The main business tonight, of course, is this year's pro-celebrity matchmaking. But we're also promised one last spin around the floor for reigning champions Karen and Carlos, plus group numbers by the class of 2026 and the five new pros.

No musical guest tonight. That will wait until the first results show, a fortnight tomorrow.

Not long now. What are our thoughts on? Lacking a little star power? Females stronger than males? Here's my insta-reaction when the cast was announced.

As is liveblog tradition, it's your weekly spotter's guide to what we're likely to see on-screen. Tick them off as you spot them! Take a drink for each! Celebrate Strictly's comeback with a tipsy kitchen disco!

Here are your 10 launch show predictions:

• You recognise approximately a quarter of the "celebrities" and will get some mixed up all series

• Craig Revel Horwood in surprisingly happy mood, which will sour next week when the low scoring starts

• Delighted female leaps into her male partner's arms, gets spun around and almost dropped

• Reigning champion Karen Carney advises this year's cast to "enjoy it, it goes so quick"

• Yelps, whoops and wolf whistles greet the new pros

• Obvi-gag about Gavin & Stacey/dragons/hairdressing/dog-training during celebrity intros

• Shirley and Anton are regally billed as "Queen of Latin" and "King of Ballroom" respectively

• Celeb is "looking forward to being Strictly-fied", meaning dipped in lobster bisque emulsion and rolled in glitter

Hello all. Technical gremlins beyond my control mean that comments aren't open currently. Rest assure I'm trying to rectify this and hopefully they'll open soon.

There's been quite a cull of the professional ranks, with a quarter of the troupe replaced. Gone are (the show's longest-serving female pro, sadface), , , and (whose role judging the Spanish edition reduced his presence last year anyway).

In come five spanking new pros: namely , , , and. Try reeling off those without any typos. Will they get celebrity partners straight away? Will and , who were both benched last year?

Just one of several intriguing subplots tonight. It's 15 minutes until the rhinestone clapperboard comes down…

Like many elements this year, the pairing-up process has been revamped. For the first time, the celebrities will discover the identity of their pro partners in front of a studio audience, via three specially-choreographed dance routines.

It's been described as "speed dating meets roulette" in a launch show which "features more dancing than ever before." The 15 celebs will split into three groups of five and dance with the pros, switching partners at regular intervals until the routine stops and they see who they're left with.

A grown-up game of musical statues. Jelly and ice cream for afters. It's 20 minutes until the glittery curtain comes up…

Nobody likes change on their favourite TV shows but needs must. Tonight's proceedings will be overseen for the first time by all-new hosts, representing Strictly's biggest ever shake-up.

As the trio told me in our exclusive interview, they came through a cloak-and-dagger casting process which lasted several months and their chemistry in screen tests was apparently "off the charts". Producers haven't played it safe by replicating the Tess-and-Claudia dynamic. It's a risky roll of the dice which will be fascinating to watch.

Series occasionally work well with a three-headed hosting hydra - think Blue Peter, Top Gear, Match Of The Day or The Last Leg (starring a certain Mr J Widdicombe) so let's see how Strictly's effervescent throuple settle in.

It's 25 minutes until the clock strikes sequins…

Strictly is back, back, back! Almost as importantly, so is our sequin-spangled liveblog. Good evening all and welcome to the 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing. I'm Michael, your virtual dance partner from tonight until Christmas. I hope you'll join me for another life-affirming autumn of glitz, glamour and giddy entertainment.

It's all change beneath the glitterball. After long-serving, much-loved presenters and bowed out at Christmas (sob), a new hosting line-up was needed. The BBC surprised us all by replacing them with not one, not two, but three fresh faces: safe-pair-of-hands , wild card comedian and professional dancer to provide hoofing expertise.

Yes, it now takes three to tango but don't expect like-for-like Tess 'n' Claud substitutes. They'll be swapping places and switching between roles during each show. How will it work? We're finally about to find out.

This evening's sees our 15 celebrities paired with their - and even that process has been revamped. More on that shortly. This will be followed by our first glimpse of their twinkle-toed potential as everyone hits the Elstree Studios floor for the traditional curtain-raising group dance. We'll also meet the and welcome back reigning champions and for a triumphant last dance.

For the first time in a few years, it's been a scandal-free build-up to this year's series. However, it's a huge night for Strictly in other ways. Tonight might not be broadcast live - this launch show was filmed last week - but it's our first chance to see if the ballroom blockbuster can keep its sparkle in a new choreographic chapter.

It's showtime at 7.25pm on BBC One. I'll be , providing build-up, rolling coverage, reader reaction and twinkle-toed asides. So dust off your dancing shoes and see you on the sofa. Strictly season is upon us. Next stop Blackpool, then it's all downhill to mulled wine and Quality Street.

As ever, I'd love to too. You can @michaelhogan, contact me on Bluesky or Threads @michaelhogan100, michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is back open for ballroom business. I'll rumba-walk down there every now and again to wave hello and gauge your reaction to the show, so please do share your thoughts.

After nine months of rest, let's stretch our hamstrings and flex our typing fingers. Nearly time to staaaaaart pro-celebrity pairing!