Overview

• The show unveiled all 15 couples, including Lewis Cope with Katya Jones, Dani Dyer with Nikita Kuzmin, Alex Kingston with Johannes Radebe, Ellie Goldstein with Vito Coppola, and Thomas Skinner with Amy Dowden.
• Viewers quickly tagged Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope as a frontrunner after he highlighted years of dance training and a Billy Elliot role, prompting familiar ‘fix’ grumbles on social media.
• Professional Dianne Buswell, who is pregnant, returned to compete with Stefan Dennis and has said her doctor cleared her to continue lifts with extra caution.
• Thomas Skinner’s participation drew added attention following his admission of an affair and a reported walkout at a press event, with the BBC reiterating expectations on behaviour.
• New professionals Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon made their debuts, Jessie J performed as musical guest, and reigning champion Chris McCausland reunited with Buswell for a waltz reprise.