Strictly Come Dancing 2018 stars show off their moves as they dance down the red carpet at glitzy launch

Fifteen celebs are gearing up to dance their way to victory on the BBC ballroom spectacular
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Emma Powell28 August 2018

Strictly Come Dancing is officially back!

The 2018 series of the BBC ballroom show kicked off with a red carpet launch to welcome 15 new famous faces training hard to try their hand at winning the coveted glitterball trophy.

Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman danced their way down the runway to huge cheers at broadcasting house on Monday night.

Winkleman opted for a black trouser suit while Daly honoured the glitz of Strictly in a silver sequin dress.

They were followed closely behind by the judges: Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.

Hosts with the most: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly take to the stage (PA Wire/PA Images)
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Fans were given a taster of the talent to expect when the show returns to TV later this year with the celeb recruits showing off their best moves on the red carpet.

The hopefuls were paired up, with YouTube star Joe Sugg and Katie Piper walking hand in hand while actor Danny John-Jules took Paralympian Laura Steadman for a spin.

Going for a spin: Laura Steadman and Danny John Jules (PA Wire/PA Images)
PA

BBC newsreader Kate Silverton and comedian Seann Walsh did the macarena as they walked out to cheering fans, with singer Faye Tozer taking Casualty star Charles Venn through the steps.

Stacey Dooley was all smiles as she bounded down the runway with former Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts and TV doctor Ranj Singh.

Reuinted: Husband and wife duo Karen and Kevin Clifton (PA Wire/PA Images)
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They were joined by the professional dancers including Oti Mabuse, Gorka Marquez, Janette Manrara and Kevin and Karen Clifton who were reunited for the launch.

The estranged husband and wife duo walked out hand in hand hours after it was reported Kevin has dropped Karen from their tour.

“They tried hard to keep dancing together but it simply didn’t work,” a source told the Mail On Sunday.

“So Kevin took the decision to go off touring on his own.”

This year’s contestants were all unveiled earlier this month after their identities were kept under wraps using cheesy pseudonyms. They will be paired up with the professionals when the show kicks off next month.

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