Girls that glitter! Abbey Crouch leads the Strictly Come Dancing women on the glitzy parade as they glam up for the show's launch night
By HANNA FLINT and SOPHIA CHARALAMBOUS
|
It was more like a battle of the sequins than a battle of the dance routines as the girls led the glamour trail for the Strictly Come Dancing launch night on Tuesday.
Catwalk model and yummy mummy Abbey Crouch led the pack in her shimmering sequined ensemble complete with a blue feather fringe.
The mum-of-one was so excited about the hit ITV show's launch, she tweeted: 'Just getting ready for the @bbcstrictly red carpet launch #glitter #crystals #fun.'
Stunning in sparkles: Abbey stuns in a sequin dress with blue feather trim as she gears up for the show
She followed this with a mention of her make-up which was equally striking for the occasion and said: 'My eye makeup for today @bbcstrictly launch by the gorgeous unbelievable Lisa.'
All through the night there were sequins at every turn, lashings of fake tan and enough tassels to keep a curtain shop in business for several months.
Contestants, judges and presenters battled to out-do each other in the glamour stakes as they shimmied down the red carpet.
Laughs and smiles for now: Abbey and dance partner Patrick Robinson laughed together as they arrived for the photocall
Twirl those feathers: Abbey smiled and posed at the photocall for Strictly and even gave the camera a twirl and a model pose in her eye-catching ensemble (right)
She's already dancing: Judge Darcey Bussell twirled along the red carpet for the photocall
Judge Darcey Bussell, 44, led the night's proceedings, happily twirling for the cameras to show off the tassels on her elegant pale pink floor-length gown.
But she had competition, of course, from presenter Tess Daly, also 44, who opted for a backless gown with a full-length black skirt and a gold sequinned front.
Her blonde hair was waved and worn in a side parting, in a nod to old-fashioned Hollywood glamour.
Statuesque: Tess Daly wears a gold sequined and black gown to the Strictly Come Dancing launch night
It's normally the dancers who have the most extravagant outfits, but Tess Daly added some sparkle to her look at the Strictly Come Dancing launch night.
The TV presenter wore a gold sequined and black gown which showed off her slim back as she arrived in a vintage car with co-host Sir Bruce Forsyth.
Arm-in-arm, Tess, 44, and Bruce, 85, set the formal standard as celebrities arrived for the dancing competition opening TV special.
Sparkly: Sophie Ellis-Bextor was also sequinned to the max her sparkly frock and silk dress
No murder on the dance floor here we hope: Sophie Ellis-Bexter looked stunning in her sequined dress at the photocall
Other stars in this year’s line up include newsreader Susanna Reid, singer and DJ Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Countdown’s Rachel Riley and Bond girl Fiona Fullerton.
TV bosses hope the latest series, the 11th, will emulate the phenomenal success the show enjoyed last year, when it trounced X Factor in the ratings.
Sophie looked stunning in her cream silk tulip dress embellished with jewels and sequins on top and across the strappy back.
She arranged her long brunette locks into a top knot bun and kept the outfit simple wearing just a pair of strappy gold heels.
Twirl for us Deborah: The Dragons' Den star looked fabulous in her 1920s gown with classic glamour waves in her hair
Dressed to kill: Bond girl Fiona Fullerton was dressed to impress in her apricot sequined gown, complete with tassels, accompanied with a pair of strappy heels and Hollywood curls
Simply stunning: Rachel Riley from Coundown looked mesmorising in her white frilly frock
Other celebs included Dragons' Den's Deborah Meaden in glitzy 1920s shift dress and apricot shawl whilst former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton dazzled in a similar 1920s style outfit complete with hanging tassels.
Countdown mathematician Rachel Riley twirled for the cameras in her her cute A-line dress whilst similarly BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid posed for the cameras in a silver A-line dress as her brunette locks tumbled over her shoulders.
This year’s celebrity contestants pulled out all the stops too, hoping to make their mark before the series begins on Saturday, when their dance partners will be revealed.
Sequin parade: BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid was also dressed to impress in her silver frock embellished with sequins
Vanessa Feltz also went for gold, in a low-cut dress fringed with sequins and was accompanied by fellow contestant Julien Macdonald, the designer.
The full line-up was revealed earlier this week as Miss Daly admitted producers were finding it harder and harder to find contestants.
She said: ‘We never thought it would last this long and I don’t want it ever to end, but the celebrity pool is getting smaller.
'We must have gone through 150 and we pride ourselves on a higher class of contestant. We have standards to maintain.'
Loving the limelight: Vanessa Feltz gave the cameras a huge smile as she arrived for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios, London
Tess Daly kicked off the launch, held at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, in an open-top vintage car with her fellow presenter Sir Bruce Forsyth, 85.
Dancer Ola Jordan did her best to outshine both Miss Bussell and Miss Daly, somehow managing to
With just a simple gold band on her wrist and matching dangling earrings, Daley finished off her metallic look with a pair of peep-toe heels that shined from under her black skirt.
Slim pickings: Tess showed off her trim back in the elegant gown on Tuesday night
Glowing: Tess swept her hair into a side-parting and opted for a muted make-up design to enhance her skin's radiance
Dynamic duo: Sir Bruce Forsyth poses with his presenting partner-in-crime at the red carpet extravaganza
Smooth arrival: Tess and Bruce rolled up in a vintage car to the Strictly show at Elstree Studios
Sir Bruce was his usual dapper self in a classic tuxedo, as was Bruno Tonioli and Len Goodman, but of course the female judge and contestants didn't disappoint.
Darcey Bussell showed off her flapper full-length gown by giving the photographers a twirl at the red carpet extravaganza.
She paired the silvery dress with some diamond jewellery and peep-toe shoes in a matching metallic shade. 
They're all at it! Brucey starts stripping off too as the contestants arrive to the opening ceremony
Shimmering: Darcey Bussell also opted for a metallic gown, paired with diamond jewellery and a neutral lip colour
Model pose: Abbey Clancy smoulders in her sequin and feathered dress
Glamorous: Metallic was the theme for all the dresses including Natalie Gumede's flapper-halter number and Fiona Fullerton's black fringed outfit
Cheesy couple: Vanessa Feltz and Julien Macdonald flashed their grins on the red carpet
The show spectacular introduces this year's contestants with their dance partners, as well as offering performances from previous champions Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace.
The first episode will on Saturday 7th September, with the live shows beginning after a few weeks' rehearsal.
Pimped out: Even Tony Jacklin's blazer was sparkled with sequins
Sophisticated: Golfer Tony Jacklin looks suave as he escorts news presenter Susanna Reid down the red carpet
BBC faves: Dragon's Den star Deborah Meaden and Hairy Biker Dave Myers chuckle their way onto the dancefloor
Murder on the dancefloor: Sophie Ellis-Bextor and Hollyoaks star Ashley Taylor Dawson look cool as they make their way into the studios arm-in-arm
Abbey Clancy, Ashley Taylor Dawson, Ben Cohen, Dave Myers, Deborah Meaden, Fiona Fullerton, Julien Macdonald, Mark Benton, Natalie Gumede, Patrick Robinson, Rachel Riley, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Susanna Reid, Tony Jacklin and Vanessa Feltz are the celebrities competing in this year's BBC One competition.
Five new professional dancers have joined for the eleventh series which are Anya Garnis, Iveta Lukosiute, Janette Manrara, Kevin Clifton and Aljaz Skorjanec.
For the first time, viewers will be able to vote via the Strictly website as well as by phone and text.
Excited: Countdown star Rachel Riley and actor Mark Benton look cheery as they get ready to find out who their pro partners will be
Ready to roll: Ben Cohen arriving for the Strictly Come Dancing Photocall at Elstree Studios
Show time: Patrick Robinson looked dapper in a purple velvet jacket and white scarf for his moment in front of the camera
Suited and booted: Bruce Tolioni and Len Goodman share a joke as they reunite at the BBC event
Who let Len near the bar? The Head Judge makes himself more comfortable as he arrives at the Strictly launch
The pros: This year's crop of professional dancers look eager to meet their celebrity partners
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-2410593/Strictly-Come-Dancing-women-led-Abbey-Crouch-launch-night.html#ixzz2dsROzEsZ
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook
