Strictly judge Shirley Ballas has delivered her verdict on this year's contestants saying it's a "level field".
The head judge got the chance to see the 2025 class perform at the launch show, which was filmed on Wednesday (September 10), and said it showed that this would be a "competitive" series.
Opening up the BBC's Morning Live, Shirley shared: "For the first time I looked across and I turned to Motsi (judge Motsi Mabuse) and I said, this is a plain level field here, they're all of a similar level."
The star revealed the launch show was "spectacular" and that the celebs all rose to the occasion.
She said: "When I was going on to the show they were saying, 'I'm nervous, I'm nervous.' They got out there and they were giving it their all."
Shirley added that it was going to be a "very competitive season for sure".
"Yesterday I felt quite sorry for them backstage but no, when they got on there they were giving it the eye and swinging, a bit of shimmy shaking going on," she said.
"Even Craig (judge Craig Revel Horwood) was like, 'Oh my goodness this is going to be a very difficult season'."
The dance star also spilled about the set, teasing some changes for this year's ballroom contest.
"In my nine years of being on the show when I walked in yesterday and saw the set, it was absolutely magnificent," she said. "There was all sorts going on. You'll have to wait to watch it unfortunately, but even I had goosebumps all over me and the small, small changes yeah. I'm interested that the viewers spot those small changes."
Strictly's line-up includes reality star Dani Dyer, presenter Ross King, Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis and actress Alex Kingston. There has already been controversy ahead of the competition, when former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner walked out of a press event.
He later explained in a post on Instagram: "During one of the interviews, a journalist placed their phone on the table to record the conversation. I happened to catch a glimpse of the screen and saw numerous messages - not about Strictly, but about a personal story from my past.
"I've been through some difficult times in my life, which I've worked hard to move on from. In that moment, seeing it there caught me off guard. I felt it was best to step away and gather myself."