This year’s celebs, including former England football player Paul Merson, TV presenter Nick Knowles, JLS member JB Gill, singer Toyah Willcox, and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek, were partnered with their dance partners for the opening show, which was hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Professional dancer Amy Dowden, who had a mastectomy and chemotherapy following her breast cancer diagnosis in May 2023, also made her comeback. Wearing a hot pink outfit, the 34-year-old Welsh celebrity stole the show as part of a group medley that featured songs like “Training Season” by Dua Lipa and “Busy Earnin'” by Jungle.
The emotional performance came to a close with an embrace between the professional and the star, who currently shows “no evidence of disease”.
Returns strictly in the wake of a storm of controversy around the alleged mistreatment of famous candidates from past seasons, which prompted the introduction of chaperones to be present “at all times” during rehearsals.
Actress Amanda Abbington, who participated in 2023, made accusations regarding Giovanni Pernice; the news opened an investigation, although the results are not yet known.
