Strictly Come Dancing 2016: Watch Ed Balls take to the floor for his first dance

The former shadow Chancellor took part in a group dance during Saturday's glitzy launch show

Ed Balls on Strictly Come Dancing (BBC/screengrab)

Ed Balls has made his long-awaited debut on Strictly Come Dancing despite a disappointing lack of sequins and glitter.

The former Labour MP and shadow Chancellor was paired with Russian professional Katya Jones during Saturday’s launch show before showcasing his dad-dancing credentials as part of the first group dance to “Shake Your Tail Feather” by Ray Charles and the Blues Brothers.

“I’m not wearing any sequins and no glitter, it’s all very classical,” Balls had said before the opener, but sure enough, he ended up rocking a shirt with vaguely sparkly stripes.

Model Daisy Lowe, Olympian Greg Rutherford, Birds of a Feather star Lesley Joseph and singers Anastacia, Louise Rednapp and Will Young are also among this year’s lineup, while Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly return to their hosting duties.

X Factor’s own Olly Murs and Rebecca Ferguson provided musical entertainment for the launch but the action only kicks off properly in three weeks time, when judges Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Darcey Bussell will cast their first verdicts on this year’s celebrities.

How long Balls will stay in the running remains to be seen but, as he said himself, he “does know what it’s like to be on the wrong end of a public vote”.

However, his appearance was well received in Westminster. Fellow MPs from across the party divide issued messages in support of Balls.

And, luckily, his wife approved as well

Balls and his partner Jones will now have to learn a dance routine, but their competition is stiff - it includes a former Olympian, gymnast and two pop stars.