Three Strictly Come Dancing pros have been left disappointed after they weren’t given a celebrity dancer to compete with this year.
Luba Mushtuk, and newcomers Jowita Prytzal and Cameron Lombard, were the only pros not to be given a celeb star for this year’s competition - leaving them as reserves.
While Jowita is yet to get the opportunity to partner up, Luba has been on the show for the past four years, getting two celebrity partners.
Rower and Olympian James Cracknell was her first celebrity in 2019, but the couple became the first eliminated from that series.
She fared little better last year with NFL player Jason Bell, becoming the second couple given the chop.
But while she missed out on a celebrity pairing this year, Luba remains positive.
Writing on Instagram ahead of the launch show, she explained: ”I’m SO looking forward to this series of [Strictly]Starts TONIGHT at 7.45 pm on [BBC One].
“Although I won’t be dancing with a celebrity partner this year, I am very grateful and excited as ever to be part of this show - it means so much to me.”
“I can’t wait to share with you all what we’ve been working on,” she added. “It's going to be one incredible series …. Let the fun begin!”
While Luba and Jowita weren’t partnered up, Nancy Xu, who has been with the show for three years, has finally received her first chance at the glitterball with CBBC presenter Rhys Stephenson.
There are three new additions to the line-up, only two of which are competing ; Nikita Kuzmin, who is paired with Tilly Ramsay and Kai Widdrington is dancing with presenter AJ Odudu.
Two groundbreaking couples were formed this year - with the show’s first same-sex couple, John Whaite and Johannes Radebe, as well as the introduction of the first-ever deaf participant, Eastenders’ Rose Ayling-Ellis.
It’s also the first year with Anton Du Beke as an official judge, with Janette making her debut off the dancefloor as the new It Takes Two presenter.
In order to secure the show and keep it Covid safe, a number of adjustments have been put in place for the cast and crew.
This includes pre-recording all professional dance routines - which open each show - and limiting audience numbers.
The celebs showed off their moves in the first group dance on Saturday night as the pairings were revealed for the first time.
However, the show received its lowest ratings for a series launch in 11 years.
Their first routines will be performed next Saturday with the competition officially kicking off, with everyone dancing for the first time.
Scores will then rollover to the following week, when the eliminations begin.
Get ready to start dancing!
Strictly Come Dancing airs Saturday on BBC One.
