There's only one thing Strictly Come Dancing pros, judges and contestants love more than the thought of getting their hands on the glitterball trophy and that's their dogs.
Three of the four judges all have furry pals who will be watching their pup parents dish out scores to the 15 couples - including TeamDogs ambassador Shirley Ballas.
Others cheering on their owners include Anton Du Beke's two sausage dogs and Gorka Marquez' spaniels Ollie and Norman.
Here's who else will be barking their good luck messages during the first live show on Saturday night.
Shirley Ballas and Charlie
Shirley credits her beloved Lhasa Apso, Charlie, for helping her grieve when her father passed away earlier this year.
The TeamDogs ambassador said: “I had the passing of my father in the last few days and it’s almost like he knows.
“I get emotional just talking about him. He is just really sincerely loyal, caring and kind. I have no words for my Charlie."
The head judge rescued him four years ago when he was due to be euthanised having been abandoned at a shelter.
The Strictly star said it was her son who had first come across the little dog with the broken hip at a shelter on his dog walk.
Determined to save him, Shirley gave her now BFF dog Charlie a home and the rest is history.
As she puts it: “Other people will come and go but that dog will be here until he decides he wants to go to doggy heaven. For me he is my everything.”
Craig Revel Horwood and Sophie and Charlie
Craig previously owned two King Charles Spaniels with his ex-partner, who took custody of Sophie and Charlie in 2016.
At the time, the choreographer said: "He [Damon] took the dogs. But then there was no way I could look after them because I was on tour and I was just about to do Sister Act as well. He’s living back with his parents and the dogs are happy.
"They are only a mile away in Hampshire and I have visitation rights. I go and see them but I just have to make sure he’s not there at the same time."
Anton Du Beke and Antoninus and Branston
Dachshunds Antoninus and Branston are Anton Du Beke’s ‘best friends’.
Sharing a photo of the short haired black and tan sausage dogs, the new Strictly judge said: “My life wouldn’t be the same without my handsome dachshunds. They give me so much joy, and have supported me through an incredibly tough year.”
He also made a charity video for Blue Cross’ Yours Furever campaign. In it he said: “My two dachshunds really are the perfect example of why dogs are a man’s best friend.
“They greet me every day with their tails wagging, they bring my mood up when I’m feeling down, and my daily walks with them keep me feeling energised and active.”
Gorka Marquez and Ollie and Norman
Spaniels Ollie and Norman live with Gorka, his wife Gemma Atkinson, and their young daughter, Mia.
Hollyoaks actress Gemma features the pups on her Instagram feed regularly and has even shared how they’ve been helping teach little Mia responsibilities.
She said: "They've [Ollie and Norman] been incredible, they're great with our daughter. A pet around a small child teaches them responsibility and passion.
"It's been a reason to have to go out walking, especially in lockdown - you're doing it both for the dog and for your own mental health and wellbeing."
When her waters broke, she said the dogs ‘never left her side’ as they waited for their little sister to arrive.
Graziano Di Prima and Rio
Dancer Graziano’s miniature pinscher is the ‘bread to his butter’ and he takes the little dog travelling all over the world with him. When they’re apart, he constantly posts about how much he misses his dog, Rio.
He got the puppy in April 2020, sharing the news with his followers with a caption that read: "Introducing our Rio @giada.lini #rio #newfamilymember #doglovers #pinschertoy."
His Strictly co-stars are fans too with Katya Jones writing: "Awwwwwwww!!!! Que bello!!!" and Karen Hauer saying: "Cutie!!!!"
Neil and Katya Jones with Crumble
Despite ending their marriage and 11-year romance in 2019, the couple still co-parent their dog Crumble.
But in January 2021, Neil altered the pact adding a new condition, which would mean if Katya wanted to see Crumble, she came as a package deal with Neil’s new dog, Chorizo.
Dancer Neil told The Express : "I've got Crumble, who's eight. I've had her since a puppy.
"Two or three weeks ago, I adopted another dog, originally when he came to me his name was Tofu, but he doesn't really recognise his name, so I've changed it to Chorizo.
"With Crumble, if Katya ever wants to see Crumble, that's no problem whatsoever.
"But I have said to her, if she wants to take Crumble, she has to take Chorizo as well because they're brother and sister now and I can't separate them.”
Neil has shared to his Instagram followers how the doggy duo have helped him with his mental health throughout the pandemic.
He said: “I think you can all agree that lockdown has been difficult but it’s been made easier for me because of Crumble and Chorizo, pets can really help with your mental health and making sure you have the right surroundings, this includes your plants and really feeling like you are at home. “
Karen Hauer and Betty, Marley and Phoebe
Karen owns three foreign rescue dogs which have all been brought over by Wild at Heart Foundation.
Growing up in Venezuela, her mum owned pedigree Dobermans, which kickstarted her love of dogs.
The longest-serving female pro got Betty from Bosnia. She was found matted with concrete embedded in her skin.
She told K9 magazine : “When I first got her, I thought she was going to be smaller because she looked quite small in her pictures but when I got her she was literally like a miniature bear (laughs). She has a really long body and she's really fluffy.”
Then came Marley, from Greece, who was just three months old roaming the streets, who Karen applied for during rehearsals for Strictly.
Her most recent member of the family is Phoebe. A Grecian rescue who was left for dead when a car drove over her.
The tri-pawed dog and her two siblings are often captured in adorable videos and photos on Karen’s Instagram.
Oti Mabuse and Leo
Winner of the competition two years running, Oti got pup Leo last year.
“And just like that... in 4 frames is how I became the THIRD wheel,” Oti captioned four similar pictures of the pair.
She added the hashtags “#menandpuppies” and “#imgettingacat” to the post, which she shared with her 561,000 followers.
The couple welcomed the cockapoo puppy before Oti’s Strictly stint last year. She’s also shared how the puppy has got her out and about on walks, sharing a snap with the caption: “Ever since I got Leo, and over the various lockdowns, I’ve been on more walks than ever.”
John Whaite and Abel
TV chef John will make Strictly history this year as one half of the show's first all-male partnership with Johannes Radebe.
The Great British Bake Off winner is the owner of a gorgeous lurcher called Abel, who he took to the beach for his fourth birthday, in June.
He shared this snap on Instagram captioned: Took the birthday boy to his favourite place to run around, dig in the sand and chase seagulls. Abel is 4 today.”
Dan Walker and Winnie
BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker has a red cockapoo named Winnie.
The 44-year-old recently revealed that the pup has been poorly, following a back injury.
He updated his followers, telling them: “Our lovely Winnie has been in a lot of pain for a couple of weeks after injuring her back. We don’t know how she did it but she was struggling to walk and even had to be helped onto the sofa.
“We have given her a lot of love and - with a little help from travelling vet Matt from Paws4Health (on Facebook ) - she is on the mend and chasing squirrels again."
Strictly Come Dancing 2021's first live show airs Saturday (September 25) on BBC One.
