Kylie Minogue to open Strictly Come Dancing launch

17 August 2019

Kylie Minogue will open this year's 'Strictly Come Dancing' launch show.

Kylie Minogue

The 'Locomotion' hitmaker will take to the stage to perform a concoction of her hits - although her set list is not yet known - to beautiful routines choreographed by the professionals before viewers find out who the celebrities have been paired with.

There will also be musical performances from Academy Award Winner Mark Ronson and Grammy Award Winning American singer-songwriter YEBBA.

The launch show will also see new judge Motsi Mabuse make her debut on the judging panel alongside Bruno Tonioli, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas.

As well as sussing out the talent on this year's series, the judges will also take to the dance floor to perform an unmissable group number with the professionals.

The 2019 shows will once again be hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as they welcome the celebrities and their partners to the floor each week.

This year's series will see Anneka Rice, Dev Griffin, James Cracknell, Alex Scott, Jamie Laing, Will Bayley, Michelle Visage, Viscountess Emma Weymouth, Karim Zeroual, Mike Bushell, Catherine Tyldesley, Saffron Barker, David James, Chris Ramsey and Emma Barton go head-to-head to win the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

There will be a new dynamic on the programme this time around as Dame Darcey Bussell will no longer be on the panel and, instead, Motsi will take her seat.

Former head judge Len Goodman - who quit the programme in 2016 - recently said that Motsi may have a hard time winning over the public as she is the sister of 'Strictly' professional Oti Mabuse and people may accuse her of being bias.

The 75-year-old dancer said: "That's going to be the hardest thing for Motsi. Can you imagine if Oti is in the final two in the dance-off?

"Whatever decision she makes Motsi will get criticism. If she puts Oti through then people will say she's doing her sister a favour. If she votes her off they will say she didn't want to be seen to be keeping it in the family.

"I've been in a similar situation when I've had to judge pupils or former pupils in dancing competitions. All you can do is make the decision based on what you see and try to act with integrity. I'm sure Motsi will do that and if that means having to vote Oti off then that's what she'll have to do."