I can spot the winning couple at the Strictly launch show, says Tess Daly as she and Claudia Winkleman prepare for the new series

The STRICTLY stars will have their sights set on the Glitter Ball prize as the new series kicks off tonight.

But presenter Tess Daly thinks she can already identify the winner.

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The 15 contestants will be extra nervous when they step onto the dance floor for the first time.

Tess, 55, who co-presents with Claudia Winkleman, said: “The class of ’24 looks like a pretty exciting bunch.

“As a collective, I really can’t wait to see what they have in store for us.

“Sometimes I feel like I can tell the winner during the launch show because it’s clear they have the full package.

“But more often than not, like everyone else, I am surprised.

“I think you have to be a special person, not just a talent, to capture the imagination of the viewers and win the series.

“Not only must you have learned the necessary dance skills to show your talent, but you must also have won our hearts.”

Claudia, 52, on the other hand, claims she has no idea and is too busy preparing for the show’s launch each fall.

She said: “I really have no idea who’s going to win.

“Tess says the name and I find out together with everyone else. It’s a magical moment.

“I start getting excited in July. The fake tan really starts on September 1st and it doesn’t stop until Christmas.”

But Claudia admits that she still gets nervous when she hears the title song and she knows she has to push through and get to work with her co-star Tess.

She said, “I’m terrified and I’m pinching Tess on the arm and I love her for letting me do it.”

This year the duo is allowed to have a little fun and participate in the professional opening routine, but without actually dancing.

The pre-recorded show begins with the professionals travelling together in a multi-coloured bus to Elstree Studios, driven by returning dancer Aljaz Skorjanec.

It features a nod to the show’s beloved former host, Bruce Forsyth, with the license plate on the front of the bus reading “BRUCIE”.

But then the disco-on-wheels breaks down in the middle of nowhere and the gang have to call in help from a garage run by Strictly’s conductor, Dave Arch.

‘GLITTERY CLOTHING’

The name is apt: “Dave’s Repairs” and the slogan is: “Under the arches — come in for a service.”

His two faithful assistants in the garage are Tess, who answers the phone when the professionals send an SOS message they have made from a red telephone box, and Claudia, who ties up her hair and crawls on a vine under the cars, with her boss at her side.

Both temporarily exchange their usual glamorous dresses for red overalls with their own name tags.

But they will quickly switch back to their normal shiny attire for the remainder of the show.

Judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas all return to the series this year, with Craig now almost unrecognisable with a beard.

During the show, the celebrities, including comedian Chris McCausland, tenor Wynne Evans and host Nick Knowles, are paired with their female professional partners.

Also on the list are JLS star JB Gill, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, footballer Paul Merson, Towie star Pete Wicks, swimmer Tom Dean and X Factor winner Shayne Ward.

Meanwhile, female contestants singer Toyah Willcox, Gladiator star Montell Douglas, Love Islander Tasha Ghouri, hockey player Sam Quek, TV doctor Punam Krishan and Miranda actor Sarah Hadland are paired with their male pros.

They are all brought together for their first performance on the dance floor with the group number Dance Yourself Dizzy by the disco group Liquid Gold.

The dance competitions don’t start until next Saturday during the first live show.

Although the judges vote on the performances, there is no public vote, so no one leaves the competition until after the September 28 episode.

• Strictly Come Dancing starts tonight at 7.20pm on BBC One.

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Who has been confirmed for Strictly 2024?

WITH Strictly’s 20th anniversary special airing in September, The Sun takes a look at which celebrities have been confirmed for the new series: