Strictly Come Dancing Contestants Get Their Groove On As They Come Together With Pros And Judges At Official Launch

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The stars of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing showed off their moves for the first time on Monday night at the official launch of the series.

The 15 new celebrities came together with the professional dancers, presenters and judges at a special event outside the former BBC Television Centre in west London.

This year's Strictly Come Dancing contestants at the show's official launch

Made In Chelsea’s Jamie Laing, Coronation Street actress Catherine Tyldesley, presenter Anneka Rice, Radio 1 DJ Dev Griffin, footballer David James and EastEnders star Emma Barton were among those shaking their thing on stage.

Also putting their best foot forward were YouTuber Saffron Barker, BBC Breakfast’s Mike Bushell, Olympian James Cracknell, comedian Chris Ramsey, chef Viscountess Weymouth, Paralympian Will Bayley, CBBC presenter Karim Zeroual and sports pundit Alex Scott.

Jamie Laing and David James get their groove on

Emma Barton and Dev Griffin took to the stage

Notably absent though was Drag Race star Michelle Visage, who was not pictured at the event.

New judge Motsi Mabuse also united with her fellow panellists Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli for the first time.

Motsi Mabuse (second left) is replacing Darcey Bussell on the judging panel

The dancer, who is the sister of professional Oti Mabuse, is replacing former judge Darcey Bussell, who quit the show earlier this year.

The show’s professional dancers were also out in force, including Gorka Marquez and Graziano Di Prima, who both confirmed last week that they will not have celebrity partners this year.

Former couple Neil and Katya Jones also put on a united front despite their recent split, as they were seen dancing together on stage as Kylie Minogue performed.

Kylie Minogue performed with the professional dancers

The pair announced the end of their six-year marriage earlier this month, which followed Katya’s infamous kiss with dance partner Seann Walsh during the last series.

Neil and Katya Jones performed together despite their marriage split

The contestants will come together again later this week to film the second part of the special launch show, which is where they will discover who their professional partner will be.

They will then have two weeks to train together before taking to the floor for the first time as the competition officially kicks off.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One on Saturday 7 September.