Inside Strictly week one – Couples announced, latest odds and absent dancers
The 21st series of Strictly Come Dancing has kicked off after a dazzling launch show, with a host of new celebrity faces taking to the ballroom floor in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
All 15 contestants have been paired up with their professional partners, with one or two Strictly favourites missing out on securing a spot on this year’s series.
We’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the upcoming series, such as who has been snubbed and which celebrity is already being predicted to win after the first round.
Who has been snubbed in this year’s series?
One notable absentee who has missed out on a celeb partner is Ukranian dancer Nadiya Bychkova.
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She was partnered with Matt Goss last year and is currently in a relationship with fellow professional Kai Widdrington. She said on Instagram that she was “disappointed” but will be “supporting her fellow pros”.
Another dancer who was left out of this year’s series is Neil Jones.
Despite having joined Strictly seven years ago, the 41-year old has only ever been partnered with a celebrity twice. Both Neil and Nadiya will be part of the larger group dances during the series.
Which dancers are not competing this year?
One fan favourite who will not be on our screens this year is Amy Dowden.
The Welsh dancer made the tragic announcement that she had been diagnosed with aggressive stage three breast cancer in May and would not be competing.
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Amy has kept her followers updated with regular posts, with her most recent Instagram story revealing that she was “extremely sick” and “very tired” despite taking three types of anti-sickness medication.
She was paired with soap star James Bye in the 2022 series.
Who is predicted to win the series?
After the glittering show launch, fans have already anticipated that actor Nigel Harman is the one to win the series.
The former EastEnders star has been partnered with Katya Jones and already fans have predicted that they will lift the Glitterball Trophy.
One person said on Twitter: “Nigel and Katya my winners Idc #Strictly.” Another shared: “Nigel and Katya – early winner?”
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday at 6.35pm on BBC One.
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