The final lineup of celebrities taking part in this years contest is confirmed as:
JONNIE PEACOCK - Paralympic Gold Medalist
DEBBIE McGEE - TV Personality and Presenter
CHIZZY AKUDOLU - Actor in BBC TV Holby City
CHARLOTTE HAWKINS - Newsreader, TV Good Morning Britain
BRIAN CONLEY - Actor and Entertainer
SUSAN CALMAN - Comedian and Broadcaster
ASTON MERRYGOLD - Singer and Songwriter
MOLLY KING - Singer in girl group The Saturdays
DAVOOD GHADAMI - Actor in BBC TV EastEnders
RUTH LANGSFORD - TV Presenter and broadcaster, ITV Loose Women
Revd RICHARD COLES - Writer, Broadcaster and CofE priest
GEMMA ATKINSON - Actor in Channel 4 Hollyoaks and BBC TV Casualty
SIMON RIMMER - Celebrity TV Chef and Presenter Channel 4 Sunday Brunch
JOE McFADDEN - Actor in BBC TV Holby City
ALEXANDRA BURKE - Singer and winner of ITV X Factor 2008
The first show began on Saturday, September 9 at 7pm on BBC One, running to 8:40pm.
This was a pre-recorded launch show and will be hosted byTess Daly and Claudia Winkleman who presented an exclusive premiere and star-studded red carpet launch for the 15th series of Strictly Come Dancing and welcomed the 15 brand new celebrity contestants to the dancefloor.
The live shows will then begin later, launching on Saturday 23rd September.
Meanwhile, The X Factor gets a head start on Strictly with its first auditions episode this Saturday night (2nd September) from 8pm on ITV.
