Strictly Come Dancing is back for a third series on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE from Saturday 15 October at 6.30pm
Introduction
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It is time to dust off the ball gowns and slap on the fake tan… Strictly Come Dancing is coming back to our screens!
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The glitz and glamour will return to ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE, while It Takes Two will reveal all the backstage gossip on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TWO.
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With a further two couples than the previous series, the 12 celebrities who have dared pair up with some of the world's leading professional dancers are officially revealed today (in alphabetical order) as:
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Zoe Ball (TV presenter)
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Darren Gough (cricketer)
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Siobhan Hayes (actress)
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Gloria Hunniford (TV presenter)
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Colin Jackson (athlete)
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Jaye Jacobs (actress)
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James Martin (chef)
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Patsy Palmer (actress)
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Fiona Philips (TV Presenter)
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Dennis Taylor (snooker legend)
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Will Thorp (actor)
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Bill Turnbull (TV presenter)
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The show is again presented by Bruce Forsyth and co-hosted by Tess Daly.
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Bruce Forsyth says: "I can't wait for the new series to start - even my feet are getting anxious."
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Tess Daly says: "I can't wait to get stuck into the new series. It's so much fun working with Brucie. We've got new dancers as well as the old favourites, and this time round the line-up promises fireworks."
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Each celebrity is given a professional dance partner to put them through their paces during daily rehearsals, ensuring that they're in the best possible shape for the live Saturday night performance on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE.
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Three new dances have been added to the challenge this series, these being the Jitterbug, The Argentine Tango and Salsa.
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Each week – including the very first show - the couples will face a public and studio vote, with the lowest-scoring team being knocked out.
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The notorious panel of judges - Bruno Tonioli, Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood and Arlene Phillips – are back to cast their experienced eyes over the new set of eager debutants.
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Phone lines will be open for viewers to vote for who they believe has put in the best performance. The result is taken from the average of these scores, with all profits going towards ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ Children in Need.
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In addition to the Saturday night show on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ ONE, Claudia Winkelman presents Strictly Come Dancing – It Takes Two, a daily behind-the-scenes show on ³ÉÈË¿ìÊÖ TWO.
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The programme includes exclusive footage from the rehearsals and updates on training, as well as interviews with all the contestants.
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Claudia says: "I can't wait to be part of Strictly Come Dancing again. Just the thought of Anton doing a samba and Craig Revel Horwood's comments about our new celebrities' efforts fills me with joy."
CG