GALLERY: Meet this year's Strictly Come Dancing contestants

The new series starts on Saturday 9th September!

Excitement is building for 2017 series of Strictly Come Dancing ahead of the show starting on Saturday 9th September.

Strictly Come Dancing first aired in 2004 and this series will be the first without head judge Len Goodman who, after twelve years on the show, decided to make last series his last. Shirley Ballas will join the judging panel alongside Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.

So let's meet the celebrity contestants of Strictly Come Dancing 2017...

Joe McFadden

Joe McFadden is best known for playing the role of Raffaello 'Raf' Di Lucca in Holby City.

Mollie King

Mollie King was part of girl group The Saturdays releasing hits such as 'What About Us' and 'All Fired Up'.

Ruth Langsford

Ruth Langsford presents This Morning and was the third celebrity to be revealed for the 2017 series.

Jonnie Peacock

Jonnie Peacock, MBE, is an English sprint runner who won gold at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Paralympics.

Davood Ghadami

Davood Ghadami is mostly known for his role as Kush Kazemi in EastEnders and has also starred in TV shows such as The Bill and Law & Order.

Debbie McGee

Debbie McGee is the widow of magician Paul Daniels, and starred as his glamorous assistant during his routines.

Gemma Atkinson

Gemma Atkinson now hosts the Key 103 breakfast show and was previously on Emmerdale playing the role of Carly Hope.

Rev Richard Coles

Rev Richard Coles was an 80s pop star who had hits 'Don't Leave Me This Way' and 'Never Can Say Goodbye' with his group The Communards.

Brian Conley

Brian's career has spanned over the last 40 years after he landed his big break on The Brian Conley Show, coining his catchphrase 'It's a puppet!'.

Alexandra Burke

Alexandra Burke won The X Factor in 2008 and released two top 20 albums. She also released a number of singles which hit the top spot including 'Bad Boys'.

Chizzy Akudolu

Actress Chizzy Akudolu has starred in shows such as Holby City, Hollyoaks and The Inbetweeners.

Aston Merrygold

Aston Merrygold had many hits with his former group JLS, including 'Beat Again' and 'Hottest Girl in the World'.

Simon Rimmer

Celebrity chef and co-presenter on Channel 4's Sunday Brunch, Simon Rimmer, was revealed as the seventh contestant.

Susan Calman

Scottish comedian and TV presenter Susan Calman admitted she hasn't worn wear a dress and heels since she was 17-years-old.

Judges

The Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas, Darcey Bussell, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood.

Strictly Come Dancing contestants 2017

The contestants for Strictly Come Dancing 2017.

Who's your money on?

This year's contestants appeared at the glitzy red carpet launch night last month. See all of the photos from the launch right here.

We caught up with last year's champion Ore Oduba and his dance partner Joanne Clifton at the 2017 TV Choice Awards earlier in the week.

The pair told us their predictions for this year's show and explained who they think will excel on the dancefloor.

Watch the interview below:

Strictly Come Dancing starts at 7pm on Saturday 9th September.