There isn’t long to go until this year’s celebrities will have to face the dance floor as the new series of Strictly Come Dancing kicks off.
Following the launch show – which saw the stars paired with the pro dancers – on September 3, things will finally get under way next weekend on Saturday September 23.
To plug the gap between shows, the stars have been keeping Strictly fans updated with their behind-the-scenes antics at rehearsals, and it looks like it’s a load of fun so far!
US singer Anastacia and her dancing partner Brendan Cole have been larking around in the studio, showing off their impressive joint selfie skills instead of their fancy footwork.
@brendancoleinsta is such a great teacher look what I can do. Can't wait to show you the finished routine. #strictlycomedancing #teamfab
A photo posted by Anastacia (@anastaciamusic) on
But Brendan shared a snap of the pop hitmaker posing nicely in her camo top mid-rehearsal, adding that she’s an “awesome partner”. Aw…
My awesome partner @anastaciamusic rockin' the #combat gear as she sets up for her after training interview. @bbcstrictly #dance #strictly #rehearsal
A photo posted by Brendan Cole (@brendancoleinsta) on
Political type Ed Balls has revealed that he is having some issues with his posture, and that he and his pro partner Katya Jones are working on some intense-looking stretching exercises:
Presenter Laura Whitmore is making sure to highlight good causes while learning her steps for the first episode, showing off her Lady Garden hoodie in order to raise awareness for Gynae Cancer Awareness Month:
And breathe.. #ladygarden #patatina #littlepotato Let's raise awareness of/help fight Gynae Cancers @gynaecancerfund pic.twitter.com/6FBblnuSbd
— Laura Whitmore (@thewhitmore) September 14, 2016
Her partner Giovanni Pernice is thrilled with her progress, too!
Week 2 and @thewhitmore is doing reaaaaally well!! ðð #proudteacher #TeamLovanni
— Giovanni Pernice (@pernicegiovann1) September 14, 2016
Daisy Lowe looks to be having a whale of a time getting prepped, as she and her dance partner Aljaz Skorjanec just can’t stop smiling:
Team #happyDAyz in full swing â¤ï¸ðð»ð⨠@aljazskorjanec @bbcstrictly ð»ðâ¤ï¸
A photo posted by daisylowe (@daisylowe) on
Happy Dayzzzzzz with my favourite partner in crime @aljazskorjanec ðð»ð⨠#teamhappyDAyz
A photo posted by daisylowe (@daisylowe) on
Will Young is also smiling but he’s admitted it’s “tough work” training with Karen Clifton.
Tough work but having so much fun training with @karencliftonofficial #HelpWill #Strictly
A photo posted by Will Young (@willyoungofficial) on
The singer has also begged for help while training during the September heatwave…
Day 7 – Meltdown #Strictly #HelpWill pic.twitter.com/GkSpW59w0Z
— Will Young (@willyoung) September 14, 2016
Gymnast Claudia Fragapane and her partner AJ Pritchard – AKA the “Pocket Rockets” – are making sure social media knows almost every move they’re making…
Brain is fried but still smilingð¤ learnt a lot today thanks to this guy @aj11ace #PocketRockets ð
A photo posted by claudia fragapane (@claudiafrag) on
@claudiafrag WATER ðð»ðð»…. @bbcstrictly #scd #strictlycomedancing #PocketRockets ð¥ðð … #interview
A video posted by AJ Pritchard (@aj11ace) on
â︅#PocketRockets ð¥ðð
A photo posted by AJ Pritchard (@aj11ace) on
#PocketRockets ð¥ðð – @claudiafrag @aj11ace @bbcstrictly Day 3 #scd #strictlycomedancing
A video posted by AJ Pritchard (@aj11ace) on
Olympian Greg Rutherford and dancer Natalie Lowe have been working so hard, the dancer was all but left weeping on the studio floor, by the looks of it…
Fully dead with sweat patch on floor ð @RealNatalieLowe @bbcstrictly pic.twitter.com/qFJweMIxeG
— Greg Rutherford (@GregJRutherford) September 12, 2016
When you tire your pro out ð #ImReady @bbcstrictly @RealNatalieLowe pic.twitter.com/ldcOG1QdhS
— Greg Rutherford (@GregJRutherford) September 12, 2016
Me and the partner in crime @nbody_natalielowe at the city games in #Newcastle yesterday. My season is now officially over. I'm purely a dancer for the next couple of months ðð» @bbcstrictly
A photo posted by Greg Rutherford (@gregjrutherford) on
Sports presenter Ore Oduba has been working hard on his Disney fashions in the studio with Joanne Clifton… er…
Mickey is getting beasted by @joanneclifton today!! ð«ð«ð« #training #strictly https://t.co/FiekFKKPyA pic.twitter.com/MIwNTGu6eN
— Ore Oduba (@OreOduba) September 15, 2016
And here’s how radio star Melvin Odoom and Janette Manrara are getting on:
Are @MelvinOdoom and @JManrara spending their #Strictly training dancing or laughing? Watch their First Steps! pic.twitter.com/Gii20XViZ6
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 13, 2016
Pro dancer Anton Du Beke has revealed his star partner Lesley Joseph is pretty darn flexible, sharing a snap from one of their rehearsals:
Ouch!! Are you sure this is the waltz?! @bbcstrictly pic.twitter.com/Aym33Qh9oZ
— Anton Du Beke (@TheAntonDuBeke) September 9, 2016
But he’s also worked her to the bone by the looks of things!
Before and after! @bbcstrictly #rehearsals ##SCD pic.twitter.com/0T1L7BS2Bh
— Anton Du Beke (@TheAntonDuBeke) September 7, 2016
Louise Redknapp hasn’t given too much away about how her rehearsals with Kevin Clifton are going, but we’re sure she’s doing just fine… in-between shopping trips!
#stilldancing 4 days in ð¯ yay @keviclifton
A video posted by Louise Redknapp (@louiseredknapp) on
Thanks @topshop_personalshopping for such a lovley event with @astylealbum last night thanks to everyone who came down to talk fashion and shop âð¼ï¸ð¸#alwaysfun both outfits @topshop
A photo posted by Louise Redknapp (@louiseredknapp) on
EastEnders star Tameka Empson is really being put through her paces by Gorka Marquez…
She's hilarious, but is @Tameka_Empson taking #Strictly seriously? See her take her First Steps with @GorkaMarquez1: pic.twitter.com/EXkPEzVTfR
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 11, 2016
Judge Rinder and Oksana Platero are going hardcore, fitting in workouts before they actually practise their moves!
@judgerindertv and I working out before our rehearsal today @bbcstrictly #strictly #partnersincrime
A video posted by oksana Platero (@oksanaplatero) on
Soap hunk Danny Mac, who is partnered with Oti Mabuse, has likened learning dance routines to learning a new language… he’s not wrong!
So @Otlile_mabuse, is @DannyMacOnline a good pupil? Let's watch their #Strictly First Steps and find out! pic.twitter.com/6BysxNjUUo
— BBC Strictly (@bbcstrictly) September 10, 2016
Danny certainly looks to be struggling with the use of all those extra muscles, too:
Work in session, rolling out some tightness before we begin ðªð¾ #teamdoti pic.twitter.com/lV47pBR963
— Oti Mabuse (@otlile_mabuse) September 14, 2016
Finally, BBC Breakfast’s Naga Munchetty and Pasha Kovalev appear to spend a lot of time mucking about:
I have no idea how did @BBCNaga got herself in there… pic.twitter.com/u6tNOywC5b
— Pasha Kovalev (@PashaKovalev) September 13, 2016
