Saturday, 7 September 2013

Ashley Taylor Dawson 'faints' with delight after bagging blonde beauty Ola Jordan as his Strictly Come Dancing partner

'I couldn't have a better teacher': Ashley Taylor Dawson 'faints' with delight after bagging blonde beauty Ola Jordan as his Strictly Come Dancing partner

PUBLISHED: 20:10, 7 September 2013 | UPDATED: 21:20, 7 September 2013

There's no denying she's one of the hottest professionals on the Strictly Come Dancing line-up.

But Ashley Taylor Dawson was so thrilled to have bagged a partnership with Ola Jordan on Saturday night's launch show that he promptly appeared to faint on the spot after hearing who he would be learning the ropes alongside.

The Hollyoaks actor dropped to the floor for several seconds, briefly alarming the BBC One show's co-host Tess Daly, while some audience members thought he had actually been taken ill.

Someone's happy! Ashley Taylor Dawson 'fainted' on Strictly Come Dancing's 2013 launch show when it was revealed he would be partnered alongside Ola Jordan for the series

Ever the joker! Ashley collapsed on the floor after he heard who he would be dancing alongside

Cute couple: Ola explained that all the competitive female dancers wanted Ashley to be their partner on the show

After bouncing back up, the 31-year-old star later told of his delight at being teamed with Polish professional Ola, who has already won the contest once in 2009 when she was paired with Chris Hollins.

More...

Telling Tess he was 'really happy' with his partner, he said: 'I couldn't have a better teacher and I know she wants to be the first one to win it twice.'

Judge Bruno Tonioli said of the pairing: 'Ashley, the bad boy and the sexy, sultry siren. It's going to be explosive.'

And it would seem Ola was equally thrilled, saying in a VT: 'All the female professional dancers are very competitive... and everyone wants Ashley.'

Perfect pairing: After bouncing back up, the 31-year-old star later told of his delight at being teamed with Polish professional Ola, who has already won the contest once in 2009 when she was paired with Chris Hollins

King and queen of Strictly! Ola is married to fellow professional dancer James Jordan

Ready for action! James is partnered alongside Vanessa Feltz for this year's show

The big reveal: Hosts Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly were on hand to reveal the partnerships for this year's show

Hoping for a miracle? Acid-tongued judge Craig Revel Horwood joked that James Jordan would be hoping for a 'miracle' after being paired with Vanessa

Meanwhile, Ola's husband James Jordan - also a dancer on the show - has been teamed up with broadcaster Vanessa Feltz.

Judge Craig Revel Horwood said: 'James will be praying for some kind of miracle or divine intervention.'

Tess Daly and Sir Bruce Forsyth introduced each of the 15 stars to their new partners, who will coach them and choreograph their dances over the coming weeks.

Anton du Beke, who has been known for his rather comic pairings after dancing with Jerry Hall, Nancy Dell'Olio and Ann Widdecombe in the past three series, is with actress and former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton this time around.

The tension is mounting! It was a nervous wait for the celebrities as they found out who they would be partnered alongside

Murder on the Dancefloor! Sophie Ellis Bextor was thrilled to be partnered alongside smooth mover Brendan Cole

Thrilled: Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede is with tough taskmaster Artem Chigvintsev

Jumping for joy! Artem whipped Natalie up into the air as they heard they would be partners

From the den to the dancefloor: Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden is being partnered alongside Robin Windsor

A match made in heaven: Countdown maths whizz Rachel Riley will be dancing with Pasha Kovalev, who has made it to the finals on each of the two series in which he has appeared

She said: 'I wanted him. I've said it about eight times in interviews.'

Singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor is paired with Brendan Cole, while Countdown maths whizz Rachel Riley will be dancing with Pasha Kovalev, who has made it to the finals on each of the two series in which he has appeared.

Dragons' Den star Deborah Meaden is being partnered alongside Robin Windsor, model Abbey Clancy will strut her stuff with newcomer Aljaz Skorjanec and BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid is with Kevin Clifton.

Ready for their rhumba! Model Abbey Crouch will strut her stuff with newcomer Aljaz Skorjanec

Belle of the ballroom: BBC Breakfast presenter Susanna Reid is with Kevin Clifton for the 2013 series of Strictly

Double-oh heaven! Anton du Beke, who has been known for his rather comic pairings after dancing with Jerry Hall, Nancy Dell'Olio and Ann Widdecombe in the past three series, is with actress and former Bond girl Fiona Fullerton this time around

Doting husband: Peter Crouch watched with pride from the audience as Abbey took to the dancefloor for the first time

Coronation Street actress Natalie Gumede is with tough taskmaster Artem Chigvintsev, and realises he will expect a lot of her.

She said: 'When we first met we were given a task and he told me how strict he was and that if we hadn't worked hard through the week then I couldn't be upset on Saturday night so he set out the stall.'

Fashion designer Julien Macdonald is paired with Janette Manrara, Casualty actor Patrick Robinson is to dance with Anya Garnis and Hairy Bikers star Dave Myers is teamed up with Karen Hauer.

Embracing the sequins! Fashion designer Julien Macdonald is paired with Janette Manrara

Let's hope it's not a Casualty on the dancefloor: Casualty actor Patrick Robinson is to dance with Anya Garnis for this year's competition

Above par! Strictly's 2011 winner Aliona Vilani, who had been dropped from this series but was recalled when Natalie Lowe was injured, is to dance with golfer Tony Jacklin

Strictly's 2011 winner Aliona Vilani, who had been dropped from this series but was recalled when Natalie Lowe was injured, is to dance with golfer Tony Jacklin.

The line-up is completed by former rugby star Ben Cohen dancing with Kristina Rihanoff, and actor Mark Benton performing with Iveta Lukosiute.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One with its first live show on September 28 as the celebrities battle it out in the hope of lifting the coveted Glitterball Trophy.