'Strictly Come Dancing' 2015: When Does It Start? Contestants, Professional Dancers, Judges - Everything You Need To Know About The New Series

Everything You Need To Know About 'Strictly' 2015
|

The nights are drawing in and you can almost hear the sound of costume designers furiously stitching sequins onto revealing dancewear, which can only mean one thing - ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ is back.

The BBC ballroom contest is returning for its 13th (!) series this weekend, but what exactly do we know about the new run? Well, let us get you up to speed…

'Strictly Come Dancing' 2015 LISTICLE
When does the new series start?(01 of08)
Open Image Modal
‘Strictly Come Dancing’ 2015 kicks off with a special launch show on 5 September on BBC One at 7.15pm, where the new batch of celebs will be paired up with their professional dancers. The couples will then have around three weeks to begin training, for the contest kicks off for real later in the month. (credit:BBC)
Which celebs are taking part?(02 of08)
Open Image Modal
After slowly but surely releasing the names of the celebs, we finally have our full line-up. The Class of 2015 are made up of popstar and reality TV regular Peter Andre, former ‘Coronation Street’ star Georgia May Foote, ‘EastEnders’ actress Kellie Bright, singer Daniel O’Donnell, ‘BBC Breakfast’ weather presenter Carol Kirkwood, TV chef Ainsley Harriott, Radio 2 DJ Jeremy Vine, former newsreader Katie Derham, Olympian Anthony Ogogo, ex-The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness, Sky Sports presenter Kirsty Gallacher, athlete Iwan Thomas, 'Loose Woman' Jamelia, Watchdog's Anita Rani and 'Call The Midwife' star Helen George. (credit:BBC)
Who is hosting?(03 of08)
Open Image Modal
Despite fans calling for Zoe Ball to replace Tess Daly after she stood in for Claudia Winkleman last year, Tess and Claud are returning for their second series together, following Bruce Forsyth’s decision to stand down as host in 2014. (credit:BBC)
Who are the judges?(04 of08)
Open Image Modal
All four judges from the last few series will return, with Craig Revel Horwood, Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli making up the panel. Len also recently announced he had quit his role as Head Judge on the US version of the show to focus more on his role on ‘Strictly’. (credit:BBC )
Who will the professional dancers be?(05 of08)
Open Image Modal
Joanne Clifton, Kevin Clifton, Brendan Cole, Anton Du Beke, Karen Hauer, Ola Jordan, Pasha Kovalev, Natalie Lowe, Tristan MacManus, Janette Manrara, Kristina Rihanoff, Aljaž Škorjanec and Aliona Vilani, and they will be joined by newbies Otlile Mabuse, Giovanni Pernice and Gleb Savchenko. Iveta Lukosiute and Trent Whiddon have both left the show after the last series, and while Robin Windsor was due to return after having to take a break from the show following a back injury, he is still too unfit to take to the floor. (credit:PA)
Who will be the musical guests?(06 of08)
Open Image Modal
While bosses have been keeping tight lipped about who will perform later in the series, the launch show will see Jess Glynne and Gregory Porter belting out their latest hits. (credit:Getty)
Will ‘It Takes Two’ be back? (07 of08)
Open Image Modal
Yes! Zoe Ball will once again be fronting the popular spin-off show, which will air weekdays at 6.30pm on BBC Two once the competition kicks off properly. (credit:BBC)
Who is favourite to win?(08 of08)
Open Image Modal
While the contestants haven't even danced yet, bookies are still offering odds, with Peter Andre currently the favourite. (credit:Karwai Tang via Getty Images)
'Strictly Come Dancing' 2015
Jamelia(01 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Jeremy Vine(02 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Carol Kirkwood(03 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Peter Andre(04 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Kellie Bright(05 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Ainsley Harriott(06 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Kirsty Gallagher(07 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Anthony Ogogo(08 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Georgia May Foote(09 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Daniel O'Donnell(10 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Jay McGuinness(11 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Katie Derham(12 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Iwan Thomas(13 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Anita Rani(14 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Tess Daly(15 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman(16 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Claudia Winkleman(17 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC Pictures)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(18 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(19 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(20 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(21 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(22 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(23 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(24 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(25 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(26 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(27 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(28 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(29 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(30 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(31 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(32 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(33 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(34 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(35 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(36 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(37 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(38 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(39 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(40 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(41 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(42 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(43 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(44 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(45 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(46 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(47 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing 2015(48 of48)
Open Image Modal
(credit:BBC)