Strictly’s Tasha Ghouri goes make-up free while Chris McCausland shares a giggle with pro partner Dianne Buswell as they lead the stars heading to the studio ahead of the first live show

The Strictly Come Dancing stars were out in force as they left their hotel and headed to Elstree Studios ahead of the very first live show on Saturday.

Leading the pack was Tasha Ghouri, who looked radiant as she went make-up free ahead of getting glammed up for the programme.

The Love Island star, 26 – who recently told why she’s not worried about the Strictly curse – offered a friendly wave as she sat in the back of a car.

Before getting in, Tasha displayed her incredible figure in khaki green gym gear and a black leather jacket as she clutched a cup of coffee. 

Meanwhile, Chris McCausland and his pro partner Dianne Buswell were in great spirits as they giggled away while exiting the hotel.

Chris McCausland and his pro partner Dianne Buswell were in great spirits as they giggled away while exiting the hotel

With their luggage in tow, the blind comedian, 47, clearly said something funny as the flame-haired dancer, 35, tipped her head back and laughed heartily. 

Dianne put on a leggy display as she wheeled her suitcase outside, teaming a green shirt with very short shorts and black boots. 

Meanwhile, Toyah Wilcox flashed a dazzling smile as she stepped outside in a floral dress.

Dr Punan Krishan appeared ready and raring to go, offering a big smile while climbing into the vehicle. 

While Montell Douglas could barely contain her excitement at the upcoming show as she cheerfully made her way to her car.

Pro dancers Gorka Marquez, Aljaž Škorjanec and Neil Jones were also on fine form ahead of the big live show.

On Saturday, all fifteen couples will perform for the first time in a bid to win over the judges, after the pairings were first revealed last week.

While the first songs and dances of the new series has also been revealed as this year’s couples prepare to make their debut in the BBC ballroom. 

Leading the pack was Tasha Ghouri , who looked radiant as she went make-up free ahead of getting glammed up for the programme 

Before getting in, Tasha displayed her incredible figure in khaki green gym gear and a black leather jacket as she clutched a cup of coffee

With their luggage in tow, the blind comedian, 47, clearly said something funny as the flame-haired dancer, 35, tipped her head back and laughed heartily

Dianne was in stitches as she left the hotel with her comedian partner

Dianne put on a leggy display as she wheeled her suitcase outside, teaming a green shirt with very short shorts and black boots

Dianne showed off her toned, tanned legs as she walked towards the waiting car

Chris was in a great mood as he prepared for his big dance

Ahead of Saturday’s live show, host Tess Daly also offered fans some insight into the dances that fans can expect. 

Sending a voicenote to husband Vernon Kay on his BBC Radio 2 Show, she said: ‘Hi Vern, the excitement is palpable in the studio today. 

‘It’s really building, because all 15 celebrities are dancing live for the very first time on tomorrow night’s show. 

‘Costumes are being finalised, fake tan sessions are being booked. We’ve got sambas, two sambas, and the samba’s challenging as a first dance, so that’s going to be really interesting.

‘We’ve got cha chas, and when I tell you that Paul Merson’s American Smooth is not to be missed, I promise I am not joking. 

‘We just can’t wait for everyone to see all the hard work these brilliant celebrities have put in in the training room, it’s gonna be an amazing show! See you tomorrow, 7 o’clock!’

The 20th anniversary series of Strictly has been somewhat tainted after the BBC show was embroiled in scandal in a year plagued with controversy. 

And the BBC failed to address the scandal during the launch episode despite the results of the misconduct investigation still pending.  

Meanwhile, Toyah Wilcox flashed a dazzling smile as she stepped outside in a floral dress

Toyah looked very excited while making her way out of the hotel

Dr Punan Krishan appeared ready and raring to go, offering a big smile while climbing into the vehicle

The GP will dance with Gorka Marquez on Saturday

Montell Douglas could barely contain her excitement at the upcoming show as she cheerfully made her way to her car

The pros and celebrities were all seen making their way to Elstree for Saturday’s live extravaganza

Pro dancers Gorka Marquez [left] and Neil Jones [right] were also on fine form ahead of the big live show

Aljaž Škorjanec gave a thumbs up amid the controversy surrounding his return to the show

It all began last October when actress Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show before claiming that her partner Giovanni Pernice was abusive towards her.

The Sherlock actress has made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims. 

Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over allegations made by Amanda and two other former celebrity partners. 

He has vehemently denied the claims. 

With the report into his misconduct due any day now, Amanda has reportedly been left deeply disappointed with the BBC bosses over fears they’re ‘protecting’ the dancer amid the bullying probe.

There have been high-level meetings among BBC bosses as they navigate how to deliver their findings as they fear the looming possibility of legal action from either Amanda or Giovanni if either is disappointed by the outcome. 

After Giovanni, the show was hit with a fresh wave of scandal when Graziano Di Prima was sacked  in July for ‘kicking’ his partner Love Island star Zara McDermott.

Zara explained that she didn’t report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash. 

Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni was taking place.

Zara told her followers that while much of her time on Strictly ‘was everything I could have dreamt of’ inside the training room with Graziano there were ‘particular incidents which are incredibly distressing’.

Strictly Come Dancing’s first live show airs on Saturday at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer. 

Strictly Come Dancing 2024: Who are the couples?

Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell 

JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE 

Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk 

Paul Merson and Karen Hauer 

Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał

Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin 

Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola 

Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones 

Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez 

Wynne Evans and Katya Jones 

Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec 

Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas 

Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe 

Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova 

Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu