MEET THE STARS HOPING TO QUICKSTEP THEIR WAY TO THE GLIT TERBALL TROPHY

Another season of glitter and glamour is almost upon us as the nation’s favourite ballroom competition, Strictly Come Dancing, returns this autumn. Fifteen celebrities, including former tennis player Annabel Croft, West End star Layton Williams and journalist Angela Rippon, are putting on their dancing shoes and getting ready to rumba. In honour of Strictly fever descending once more, former professional dancers James and Ola Jordan (together inset above left) – who will be joining hello!’s Strictly Confidential online video show during the series to give their thoughts each week – have given us their exclusive pre-show predictions.

“We always look forward to it,” they say. “It’s the great thing about Strictly — it doesn’t matter if you don’t know who people are, you follow their journey and you look forward to seeing them do certain dances and watch their training.” Here, we meet the Strictly class of 2023 and James and Ola give their expert opinions…

ANGELA RIPPON

Journalist and presenter Angela Rippon is twirling her way into the contest and history – at 78, she is the show’s oldest ever contestant. She thrilled viewers with her high kicks – which she can reportedly still do – in the Morecambe and Wise 1976 Christmas special, but said: “This will be quite an adventure for me – ascary one, considering I’m about to be 79, but I’m really looking forward to the challenge.”

James and Ola say:

‘This is a genius signing! The fact she presented Come Dancing back in the day – she’s the reason Strictly is here. She’ll be classy, elegant, take it seriously and prove to people that you can be good at any age. Hats off!’