STRICTLY Come Dancing is returning with a bang — and a huge musical tribute to Madonna.
I’m told the BBC is going all out to give this series an extra sprinkling of magic as it ushers in a new era in just over two weeks.
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Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe will be taking over the reins as hosts for the first time.
And the professional dancers have been tasked with putting on some huge group numbers, including the Madge tribute, which I’m told will be the best performance fans have seen in years.
My waltzing whisperer told me: “Strictly has paid homage to Madonna and it truly is spectacular.
“The dance was recorded a few days ago and it is a Madonna mega-mix, taking in some of her most career-defining songs.
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“New professional dancers Aleksandra Isaeva and Lethabo Monametsi are front and centre, and alongside the other female pros they are all transformed into Madonna through the years.
“Lauren Oakley, Jowita Przystal, Dianne Buswell and Alexis Warr all have iconic moments that will go down a storm.
“The BBC knows there are a lot of eyes on this new series and it’s really upped the ante with the group dances.
“It’s similar to what it did with the tribute to Britney Spears during Icons Week last year, if not better.”
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Now that is saying something.
The Beeb’s clip of the professionals’ Britney routine has been watched omore than 5million times on YouTube and social media, and is one of my favourite group routines in Strictly history.
All the stars of this year’s series, including Delta Goodrem and Dani Dyer, are now locked in rehearsals.
But there is one celebrity who is under pressure to impress.
Actress Jaime Winstone is being watched over by her dad, hardman screen favourite Ray, who revealed he was baffled when she signed up.
At the Bvlgari Hotel in Knightsbridge, during the Esquire Sessions live chat event, Ray said: “When she told me she was doing it I was like, ‘What are you doing that for? You don’t want to be a celebrity. You want to be an actress’.
“She said, ‘Dad it is different today. That is the way in, it’s how many things you have got on your f***ing Instagram and all that’.
“It’s a different world. But I think Jaime is so brave.
“You are really vulnerable and you put yourself out there, you know? It is hard work. That’s graft. I am very proud of her for doing it.
“I might have to give it a go.”
Now that I would love to see.
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CELINE DION is in the mood for dancing having arrived in France ahead of her eagerly awaited residency.
The French-Canadian superstar will kick off her huge run of shows at the Paris La Defense Arena in nine days.
She was spotted cutting some shapes after leaving her hotel in the French capital and headed to rehearsals.
These shows are the first full concerts Celine has performed since she was diagnosed with Stiff Person Syndrome four years ago.
Her team is going all out to celebrate the moment. Tomorrow, Celine will celebrate the 30th anniversary of her Live à Paris album by releasing it on vinyl for the first time.
It was recorded at Le Zenith in 1995 in front of 6,000 fans and the new vinyl edition features an eight-page booklet with lyrics and photographs.
Danny’s restarter for 10
DECEMBER 10 singer Danny Bretherton is poised to return after a two-month break to help his mental health.
He joined Hendrik Christoffersen, Cruz Lee-Ojo, John Fadare, Josh Olliver, Nicolas Alves and Sean Hayden – at rehearsals in London on Tuesday.
Danny stepped back ahead of the European leg of December 10’s tour this summer, missing out on their festival debut at Reading & Leeds last weekend.
A source said: “He took some time out to focus on his mental health and to get back to feeling his best.
“He’s had two months off and feels great. They have all been so respectful of his decision.
“For now, he loved seeing his bandmates again. The future feels very promising.”
TAYLOR SWIFT’s other half Travis Kelce hailed Adam Sandler “the best f***ing person on this planet” after he got specially ordained to officiate at their “intimate” New York wedding in July.
The NFL player said the comic gave them “more than we could have ever imagined, knowing it was the biggest night of our lives”.
Jake: My battle for Alamo
JAKE BUGG has spoken of the “struggles” that led to his new album, Alamo.
The 11-track record – his seventh – will be released on November 13 and features new single, Never Can Tell.
Jake said: “After all the years of touring and making records, it just felt like the right time to look inward.
“The last couple of years have been tough for me and I’ve had a lot of struggles.
“Alamo was only going to work if I was to be honest as possible.
“I’ve always had a lot of defences and barriers around me – I thought it was time to bring those down.”
Jake will also hit the road next year with a stripped-back tour that kicks off in Manchester on February 6.
Tickets for the tour, which will also take in Edinburgh, Sheffield and Nottingham, go on sale next Friday.
Ellie’s Venetian blinder
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ELLIE GOULDING will mark the release of her new album in Italy, after touching down at Venice Film Festival.
The grinning singer arrived at her hotel in a water taxi ahead of the festival, which started yesterday.
Ellie will release I Know Too Much tomorrow.
Earlier this week she performed a stripped-back set in Kingston, South West London.
As well as performing a series of songs from her new record, including Misremember You and For Your Entertainment, Ellie thrilled us fans with favourites including Burn and Love Me Like You Do.
I’ll be bringing you all the best bits from Ellie’s album tomorrow.
Trust me, some will knock your socks off.
SAM FENDER and Olivia Dean’s Rein Me In has been named the biggest song of the summer with 69million streams between June and the end of August.
Official Charts revealed the huge number, with 621,000 of their 2.3million total chart units earned during the period.
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Ashley Fongho, Jamaal Shurland and Myles Stephenson, said it was a “great vehicle” for talent. Myles added: “I’d love to see it come back. A lot of people would be very happy.”