Tess Daly got viewers talking as Strictly Come Dancing burst back onto our screens. The dancing favourite made a rare Friday night appearance as the 20th series launched on September 23. Following the death of the Queen, the launch date was postponed a week until after the monarch's state funeral.
This year's crop of 15 famous faces taking to the dance floor includes Fleur East, TV presenter Helen Skelton, EastEnders actor James Bye and former England footballer Tony Adams. Also in the line-up is Ted Lasso actress Ellie Taylor, Paralympic swimming gold medallist Ellie Simmonds, Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps actor Will Mellor, Loose Women star Kaye Adams and Coronation Street actress Kym Marsh.
They are joined by Bros singer Matt Goss, Kiss radio host Tyler West, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford, comedian and actress Jayde Adams, Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin and BBC Radio 2’s Richie Anderson.
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The 20th series of Strictly got off to a beautiful start when the show opened with a stunning ballroom performance from the fabulous professional dancers to the Nina Simon track, Feeling Good. And once the dancers head excitedly made their way out of the ballroom, it was time for Tess and co-host Claudia Winkleman to make their big entrance.
Tess started by thanking the professional dancers, the choreographers for the opening of the show and of course it wouldn't be a show without Dave Arch and his orchestra!
Claudia then welcomed back the audience to the show, saying: "It is so lovely to be back and for the first time in two years we have a full studio audience…" which earned cheers and applause. "Thank you so much for being here," she added.
The pair then teased what viewers could expect from the launch show before they welcomed judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas all back onto the panel.
But before the pairings for this year's Strictly were revealed, all eyes were on the hosts and Tess in particular caught viewers' attention. The 53-year-old star looked spectacular in her outfit which featured the dazzling, off-the-shoulder gold top with one huge baloon sleeve that then draped her shoulder
She paired the statement top with a pair of flared white trousers which matched Claudia, 50, who opted for a plunging white dotted blazer with matching trousers and her dark locks with trademark fringe were also back.
And viewers clocked to social media to comment on Tess' disco-inspired choice and also remembered her looks from previous series. @HelloItsLevi tweeted: "Tess’s top is giving bust of queen Victoria #Strictly." @joeboxie wrote: "I see there wasn’t enough white fabric to make Tess a top #Strictly."
@houdsmum commented: "Hands up who dressed Tess in bacofoil? #Strictly." @uisgebeatha joked: "What in the tinfoil is Tess #Strictly #scd."
Tess also decided to give her 802k followers a sneaky peek at her eye-catching outfit just minutes before she appeared on their screens. "Ready, set, LAUNCH! The first @BBCStrictly of the season is here!" she captioned the backstage snap. And her followers were rushing to comment.
@loutizard said: "You look absolutely lovely as always." @melliewoo commented: "Looking gorgeous." @holly182022 replied: "Stunning! Can't wait!!" @coralteresa89 added: "You look fab girllllll."
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