Bury actress Gemma Atkinson makes her Strictly Come Dancing Debut tonight.

The former Emmerdale star and professional partner Aljaz Skorjanec will be doing their best to impress the Strictly judges on the big opening night.

The pair will be up against competition from 14 other couples including celebrity chef Simon Rimmer and Karen Clifton and one-time X Factor winner Alexandra Burke and her partner Gorka Marquez.

This season’s judging panel is made up of Craig Revel Horwood, Bruno Tonioli and Darcy Bussell, while Shirley Ballas, the former champion Latin dancer, replaces Len Goodman as head judge.