Strictly Come Dancing confirms two same-sex couples as…

Strictly Come Dancing confirms two same-sex couples as contestants and pairings announced

All 15 couples for this year's series of Strictly Come Dancing have been announced, with celebrities finally pairing up with their professional dancer partners.

Friday's launch show on BBC confirmed who would be dancing with who, with all pairings taking to the dancefloor for the first time.

For the first time ever, there will be two same-sex couples taking part in the 2022 series.

An all-male and all-female couple will compete in the show for the first time since it began in 2004.

Comedian Jayde Adams and professional dancer Karen Hauer were confirmed to be performing together during the launch show.

Jayde said: "Karen IS Strictly”, as Karen replied: "I’m absolutely excited, I have so many ideas, too many ideas, this is going to be a golden moment for me.”

Radio 2 host Richie Anderson was paired up with male professional dancer Giovanni Pernice, and it's safe to say the news went down well.

Strictly's 2022 pairing list includes an all-male couple and an all-female pair for the first time (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

He said: "Could you get anyone better than Mr Giovanni? I feel like I’m the envy of the British public right now!"

Giovanni was also pleased saying, “He’s got A LOT of energy, I’m very very happy!”

Full list of contestants and pairings:

Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmin
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez
James Bye and Amy Dowden
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Matt Goss and Nadiya Bychkova
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu

It comes as some fans believe they already know who will win the show.

The full cast of celebrities for the 20th series of Strictly Come Dancing (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

According to bookmakers, Countryfile and former Blue Peter host Helen Skelton is the favourite to take home the Glitterball trophy this year.

But fans don't think this will be the case, and instead believed a singer and former I'm A Celebrity star was instead set to be crowned the winner in December, Mirror UK reports.

Taking to Twitter, fans suggested Fleur East was set for victory with her dance partner Vito Coppola.

One viewer tweeted: "Fleur is going to win," as another said: "I think Fleur will win."

A third tweeted: "Well based off that group dance. Fleur East wins #Strictly 2022. Kym Marsh in the semi-finals at least."

Another agreed: "Fleur East is going to win this DID YOU SEE THAT?"

A fifth fan commented: "I’m going to call it super early this year… Fleur and Vito for the win."

Speaking during the show, Fleur performed a rap for her pro dance partner and shared her excitement to be doing the show.

Meanwhile, Vito said: "Behind this smile I’m very tough but I’m sure that she’s going to be alright because she’s a hard worker too!"