Strictly Come Dancing 2019 stars pose for group photo as rehearsals begin

Rehearsals for Strictly Come Dancing are underway ahead of this year’s series.

The show – which is in its 15th year – is due to kick off with a red carpet launch on August 26.

Contestants for this year’s competition include Olympic medallist James Cracknell, 47, BBC Radio One DJ Dev Griffin, 34, and RuPaul’s Drag Race judge Michelle Visage, 50.

Visage posted a photograph of the contestants following a day of dancing.

She captioned the photograph: “Day 1 of [Strictly] rehearsals and we smashed it! Kinda…can’t wait for more! Love you all!”

The image comes after Strictly pros Neil and Katya Jones announced they had separated after 11 years together.

The couple, who celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary earlier this month, were thrown into the spotlight after Katya, 30, and her dance partner Seann Walsh, 33, were pictured kissing on a night out.

They later apologised, with Neil, 37, saying that he felt there was an “overreaction” to the kiss while appearing on Lorraine Kelly with Katya in March.

Representatives for the couple said the controversy over the kiss was not the reason for the split and the decision was made recently.

A spokeswoman added: “It would be incorrect and unfair to attribute their separation to one isolated incident.

“Many people make such a decision to separate when they realise that their relationship has become more of a friendship.

“They’re incredible close, they are still dance partners, will be dancing together and will work on joint projects together as well as being part of the Strictly team and will continue to give each other advice and support in any individual projects.”

Earlier today, Katya shared an image of herself in a costume for this year’s competition, without her wedding ring.

She captioned the photograph: “Ever wondered how I dress on Monday morning? Yeah… just a casual boring outfit.”