It's that time of year again! Strictly Come Dancing is back and we cannot contain ourselves for it all - the contestants, the music, the drumroll, and above all, the sequins! Tess Daly and Claudia Winkelman return as the dynamic duo we all love and we just adore seeing what everyone's favourite blonde and brunette besties will be wearing.
The new pictures for the show are pure dynamite. Claudia as always, is wearing her trademark white suit (no-one can pull off this style better than the mother-of-three) and blonde bombshell Tess is looking like Margot Robbie in the Barbie film, sporting a gold sequin pencil dress by Nadine Merabi - everyone's favourite occasion wear brand. Stunning!
Fans have been following mother-of-two Tess even more lately and on Wednesday evening, the wife of Vernon Kay shared some stunning snaps of herself ahead of the National Television Awards and the blonde beauty looked incredible.
Showing off her perfect legs in a black, jewel-encrusted corset dress by Rebecca Vallance, the 55-year-old looked sublime, and fans loved her new look, which included a megawatt, Hollywood smile. Dazzling!
One follower wrote: "This glam is everything!" Another quipped: "Great teeth!" and "How can Tess Daly be 55?" Other fans added: "Gorgeous and glamorous. As always." and "Wow, just wow!!!"
Tess, who has two daughters, Phoebe and Amber, has been with Strictly for two decades.
Speaking about her incredible run, the TV star said in a new interview with the BBC: "I have to pinch myself when I realise it’s been 20 years since starting work on this brilliant TV show I was lucky enough to be chosen to be a part of. None of us knew at the time if it would work, and none of us could’ve foreseen its stratospheric success. It genuinely feels like a privilege to be part of such a talented team who work tirelessly to produce a live show of this scale each week."
Speaking about the new series and what we can expect, the TV icon reveals: "The class of ‘24 look like a properly exciting gang. As a collective I genuinely cannot wait to see what they’ve got in store for us. Roll on the launch show!"
Claudia Winkleman's Pre-Show Jitters
Strictly Come Dancing presenter Claudia Winkleman has opened up about her pre-show jitters, confessing that she's "terrified" ahead of the first dance of the new season.
Claudia is gearing up to return to her presenting duties by the dancefloor, joining forces with Tess Daly once again, yet she's not immune to the adrenaline rush that Saturday's premiere brings.
As a fresh group of celebrities prepares to don their dancing shoes, stars such as ex-footballer Paul Merson and Love Island favourite Tasha Ghouri are set to strut their stuff. The series also breaks new ground with Chris McCausland, making his mark as Strictly's first blind contestant.
Despite her years of experience, Claudia shared a candid insight into her emotions as the legendary theme tune kicks in, saying: "I'm absolutely terrified and I squeeze Tess on the arm and I love her because she lets me."
In the latest instalment, famed faces will be twirling with dazzling pros such as Gorka Marquez and Diane Buswell through various themed weeks, including movie tributes, spooky Halloween specials, and big Broadway numbers, reports the Mirror.
Controversy Shadows Glitterball Glamour
However, the glamour of glitterball has been somewhat shrouded by ongoing concerns, with a recent spate of bullying allegations casting a shadow. With past participants, including Amanda Abbington and Zoe McDermott, raising complaints, show bosses have had to take a closer look at the claims linked to the conduct of certain pro-dancers.
Opening up about her grievances, Amanda shared: "I found Giovanni's behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn't sit back and let him do that to other people. I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show."
Giovani has strongly refuted the accusations and has moved on to participate in an Italian dance competition after his departure from the show.
Graziano Di Prima has voiced his remorse for his conduct towards his dance partner Zara, following leaked footage of inappropriate behaviour. With the announcement of his removal from Strictly imminent last summer, Graziano turned to Instagram to tell his followers: "While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away."
The BBC issued a statement outlining: "We can confirm that Graziano Di Prima is no longer a part of the line-up of professional dancers for the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. While we would never comment on individual cases, it is well-known that the BBC has established and robust duty of care procedures, and if issues are raised we will always take them seriously and act swiftly as appropriate."
Who Will Lift the Glitterball Trophy?
Claudia Winkleman has revealed that she has "no idea who's going to win" the 2024 series of Strictly Come Dancing. The popular BBC programme officially launches tonight, seeing the celebrity contestants paired with their professional dance partners.
Speaking about the start of the new Strictly Come Dancing series, Claudia Winkleman said: “It feels a total honour and privilege, I love working on Strictly so much.
“I start getting excited in July, the fake tanning starts in earnest on September 1 and there’s no let-up until Christmas.
“I genuinely have no idea who’s going to win, Tess says the name and I find out with everyone else, it’s a magic moment.”
Co-host Tess Daly, who has presented the BBC show since it began all the way back in 2004, added that she can sometimes spot who will win as early as the launch show.
She said: “I do think it takes a certain special something and not just talent alone, to capture the viewers’ imagination and go on to become the winner of a series.
“Not only have you got to have learned the necessary dance skills to showcase your talent but you also need to have won our hearts.
“Sometimes I feel like perhaps I can spot the winner as early as the launch show as it’s clear to see they have the full package.
“However, more often than not, I’m surprised along with everybody else.”
Speaking about her long tenure on the show, Daly added: “It’s such an honour to have been there since the very first show aired back in 2004 and now here we are about to celebrate our 20th birthday.
“My overriding memories of that first show are of being very nervous and very pregnant.
“But even then, there was a buzz in the air, like no other I’d ever experienced on a live television show. It felt so exciting, and it still does.”
With a new cast of celebrities and a fresh season, the question on everyone's lips is: Who will be the champion this year?
