Strictly Come Dancing star has 'potential' while 'wildcard' may struggle and 'connection' spotted

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Fifteen new couples are set to make their official dancing debut in the ballroom this Saturday night (September 23) as the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 competition officially begins.

The much-loved BBC One dance contest actually returned last weekend with its pre-recorded launch show. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman were seen back in the ballrom to help steer the Strictly ship for another year while judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke were sat back behind the judges' desk as they had a first-look over the celebrities and their professional dancers.

The first episode saw fans find out which of the 15 new celebrities had been partnered with which professional dancer before they all took to the floor for a flamboyant group number to a medley of energetic tracks, marking their first bit of dancing in front of millions watching at home. READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing fans ask 'who decides' as they make same observation over week one dance and song reveal READ MORE: Read more Strictly Come Dancing stories here But the fight for the Glitterball trophy actually begins tonight as they perform in their couples for the first time, with the Cha Cha Cha dominating the choice of dance for week one with tracks coming from Little Mix, Jonas Brothers, Nirvana, Billy Joel and Whitney Houston.

However, following their first appearance on-screens, body language expert Darren Stanton reveals which partnerships are already showing a "great connection" and which celebrities will be the most competitive in this series.