Strictly Come Dancing 2016 launch live: Watch Ed Balls strut his stuff as the celebrities match with their partners

It's time to find out this year's pairings and watch their first group dance

Sequins at the ready! This year's Strictly Come Dancing celebrities compete to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy (BBC)

It’s finally Strictly Come Dancing launch show day! Tonight will see the celebrities paired up with their professional dance partners before performing a group dance, during which we’ll get our first, long-awaited of glimpse of Ed Balls strutting his stuff. Stay tuned as we’re here bringing you all the action live.

• The star-studded celebrity line-up hitting the dancefloor
• Ed Balls confirms he is having a mid-life crisis
• Len Goodman reveals who he wants to replace him as judge
• BBC announces Ed Balls for Strictly in the only way it could
• Mary Berry reveals why she turned down Strictly
• Strictly professional dancers caught up in doping scandal

Last year’s Strictly winner, The Wanted singer Jay McGuinness, will be returning with his professional dance partner Aliona Vilani to perform on the launch show.

There will then be a two to three-week gap while the new celebrities train before the series kicks off properly (no confirmed air date as of yet).

Head judge Len Goodman will be joined on the panel for his final stint by Bruno Tonioli, Darcey Bussell and Craig Revel Horwood, with the judging only starting once the celebrities have nailed their first routine.

On your marks…get set…boogie!