Strictly Come Dancing 2016 launched and finally revealed who this year’s 15 celebrities will be dancing with, which made EastEnders star Tameka Empson a little giddy
EastEnders star Tameka Empson stole the show when Strictly Come Dancing opened its 14th series, not with her slick, sharp moves but with her slick, sharp humour… She made quite an entrance in the arms of new pro dancer Gorka Marquez.
Then Tameka tried a few spins and got so dizzy she had to hold on to co-presenter Tess Daly. But she showed she has some moves, too…
“I’m adoring Tameka. I love her. And I think Gorka is going to be fantastic with her,” said the notoriously difficult judge Craig Revel Horwood – and he was smiling when he said it, not scowling.
“Strictly has always been a favourite of mine,” says Tameka. “So when the opportunity knocked I answered the door and said, ‘Welcome, come on in! I’ve been waiting for you’.
“I wouldn’t mind a stern partner,” Tameka continued – and then she was introduced to Gorka.
“I like a strong man – he’ll do,” she said, giving his muscles a once-over with Tess’s help.
“I’m looking forward to doing the show dance in the final. There, I’ve said it,” Tameka added, with a cheeky smile.
Judges Craig, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli, presenters Tess and Claudia Winkleman and the pro dancers launched the new series from a space ship.
But they were all brought back down to Earth for the main business of the first show: pairing the celebrity contestants with their pro dancers.
This series’ pro dancers also strutted their stuff, to remind us what they’re made of…a lot of very watchable snappy movements, toe pointing, hip-wriggling, booty-shaking, floor-sliding, fake tan and glitter.
And to show this year’s contestants what winners look like, last year’s Strictly champions, Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani, returned to showcase their Jive.
For all the pictures of all the couples, click here
Strictly Come Dancing starts properly with back-to-back shows on BBC1 Friday, September 23 and Saturday, September 24.
