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The Professional Dancers – The Women

Erin Boag (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Ricky Groves)

Kiwi Erin is a strong and vivacious competitor and has reached the final twice in past series with partners Julian Clary and Colin Jackson. Erin specialises in ballroom dancing and her professional partner is fellow Strictly professional Anton Du Beke. They have been dancing together since 1997, turning professional in 2002.

Erin is looking to have a great time this year with someone who will give 100% commitment: "I can work with most people – if they are willing to learn and have good concentration then I am happy."

Flavia Cacace (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Craig Kelly)

Italian-born Flavia took to dancing extremely quickly, finding her first dancing partner at the age of 12. She has been with her current professional partner Vincent Simone, also from Strictly Come Dancing, for the past 13 years. Turning professional in 2001, they have an impressive list of titles between them both on an amateur and professional level.

As a previous finalist with Matt Di Angelo in series five, Flavia is a true competitor and fan of the show: "I am so happy to be a part of such an amazing show; the audience is the most important thing for me – it's thanks to all of them that we do what we do."

Ola Jordan (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Chris Hollins)

Polish-born Ola began dancing relatively late in life when she was 12. She went on to win the Open Polish Championship in 1999, aged 17, and then went to the World Championships where she was placed in the top 12. Her professional partner, and husband, is James Jordan, himself a Strictly professional dancer.

Competing against James in the show, Ola assures us: "There is a bit of competition between us, of course, but we both want each other to do the best we can. But I do want to win!"

Lilia Kopylova (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Richard Dunwoody)

Lilia is gentle and softly spoken but, below the surface, lies a cheeky Russian minx. Born in Moscow, Lilia moved to Denmark and then settled in London in her teens. Her speciality is Latin American together with her partner and husband Darren Bennett, who also appears in Strictly Come Dancing. She won the third series with cricketer Darren Gough, and last year partnered Don Warrington.

Having left the show in week five for the past two series Lilia is hoping to do better this time round: "This year I'm ready to go!"

Natalie Lowe (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Ricky Whittle)

New dancer, Australian-born Natalie was encouraged by her neighbours to start ballroom dancing at three years old and five years later she was representing her country. Keeping it a family affair, Natalie later decided she wanted to dance with her brother, Glenn, even though he was five years older than her. As a consequence she missed out most of her junior years to dance with him and went straight to the adult category. In her time competing, Natalie has swept every prestigious award available to her, maintaining her title of the Australian Professional New Vogue Champion, 2005 to 2009.

Having appeared in five series of the Australian Dancing With The Stars, Natalie has an impressive track record, winning the first series and coming second in two others. Her energy, focus and experience make her the perfect competitor for the new series of Strictly Come Dancing. "I love nothing more than to teach someone to dance from scratch. For me there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the progress in the celebrity from one week to the next."

Kristina Rihanoff (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Joe Calzaghe)

Siberian-born Latin American mambo specialist Kristina has danced all around the world and entered her first dancing competition at the tender age of seven years old. Making her Strictly Come Dancing debut last year Kristina was partnered with political correspondent, John Sergeant, hitting the headlines several times until their early departure. Kristina says: "I didn't know what to expect for my first year on the series. It was the biggest surprise of my professional career to be partnered by John Sergeant. When I saw him I thought 'Oh my God, what am I going to do?'"

Talking about her hopes for this year, Kristina says: "I want to take my partner all the way to the final this time. I am a skilful teacher and, if I have someone good next to me, I know we can make it."

Aliona Vilani (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Rav Wilding)

Aliona started ballroom dancing in Russia at the age of 11. An all-rounder, Aliona specialises in Ten Dance (ballroom and Latin) as well as salsa, hip hop and jazz. In 2001 Aliona turned professional becoming the youngest professional dancer in that decade in America and winning the Yankee Classic Rising-Star Professional Latin championship the subsequent year. Having previously appeared on America's Dancing With The Stars, this is Aliona's first series of Strictly Come Dancing.

Passionate about dance and people, she says: "I love to meet new people, to teach new students and just dance my little butt off! That's what I'm most looking forward to!"

Katya Virshilas (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Phil Tufnell)

Born in Lithuania, it was when Katya and her family moved to Vancouver that she discovered the joys of ballroom dancing. Katya competed in and won numerous championships, becoming the youngest-ever British Columbian Latin Dance Champion at the age of 16. In 2000, Katya won the Canadian Latin Championship, earning herself a place at the World Championships representing Canada in St Petersburg, Russia. It was also in Russia that Katya first discovered her love of teaching when she began instructing dance to children and teens.

She has not just restricted herself to young learners – in 2003 she pursued acting and won a role in the dance drama Shall We Dance where she also became the trainer for the film's stars, Richard Gere and Jennifer Lopez.

This will be her first Strictly Come Dancing and she says: "Of course I'm looking forward to dancing the most, with the other pros as well as my celebrity. I'm also excited to show people how original and inspiring ballroom can be."

The Professional Dancers – The Men

Darren Bennett (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Lynda Bellingham)

Darren is a down to earth, cheeky guy who loves his Northern roots. Darren and his partner and wife Lilia Kopylova, also appearing in Strictly Come Dancing, have been ranked the number one British Latin American couple. Other titles include the 2003 World Professional Rising Star Champions and the 2004 British Show Dance Champions.

Darren had always danced Ten Dance (ballroom and Latin) before he met Lilia in 1997 but they decided to specialise in Latin American.

A former Strictly champion, winning series two with actress Jill Halfpenny, this year Darren says he hopes "to go as far as I possibly can so that I can choreograph and be part of the show and explore all the opportunities with my new dance partner."

Brendan Cole (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Jo Wood)

Brendan Cole returns for his seventh Strictly Come Dancing. In his teens, Kiwi Brendan, along with his brother and sister, were considered three of the top dancers in New Zealand. After hearing about Britain's dancing reputation, Brendan moved to London seeking a career in dance at just 18 years old. Financing himself through manual labour in building and warehouse work, Brendan soon became Asian Pacific Latin America Champion and New Zealand Latin American Champion.

Most importantly, he was the winner of the first series of Strictly Come Dancing with partner Natasha Kaplinsky. Brendan says: "Now, as an old timer on the show, all I really want is someone that is lovely to be around... Actually, no, I do want someone who can dance too. In my single days I would've said I want someone stunning... I can't say that anymore... but it wouldn't hurt!"

Matthew Cutler (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Martina Hingis)

Matthew started dancing at the age of eight after his mother suggested he might like to go to classes. Matthew and his partner went on to become England's No 1 couple in the junior section and were undefeated champions in all the major competitions. Together they then went on to dominate the amateur section becoming World, European, UK and International Amateur Champions, to name a few.

Knowing the joys of both early defeat and winning, Matthew has been both the first out and the winner of the show, being crowned champion in 2007 with partner Alesha Dixon. He says: "My hopes are to win series seven. As a competitor I enjoy the hard work, the stress and pressure of competition. I perform better under stress!"

Anton Du Beke (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Laila Rouass)

Like many of our dancers, English gentlemen Anton had to work hard to finance his dancing. Working as a baker, getting up at 3.00am every day with dance practice in the evening, Anton is a hardened and well-experienced performer. He has won numerous titles such as the 2002 UBC Canadian Champion and the 2004 IDTA Classic Champion with his professional partner and fellow Strictly dancer Erin Boag.

Being a part of Strictly Come Dancing since the beginning, Anton has become one of its most popular faces. He says: "Since being involved in Strictly Come Dancing my life has changed completely. I can't walk down the street without women throwing themselves at me."

Brian Fortuna (Strictly Come Dancing partner is Ali Bastian)

Back for his second series, American Brian was born in Philadelphia where he was brought up on dance. From the age of four he danced at his mother's dance studio, Universal Dance Centre. Both of his parents held nationally-ranked titles in Ballroom and Latin. He began his competitive career at the age of just five years old and in 2001 he was a National Ballroom and Latin 10 Dance Finalist.

In his first series of Strictly Come Dancing Brian reached week eight with his partner singer Heather Small. This year, he says: "I want to dance with someone who is fun to work with, has a positive attitude, and is excited to learn the new dances."

James Jordan (Strictly Come Dancing Partner is Zoe Lucker)

Straight-talking James is a Latin American specialist who tells it like it is. After a slow start to the dancing scene, James soon took on some major Championships and, along with his professional partner, wife and fellow Strictly professional dancer Ola Jordan, he became professional in 2003.

After being knocked out in week four in both series four and five, last year James wanted to break this pattern. He succeeded by staying in the competition until week nine with partner Cherie Lunghi. This year he wants to go all the way: "Last year I got past my four-week curse... this year I want to be picking up the trophy."

Vincent Simone (Strictly Come Dancing Partner is Natalie Cassidy)

Italian Vincent Simone was brought up with strong dancing roots as both his parents teach Ballroom and Latin professionally. He joined the dancing scene aged seven where he showed a real talent. Vincent has since, along with his professional partner and fellow Strictly professional dancer, Flavia, performed in places such as Singapore, Canada and Japan. They have also become Professional Ten Dance Champions, UK Professional Showdance Champions and World Argentine Tango Show Champions in their time together.

He says: "I think people realise straightaway that I am easy to get along with, and I'm great fun. I like to joke with people."

Ian Waite (Strictly Come Dancing Partner is Jade Johnson)

Latin American dancing expert Ian is also an accomplished demonstrator, lecturer and coach. Teaching couples at all levels, from all over the world, including Dutch Amateur Champions, Ian took the prize himself of 2000 Dutch Professional Champion.

A genuinely warm and charming competitor, Ian has had a successful history with his partners on Strictly Come Dancing, often finishing in the final few. He says: "In the past I've been second so many times [in both the main series and Christmas specials]. To win this series would be the icing on the cake!"