BBC Strictly Come Dancing fans name 'dark horse' after new details emerge ahead of first dance

Strictly Come Dancing fans have named the 'dark horse' of the competition ahead of the first live show. The hit BBC One dance contest already kicked off last week with the pre-recorded launch show.

During the first episode of the series, the celebrities were welcomed to the ballroom by hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman for the first time before they were paired with their professional dancers.

Among them were comedian Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, Morning Live's resident GP Dr Punam Krishan and Gorka Marquez, singer Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones, actor Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu, JLS star JB Gill and Amy Dowden, Olympian and presenter Sam Quek and Nikita Kuzmin, and former footballer Paul Merson and Karen Hauer.

READ MORE: BBC Strictly Come Dancing's Shayne Ward 'wants to win' as he uses X Factor experience to take on judges

But it's this Saturday (September 21) that the 2024 run of the competition really gets underway as the 15 new couples perform their first dances with the judges' comments and scores.

For the first time on Friday (September 20) it was revealed what each couple will be dancing to. Actress Sarah Hadland and reigning champion Vito will be performing a Quickstep to 9 to 5 by Dolly Parton, while former Love Island star Tasha Ghour and Aljaž Skorjaned are dancing the Cha Cha to Espresso by Sabrina Carpenter.

Viewers will also see EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas will perform a Viennese Waltz to Beautiful Things by Benson Boone as podcast host Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał will dance a Paso Doble to Breathe by The Prodigy.

And it is Pete who has sparked interest among fans of the dance show following the reveal of the songs and dances for week one. @inmyreperas said: "Okay, but why do I think @p_wicks01 may actually be a dark horse in this competition." @rackennedy wrote: "Always save the best till last. Smash it @p_wicks01." @smartin2610 added: "I honestly think Pete is seen as an underdog but I think he could go all the way!"