LET’S get ready to rumba because Strictly is back!

To celebrate the sparkling return of the BBC1 show to our screens at the weekend, we thought we’d being you some photos of Strictly stars out and about in Essex.

Our county has a reputation for doing well on the show. Among the county’s residents to have taken to the floor include Southend actress Kara Tointon, who tangoed her way to triumph in 2010 when she took the Glitterball trophy alongside dance partner Artem Chigvintsev.

Basildon’s Denise Van Outen rocked into second place in 2012 with partner James Jordan and Southend’s Rachel Riley made it to week 6 in the 2013 series.

Echo:

Our photo gallery shows stars from the show – both professionals and celebrities – in Essex. Reigning Strictly champ Ore Oduba and his dance partner Joanne Clifton are pictured during a recent visit to an antiques centre, Strictly stalwart Anton Du Beke is photographed chatting to WI ladies during a visit to the Crowne Plaza Five Lakes resort in Tolleshunt Knight, Maldon while cricket legend Phil Tuffnell, who competed in the show in 2009 is pictured during a visit to Lakeside Shopping Centre.

Our picture spread features memories of some of the show’s popular professional couples dancing on Essex soil including Vincent and Flavia in Southend, Karen and Kevin Clifton in Brentwood, Giovanni Pernice at a charity event in Colchester and last year’s new couple AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt dancing in Halstead.