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In Pictures: Strictly Come Dancing's Class of 2020

Take a look at the official makeover pictures of the 12 celebrities taking part in this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

There are now just two weeks remaining until this year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing finally gets underway.

After Miss Rona threatened to derail the BBC's flagship autumn series, producers have developed multiple safety measures to ensure that the show can go ahead, albeit with a few slight tweaks.

The 12 celebrities have already been confirmed and now, in time-honoured tradition, they have been given the signature Strictly makeover before they take to the dancefloor.

Scroll on to see how they look!



Bill Bailey

Bill Bailey on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "This is a world I don't know much about at all. I've been reading about ballroom dancing generally but it's all new to me.

"For me, learning the basics and then being able to pull off a coherent dance in the time we've got is a huge challenge which is why I've been reading about it.

"I want to know exactly what I'm getting into and I want to take it seriously and do as well as I possibly can for my dance partner too as they are being judged as well.

"They have got a tough job in turning around someone clumsy like me into something that can look like a dancer."




Caroline Quentin

Caroline Quentin on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "Until you're in the eye of the storm you don't really know how much people love something.

"I've been working with Elizabeth Hurley and she's more excited about [Strictly] than anyone I've ever met.

"She has told me so much information about the programme that I didn't know, past years and winners, what's happened and how to go about it. She and her son Damien have been extraordinarily supportive.

"In my local grocers, I got a round of applause when I went to buy some fruit!"



Clara Amfo

Clara Amfo on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "It's a strong group and there are definitely some dark horses in there!

"I reckon Jamie Laing is absolutely going to be one to watch, 100%! I can only imagine how frustrating it must have been for him last year!

"You are absolutely going to come back with fire in your belly. So I think Jamie is definitely one to watch for sure."



HRVY

HRVY on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "My nan is buzzing, she left me countless voicemails just saying how excited she is.

"She's always been such a big fan of the show so I feel like this is going to be a big proud moment to watch me on TV every week. She's going to love it!"



Jacqui Smith

Jacqui Smith on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "Having tried to put on fake tan each summer and have it go all streaky I'm very much looking forward to a proper spray tan which I've never had before.

"Everybody knows that the wardrobe and makeup people on the Strictly team are absolutely fantastic so having them look after me is going to be absolutely amazing."



Jamie Laing

Jamie Laing on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "For me it's one of the shows that we all grew up with. Honestly, it makes my mum proud that I'm doing it and I've never made her proud before so that is literally one of the big reasons!

"I came out of it last year and obviously like most people I hate failing at stuff and it definitely felt like I failed last year so this is the time to really go for it."



Jason Bell

Jason Bell on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "I wanted to take part because it made me nervous. At some point, I've always challenged myself - sports has forced that - but when I retired and went off and did other ventures, everything I was scared of, I took that challenge on and I've learned something from it.

"I've learned about myself and how I operate.

"Having to learn a new skill and compete and be judged by the best; it's a lot of pressure and I think I'm gonna really hone in some skills that I didn't know I have yet."



JJ Chalmers

JJ Chalmers on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "I live to put myself outside my comfort zone and to make sure that I'm always trying to become the best version of myself that I possibly can.

"The types of opportunities and things which I've had in the past, learning to scuba dive or going to Afghanistan, for example, they have been pretty extreme.

"But actually, they were inside my comfort zone because they were the kind of things I would do with ease.

"This is completely new and I plan on bringing the exact same mindset - giving it my absolute everything."



Maisie Smith

Maisie Smith on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "It's one of those things that you always wanted to do but you don't expect it to actually happen. So in my house there was a lot of shock.

"I hadn't told a great deal of people because I had to keep it so private so I could only tell a couple of my friends.

"We had been so excited holding it in so after the official announcement every single person was so excited for me. It's been a really happy vibe."



Max George

Max George on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "It's the show that my family all love and have watched for years.

"As this year has been a terrible one for a lot of people, I wanted to do something that would be fun and hopefully put a smile on people's faces on a Saturday night.

"I know it's going to be a massive challenge for me because I'm not a dancer and it's something that I never really thought I'd do.

"Now I'm actually doing it, I'm just really excited. I can't wait to meet my dance partner."



Nicola Adams

Nicola Adams on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "It means a lot to me. I think it's a brilliant step in the right direction especially on the diversity side of things.

"And women actually dance with women all the time in the professional circuit so I guess it's just showing people that it can be done."



Ranvir Singh

Ranvir Singh on the 2020 series of Strictly Come Dancing© BBC

Quote: "I just hope they've got really, really, really strong support underwear - that's all I'm concerned about.

"As long as they can hold it all in and make me look as streamlined as is magically possible - and Strictly is all about the magic - then I'll be happy.

"I'm not even sure I need to breathe. As long as I can hold my breath for three minutes or however long the dance is - have St John Ambulance on the sidelines for fainting through lack of oxygen!"



The Strictly Come Dancing launch show airs on Saturday, October 17 before the series proper begins a week later.


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