Strictly Come Dancing stars sparkle at red carpet launch

Peter Andre, Kellie Bright and Ainsley Harriott were among the celebrities trying out their first glitzy outfits for this year's Strictly Come Dancing.

They are among the 15 contestants who will be donning the sequins, sparkles and fake tan when the show returns to BBC One on Saturday.

At the red carpet launch event, Harriott, who wore a sparkly top hat and waistcoat, said: "It's not every day that you go to your wardrobe and pull something out like this, so to be part of Strictly - it's almost like dreaming about getting something at Christmas and then actually getting it."

Dressed in a blue dress with a full pleated skirt, EastEnders actress Bright said: "I feel like a little princess. I'm having a great time today. It's like having an amazing make-over - I wish I could have this done every day."

Stepping out on to the red carpet, the 15 celebrities showed off their new looks alongside the show's hosts, judges and dancers at Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, launching series 13 of Strictly.

Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo, dressed in a baby-blue sparkled shirt, commented: "This is very much out of my world, but saying that, the sequins, the shiny shoes - I could get used to this."

Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote said: "It's so sparkly! I was stood before, watching everyone on the stage, and I was like: So sparkly, so sparkly - I love it."

But The Wanted singer Jay McGuiness was less keen on his outfit, explaining: "I'm finding the sequins and the shininess a necessary evil. I do fight the studio a bit. When they go, 'Oh let's add a few more sequins!' I do definitely go a little bit quiet, hoping they know I'm uncomfortable."

The celebrities have already been in rehearsals for a group dance which they will perform on Saturday's show, before they are paired up with their professional dancing partners.

Ready Steady Cook star Harriott hinted that the Strictly cast could be in for a culinary treat if they continue to bond, saying: "I don't think I've invited them round for Sunday lunch yet, but who's to say in three or four weeks' time, if I'm still in, then yeah - why not?"

Andre said: "When you're thrown in you never know what's going to happen, and you don't know if there's going to be tensions. But we've all bonded so much, straight away."

Call The Midwife actress Helen George said: "It really doesn't feel like a competition or anything, it feels like a company. The girls have really bonded together, there's a nice little womanhood going on."