Stars hit the dance floor
The new Strictly celebrities have begun arriving for rehearsals in preparation for the upcoming season, following the exclusive revelation of this year's full line-up by The Celeb Report.
Among those spotted outside the London dance studios were Deaf Love Islander Tasha Ghouri, 25, and Miranda sitcom star Sarah Hadland, 53, both beaming with excitement for the TV dance contest.
Famous faces in the mix
Joining the line-up were blind comedian Chris McCausland, 47, and former X Factor winner and Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward, 39, who greeted the cameras with a peace sign.
The BBC also announced the participation of EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, 30, and triple Olympic gold swimmer Tom Dean, 24, adding to the star-studded cast.
Controversy and competition
Amid recent controversies surrounding the treatment of contestants on the show, the BBC is yet to release the findings of an investigation prompted by allegations against Giovanni Pernice by former participant Amanda Abbington.
This season boasts a fierce competition with only six female contestants, two of whom come with extensive dance backgrounds, raising the stakes for this year's show.
Defending dance experience
Tasha Ghouri faced questions about her dance background after confirming her participation, having previously competed in major dance events and dated ex-pro dancer Giovanni Pernice.
Sarah Hadland's friend, Doctor Who's Alex Kingston, jokingly expressed concern about competing against Sarah, a trained ballet dancer, on the show, adding a touch of friendly rivalry to the mix.
As the new season of Strictly Come Dancing gears up, fans can look forward to seeing these familiar faces light up the dance floor with their moves and personalities.
