'Strictly Come Dancing' Launch Show Sees Celebrity And Professional Dance Partners Revealed (PICTURES)

'Strictly' Returns!
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Strictly Come Dancing
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'Strictly Come Dancing' returned to screens on Saturday night with a special launch show, where the new fifteen celebrities found out who their professional partners are.

Hosts Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly were on hand to reveal to which lucky pro dancers had bagged early favourites Abbey Clancy and Natalie Gumede, and who received the misfortune of partnering the Ann Widdecomes-to-be, Vanessa Feltz and Mark Benton.

A full list of celebrities and their professional partners appears below...

  • Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev
  • Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Skorjanec
  • Ashley Taylor-Dawson and Ola Jordan
  • Vanessa Feltz and James Jordan
  • Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff
  • Sophie Ellis Bextor and Brendan Cole
  • Deborah Meaden and Robin Windsor
  • Susanna Reid and Kevin Clifton
  • Julien Macdonald and Janette Manrara
  • Natalie Gumede and Artem Chigvintsev
  • Fiona Fullerton and Anton Du Beke
  • Mark Benton and Iveta Lukosiute
  • Patrick Robinson and Anya Garnis
  • Tony Jacklin and Aliona Vilani
  • Dave Myers and Karen Hauer

The couples will now have three weeks to train before the live shows return at the end of the month, and the real competition starts.

Strictly Come Dancing launch show
Strictly Come Dancing launch show(01 of25)
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Strictly Come Dancing launch show(06 of25)
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Strictly Come Dancing launch show(07 of25)
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Strictly Come Dancing launch show(09 of25)
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Saturday's launch show also saw the introduction of five new professional dancers - Iveta Lukosiute, who stepped in to replace an injured Aliona Vilani last year, stars of 'Burn The Floor' and real-life couple Aljaž Skorjanec and Janette Manrara, fiance of current pro Karen Hauer, Kevin Clifton, and Ayna Garnis, who competes professionally with Pasha Kovalev.

Elsewhere, musical performances came from Jessie J and Rod Stewart, while reigning 'Strictly' champ Louis Smith also made a return with partner Flavia Cacace to show this year's contestants what they should be aiming for, with a performance of their famous charleston routine.

'Strictly Come Dancing' returns on Friday 27 and Saturday 28 September.

Strictly Come Dancing line up
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(01 of16)
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Abbey ClancyAge: 27Best know for: Modelling and being married to England footballer Peter Crouch. She also presents fashion segments on 'This Morning'. Odds: 5/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(02 of16)
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Rachel RileyAge: 27Best known for: Taking over from Carol Vorderman as the letters and numbers whizz on 'Countdown'. Odds: 4/1 (credit:BBC)
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Sophie Ellis-BextorAge: 34Best known for: Being a singer, with hits such as 'Murder On The Dance Floor' and 'If This Ain't Love'. She's also the daughter of former 'Blue Peter' presenter Janet Ellis. Odds: 6/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(04 of16)
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Vanessa FeltzAge: 51Best known for: Her 90s chat show 'Vanessa'. She now presents her own radio show on BBC London and Radio 2, and famously had a meltdown on 'Celebrity Big Brother' in 2001. Odds: 50/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(05 of16)
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Deborah MeadenAge: 54Best known for: Being a Dragon on BBC Two business show 'Dragons' Den'. Odds: 40/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(06 of16)
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Susanna ReidAge: 42Best known for: Presenting 'BBC Breakfast' with Bill Turnbull. She also appeared on a 'Children In Need' special of the show with fellow newsreaders in 2012. Odds: 8/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(07 of16)
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Natalie GumedeAge: 29Best known for: Playing husband beater Kirsty Soames on 'Coronation Street'. Odds: 6/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(08 of16)
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Fiona FullertonAge: 56Best known for: Her roles as Bond girl Pola Ivanova in 1985's 'A View to a Kill' and as Alice in 1972 film 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland'.Odds: 20/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(09 of16)
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Ashley Taylor DawsonAge: 31Best known for: His role as Darren Osborne in Channel 4 soap 'Hollyoaks'. He also used to be in pop band allSTARS*.Odds: 10/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(10 of16)
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Ben CohenAge: 34Best known for: Being a rugby union player, and being a gay icon after establishing The Ben Cohen StandUp Foundation to combat homophobia and bullying.Odds: 6/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(11 of16)
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Patrick RobinsonAge: 49Best known for: Playing Martin "Ash" Ashford on 'Casualty'.Odds: 20/1 (credit:BBC)
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Julien MacdonaldAge: 42Best known for: Being a fashion designer, as well as having a famous spat with Cheryl Cole in 2011. Odds: 16/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(13 of16)
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Mark BentonAge: 47Best known for: Starring in 'Waterloo Road' as maths teacher Daniel 'Chalky' Chalk.Odds: 40/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(14 of16)
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Dave MyersAge: 56Best known for: Being one half of TV chef duo The Hairy Bikers. Odds: 50/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(15 of16)
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Tony JacklinAge: 69Best known for: Being an English pro golfer.Odds: 50/1 (credit:BBC)
Strictly Come Dancing line up 2013(16 of16)
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