom and Latin, with favourite JB Gill and his partner, returning pro Amy Dowden set for what could be an emotional Waltz to Leo Sayer's When I Need You. Meanwhile, EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas will be taking on the Viennese Waltz.
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystal will begin their Strictly campaign with an unconventional Paso Doble to The Prodigy's Breathe, while Wynne Evans and Katya Jones start with a Tom Jones-themed Samba. Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu have also gone for a Samba for their first dance.
The Cha Cha is a popular choice - Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez, and Tasha Ghouri and Aljaz Skorjanec have all gone for it for show one. Meanwhile, Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe, and Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin are both dancing Foxtrots.
Both Tom Dean and Nadiya Bychkova, and Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones will begin with a Tango, while other routines include Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk trying a Jive, Paul Merson and Karen Hauer debuting an American Smooth, and Sarah Hadland joining her reigning champion partner Vito Coppola in a Dolly Parton-inspired Quickstep.
We can't wait to see who surprises us on Saturday night.
Read more from PA: From Cha Cha to the Tango: Strictly Come Dancing couples’ first dances revealed👯♂️ Chaperones mark a new era for Strictly
Whether you're a Strictly superfan or only occasionally tune in, you can't fail to have missed the controversy that has kicked off over the past year.
Amanda Abbington quit the 2023 series early amid allegations over partner Giovanni Pernice's behaviour in training, with a BBC investigation into the claims ongoing. Pernice has denied the accusations. The investigation also brought up concerns from Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima's rehearsals, although Di Prima has insisted "I'm not a monster".
In a bid to avoid further complaints, chaperones are now joining each couple for training to keep an eye on things and Nick Knowles told Lorraine this week that he felt he had been offered "all the psychological support" he needed, as well as having plenty of other positive things to say about his experience so far.
Read more at BANG Showbiz: Nick Knowles reveals staggering Strictly Come Dancing weight loss
🎟️ See Strictly live in 2025
The class of 2024 haven't even performed their first routines yet, but fans can already snap up tickets for next year's live tour.
Dates across the UK from January 2025 have been announced and went on sale on Friday, 20 September with judge Motsi Mabuse confirmed to join the tour.
Get in early to secure your tickets and watch the future winners of this year's series take their show on the road, a real treat for fans unable to get to a live episode recording in London.
Read more at PA Media: Motsi Mabuse to join judging panel for Strictly Come Dancing tour
👨🍳 Vito Coppola reveals culinary skills in Celebrity MasterChef final
He's already the reigning champion of the ballroom, and now Vito Coppola is hoping to lift another BBC trophy - Celebrity MasterChef 2024.
The dancer has reached the final three of the contest alongside Rochenda Sandall and Craig Doyle, impressing judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace with dishes inspired by his Italian upbringing.
Whether or not Coppola manages to triumph in the kitchen tonight, one thing's for sure - his dance partner Sarah Hadland can expect some tasty treats in their training breaks.
Read more at Digital Spy: Celebrity MasterChef 2024 confirms finalists
Strictly Come Dancing continues on BBC One at 7pm on Saturday.
This article originally appeared on Yahoo TV UK at https://uk.news.yahoo.com/strictly-come-dancing-routines-biggest-stories-week-1-112847164.html
