Strictly Come Dancing 2018 is back – and with a whole new class of celebrities and some eye-catching new pro dancers, there’s plenty to talk about.
Saturday night’s pre-recorded launch show saw the celebrities dancing in the Strictly ballroom for the very first time.
Viewers also found out those all-important couples, as the celebrities discovered who they would be dancing with this year.
Check out some of the best reactions from the night below.
Vick Hope nabs new hottie Graziano
With Brendan Cole leaving the show, Strictly needed a new pro to plug the gap. But who could it be? Say hello to Graziano di Prima…
And the nation has a collective hot flush… #Strictly pic.twitter.com/BgrXaH3fJb
— BBC Strictly✨ (@bbcstrictly) September 8, 2018
Quite the entrance, don’t you think?
When Graziano walked onto the floor #Strictly pic.twitter.com/Zf0CngpFjV
— TV Geek Online 📺 (@TVGeekOnline) September 8, 2018
Viewers had a lot of thoughts about Graziano, not all of them appropriate for a family show. But in the main, people seemed to be getting serious Game of Thrones vibes off the new recruit.
People were seeing Graziano, I was seeing Jon Snow, dancing, but omg he is so hot #Strictly pic.twitter.com/RE91VzICsw
— Sarah Dalton (@S_L_Dalton) September 8, 2018
But which lucky celebrity would be partnered up with Graziano? That would be radio presenter Vick Hope.
And lucky lucky Vick!! #Strictly
— 🦄Jewels 🐝💙 (@JuetheBlue) September 8, 2018
Almost immediately viewers were touting them as potential favourites, and it’s not hard to see why.
I’ve been literally wanting to say this since I found out they were paired together but VICK AND GRAZIANO YESSS 🔥😍 I’m 100% rooting for them! #Strictly
— Lauren (@TwirlyShirleyx) September 8, 2018
If nothing else, their Halloween theme is surely a given now right?
I’m sorry but if Vick and Graziano don’t do a Game of Thrones themed dance at Halloween I might riot #Strictly
— ⚜️Freya⚜️ (@FangirlFreddo) September 8, 2018
Yet another predictable partner for Anton du Beke
Cast your eye down the Strictly celebrity list for this year. Now put money on who you think Anton will get.
What do you reckon? Susannah paired with Anton? #Strictly
— Tracey (@TraceyCoutts) September 8, 2018
Bet Anton gets the oldest of the ladies as per usual #Strictly!!
— hazel tetley (@hazypets) September 8, 2018
Congratulations, you bet correct!
Yes, Anton and Susannah Constantine are now officially a couple – but the group dance didn’t exactly fill Anton fans with confidence.
Susannah: I can't tell left from right.
Anton: Yup, that's my partner #strictly— Marianka Swain (@mkmswain) September 8, 2018
Well that group dance wasn’t half bad but … poor Anton😂😂 #StrictlyComeDancing2018 #StrictlyComeDancing #strictly #strictly2018 #SCD
— Gillian Hudson (@JillHudson21) September 8, 2018
Hey, let’s keep our hopes up – maybe we’re in for a surprise?
Reigning champ Katya is back to the comedy routines
Last year Katya Jones secured the Strictly Glitterball with Joe McFadden, but this year she may have to take a little more inspiration from her previous year coaching Ed Balls.
She was partnered up with comedian Seann Walsh, and viewers were intrigued to see her choreography skills put to the test once again.
Katya is such a great choreographer. I hope Sean is good enough for her quite frankly #Strictly
— Gwinnie (@gwinniejones) September 8, 2018
Katya is the comedian specialist now due to the Ed Balls experience #strictly
— Catherine Chisnall (@catherinechisna) September 8, 2018
The early signs however are that they will could be firm favourites among the Strictly voters, so maybe this journey has a way to go yet…
Seann and Katya are going to be hilarious 😂😂 #Strictly
— katie (@Kaaaaatie_x) September 8, 2018
Susan Calman gives Stacey and Kevin her blessing
Documentary presenter Stacey Dooley and pro favourite Kevin Clifton were very, very excited to be partnered up together. Hyper doesn’t quite cover it.
Kevin and Stacey are like two Duracell bunnies pumped up with E numbers. Dancing gonna be like… #strictly pic.twitter.com/sfcCFmLIFh
— Behind Blue Eyes 🧞♀️🦄🍭 (@littlemisslisad) September 8, 2018
But even though some viewers felt they could do with toning it down a bit, frankly only one person’s opinion matters when it comes to Kevin’s future partner. That person is Susan Calman.
If you love them, set them free.
Tonight my dance boyfriend @keviclifton will be paired with his new partner on @bbcstrictly. I'll be watching, supporting and cheering them loudly every step of the way. Can't wait to see who it is. Team Clifton to win!
— Susan Calman (@SusanCalman) September 8, 2018
Last year’s pair were so close that Susan even had a tattoo ‘I heart Grimsby’ made after her Strictly journey took her all the way to Blackpool, so whoever was coupled with with Kevin this year had a lot to live up to.
On Strictly, I promised the audience I’d get a specific tattoo if me and @keviclifton got to Blackpool.
1. I always keep my promises
2. I added a sun for Bring Me Sunshine
3. It’s full of joy and a reminder of what I can achieve if I dance outside my comfort zone. I love it! pic.twitter.com/dHw4Tz174k— Susan Calman (@SusanCalman) May 28, 2018
Luckily, Susan gave Stacey her blessing. Now, what does the future hold for Strictly’s new power couple?
Well @StaceyDooley I couldn’t be happier. You’ve got the best dancer and the most amazing man I know. Oh and I think you’re utterly fabulous. Enjoy every minute with @keviclifton. Hurrah!!!!
— Susan Calman (@SusanCalman) September 8, 2018
‘Pashley’ looks a winner already – but is Ashley Roberts too good to be true?
Arguably one of the strongest partnerships of the night, Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev are certainly ones to watch when the dancing begins in earnest.
Ashley and Pasha are gonna win can tell already #youvehearditherefirst #strictly
— lotte (@lotteyates_) September 8, 2018
They’ve even got a couple name that works straight out of the box.
Can we call Ashley and Pasha Pashley from now on, btw? #Strictly
— Paige 🍑 (@RedheadRasslin) September 8, 2018
However, among all the glitter and the lip gloss, there is the annual Strictly shadow: is Ashley too good a dancer already?
The Pussycat Dolls star had plenty of dancing experience thanks to her years in the girl band, and even went on to judge ITV’s Dancing on Ice.
Will viewers turn against her because of her dance history?
Excuse me for pointing out the elephant in the room, but I thought #Strictly was about learning to dance.
Isn’t Ashley Roberts a trained dancer already? 🤨🤔
— Jess // The Crown Wings (@thecrownwings) September 8, 2018
She has frequently explained that the style of ballroom in particular is something she’s wholly unfamiliar with, and that she like others will have to learn “a skill and a new style that I have never done before”, so it’s not quite as easy as saying she’s a certainty for the final.
People who say it's not fair because Ashley is already a dancer , but its a different type of dancing , never have i seen pussycat dolls do a paso doble during a music video 😂#Strictly
— evann griffiths (@evann_lfc) September 8, 2018
With Pasha putting her through her paces, however, she definitely has a chance to go all the way.
Strictly now takes a two-week break to give the celebrities a chance to train with their pro dancer partners, with the first live show scheduled for Saturday 22nd September.
Who else from the launch show caught your eye? Let us know on Twitter and Facebook, and keep checking RadioTimes.com for updates from training and the latest Strictly news.
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