Strictly Come Dancing 2018 launch show: Six talking points

The latest instalment is finally here

It’s finally here. After weeks of dissecting the line-up and debating how much dance experience is too much, we saw the fab-u-lous 15 take the tense walk down the Strictly staircase into series 16.

The launch show was endearingly predictable: panto comments from Craig Revel Horwood, sequins galore, Claudia Winkleman being unable to look out from beneath her slightly-too-long fringe… And excruciating jokes (even as a superfan there’s nothing good to say about an iPad/eye patch based gag from the hosts in 2018). Oh, and a big song and dance (not literally this time) about Darcey Bussell’s damehood.

The contestants looked as nervous and dazzling as ever as they finally met their professional partners and then clung onto them for dear life for the rest of the show. It was a sparkling introduction, but a mere aperitif to the series proper – get training guys, we’re counting down the days…

Here are the main talking points:

Anton rides a glitterball

As is now tradition, the launch show kicked off with a show-stopping group number that began on the red carpet and ended on the Strictly dancefloor. With sequined tassels shaking and hips rotating, it really got us in the mood and the piece de resistance? Anton emerging from the ceiling riding a huge glitterball, like a painfully middle-class, British version of the Miley Cyrus Wrecking Ball video. We’ve never seen Anton du Beke look happier. No word yet on whether he ever got down.

The partnerships: the big reveal

Gone are the days when the celebrities might have a genuine reaction to the partner reveals (remember when Lulu looked furious that she’d be stuck in a training room with Brendan Cole for hours on end? Glory days). So naturally they were all delighted with their partners. Highlights include Faye from Steps joining forces with Giovanni (who is definitely due the glitterball by now) and intensely likeable Stacey Dooley matching up with fan favourite Kevin.

The pros do Carpool Karaoke

It was only a small part of one of the VTs, but Kevin driving Aljaz, Gorka and Giovanni around, making jokes about Anton, deserves its own spin-off series. Or at least a regular item on It Takes Two. The pros were all on good form tonight and we got to meet three new dancers, although only one of them will get a celebrity partner this year, Graziano Di Prima.

Strictly curse: the rumour mill begins

Susannah was over the moon to be paired with Anton (although literally the only person in the room to be surprised by it). “Bring on the Strictly curse!” she shouted in delight. You might be unlucky there, Susannah, but here’s hoping chemistry blossoms between Vick and Graziano.

The celebs do the group dance

Always the most entertaining moment of the launch show, the moment where the entire cast dances together at the end is usually chaos. But it actually looked pretty slick tonight, indicating a very high standard across the board. Sure, there were a few stiff hips and blank faces, but it looks like we’re in for some incredible performances this year.

... And those pairings in full

• Fashion journalist Susannah Constantine and Anton Du Beke 
• Radio DJ Vick Hope and Graziano Di Prima
• Steps singer Faye Tozer and Giovanni Pernice
• News anchor Kate Silverton and Aljaz Skorjanec
• Presenter Katie Piper and Gorka Marquez
• Paralympian Lauren Steadman and AJ Pritchard
• Documentary maker Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton
• Pussycat Dolls singer Ashley Roberts and Pasha Kovalev
• Red Dwarf actor Danny John Jules and Amy Dowden
• This Morning doctor Dr Ranj Singh and Janette Manrara
• Casualty actor Charles Venn and Karen Clifton
• Blue star Lee Ryan and Nadiya Bychkova
• YouTuber Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell
• Comedian Seann Walsh and Katya Jones
• Graeme Swann and Oti Mabuse