Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing is back for another series. Sixteen couples will fight it out to become the winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2009.

The couples consist of one celebrity and one professional dancer.

Each week the contestants have to dance their way through to the next round by impressing the judges and the viewers at home.

There is a dance-off after every show, where the two lowest rated couples compete against eachother for the judges approval. Following the dance-off, one couple will be sent home.

The celebrities will have to learn a variety of dance moves in their time on Strictly, and master their moves in order to progress in the contest.

The Saturday night show is hosted by Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth on BBC One.

Tom Chambers won it last year. Who do you think will hold the crown this year?

Celebrities


Ali Bastian & Brian Fortuna - Ali is best known for her appearances in Hollyoaks and The Bill. - Brian in 27 years old and his speciality dance is Latin. His professional partner is Kristina Rihanoff. Danced Off: Semi-Final	Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan - Chris is known for appearing on BBC Breakfast News where he works on sport. - Ola is 26 years old and her speciality is Latin American. She has danced with her husband, and fellow Strictly dancer James Jordan professionally for 9 years.	Craig Kelly & Flavia Cacace - Craig is currently appearing in Coronation Street. He has also been in Hotel Babylon and Queer as Folk. He has also been the voice over for C4's Shipwrecked: Battle of the Island's. - Flavia is 30 and specialises in Ten Dance. She has danced together with Vincent Simone for the last 13 years. Danced Off: Week 8	Jade Johnson & Ian Waite - Jade has gained medals in the Commonwealth Games & the European Championships for her long jump. She will be taking part in the 2012 Olympics. - Ian has been dancing since he was 10 years old. His professional partner is Camilla Dallerup and he specialises in Latin American. Walked: Week 10

Joe Calzaghe & Kristina Rihanoff - Joe is a boxer who has won the 2007 BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award. He has won many boxing titles including the WBC & IBF Super Middle Weight Belts. - Kristina is 32, and has competed around the world. She specialises in Latin American. Danced Off: Week 5	Jo Wood & Brendan Cole - Jo is a massive Strictly fan and had a major role in the Rolling Stones. - Brendan is 33 and his speciality is Latin American. He also danced with Camilla Dullerup for 8 years. Danced Off: Week 6	Laila Rouass & Anton Du Beke - Laila first appeared on Footballer's Wives and has since appeared on ITV1's Primeval. - Anton specialises in ballroom dancing, and dances professionally with fellow Strictly star, Erin Boag for the last 11 years. Danced Off: Week 11	Lynda Bellingham & Darren Bennett - Lynda is a 60 year old actress who has appeared on Doctor Who, The Bill and Holby City. She has also appeared on the panel of ITV1's Loose Women. - Darren is 32 years old and has been dancing with Lilia Kopylova for 12 years. He specialises in Latin American. Danced Off: Week 4

Martina Hingis & Matthew Cutler - Martina is a world champion of tennis. She has won the U.S Open, Wimbledon and won 3 times in Australia. - Matthew is 35 years old and specialises in Latin American. His professional partner is Nicole Cutler. Danced Off: Week 1	Natalie Cassidy & Vincent Simone - Natalie is best known for her role in Eastenders as Sonia. Since Eastender's she has released several fitness DVD's and appeared in theatre. - Vincent is 30 years old and has been dancing with Flavia Cacace for 13 years. His speciality is Ten Dance and Argentine Tango. Last year he came runner up in the final with Rachel Stevens. Danced Off: Week 10	Phil Tuffnell & Katya Virshilas - Phil was a cricket star for many years. Since his retirement he has appeared on ITV's I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here! and BBC's A Question of Sport. - Katya is 25 years old and says that Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Mamba, and Salsa are all her specialities.	Rav Wilding & Aliona Vilani - Rav is best known for BBC's Crimewatch. He also reports crime issues for The One Show. - Aliona is 25 years old. Her speciality is Ten Dance and she is the youngest person to turn professional in America this decade. Danced Off: Week 3

Richard Dunwoody & Lilia Kopylova - Richard is a three-time champion Jockey. He has won the Grand National, Cheltenham Gold Cup and the Champion Hurdle. - Lilia is 31 and she has been dancing with husband Darren Bennett since 1997. Her speciality is Latin American. Danced Off: Week 2	Ricky Groves & Erin Boag - Ricky is best known for his role in Eastenders as Garry Hobbs. - Erin is 34 years old and has danced professionally with Anton Du Beke since 1997. Danced Off: Week 9	Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe - Ricky plays Calvin Valentine in C4's Hollyoaks. He has also appeared in Dream Team and has been nominated several times for Sexiest Male at the Soap Awards. - Natalie is a 24 year old Australian. She specialises in Ballroom.	Zoe Lucker & James Jordan - Zoe is best known for her role in Footballer's Wives, where she played scheming Tanya Turner. - James is 31 and he dances professionally with Ola Jordan, his wife. His speciality is Latin American. Danced Off: Week 7

Judges & Presenters


Alesha Dixon Info: Alesha is replacing Arlene Phillips this year and she also won the 2007 show.	Bruno Tonioli Info: Bruno is a highly respected choreographer and was a dancer.	Craig Revel Horwood Info: Craig is a top theatre choreographer and is the most opinionated of the judges.

Darcey Bussell Info: Darcey was one of the youngest Principle dancers for the Royal Ballet.	Len Goodman Info: Len is the head judge and has been a professional dancer as well as a professional judge.	Bruce Forsyth & Tess Daly Info: Bruce and Tess have presented every series of SCD so far.