Tess Daly steals the spotlight in a stunning purple beaded gown as she joins chic jumpsuit-clad Claudia Winkleman to host the Strictly Come Dancing first live show

The live show has finally returned to our screens after two weeks of intense training, with 15 celebrities ready to battle it out for the coveted glitterball trophy.

But it was host Tess Daly who took centre-stage on Strictly Come Dancing on Friday night, as she dazzled in a shimmering purple column gown.

Stealing the Strictly spotlight in her beaded creation, the 48-year-old looked chic alongside co-host Claudia Winkleman who rocked a sharp black and white jumpsuit. 

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It takes Two! host Tess Daly who took centre-stage on Strictly Come Dancing on Friday night, as she dazzled in a shimmering purple column gown alongside stunning Claudia Winkleman

It takes Two! host Tess Daly who took centre-stage on Strictly Come Dancing on Friday night, as she dazzled in a shimmering purple column gown alongside stunning Claudia Winkleman

The blonde beauty showcased her incredible figure in the skintight sheath, which offset her glowing bronzed tan.

Letting her dress do all the talking, Daly styled her blonde locks in a simple side-parting and framed her features with minimal make-up.

Meanwhile, Claudia looked effortlessly glamorous in a fitted black Rachel Zoe Collection / fall 17 Elinor Pearl-Detail Halter Stretch-Crepe Jumpsuit with a stylish white trim that highlighted her tiny waist.

Pretty in purple! The blonde beauty showcased her incredible figure in the skintight sheath, which offset her glowing bronzed tan

Pretty in purple! The blonde beauty showcased her incredible figure in the skintight sheath, which offset her glowing bronzed tan

The BBC 1 contest's hotly-anticipated 15th season welcomes a fresh batch of 15 celebrity contestants, three new professional dancers and former international Latin star Shirley Ballas, who will make her debut as head judge following Len Goodman's departure last year.

Meanwhile, the Strictly contestants have told of their nerves and lack of sleep ahead of Saturday night's first live show.

Comedian Susan Calman and newsreader Charlotte Hawkins revealed they had endured somewhat sleepless nights hours before they take to the dance floor, while Loose Women's Ruth Langsford and actress Gemma Atkinson have told of the physical impact their nerves are having.

Two of a kind: Stealing the Strictly spotlight in her beaded creation, the 48-year-old looked chic alongside co-host Claudia Winkleman who rocked a sharp black and white jumpsuit

Two of a kind: Stealing the Strictly spotlight in her beaded creation, the 48-year-old looked chic alongside co-host Claudia Winkleman who rocked a sharp black and white jumpsuit

Calman posted on Twitter, at around 6.30am: 'Up early. Can't sleep. No idea why. It's not like I'm doing anything important today.'

Hawkins wrote that she had 'not much sleep' in response to a good-luck message from her Good Morning Britain co-star Ranvir Singh.

The Good Morning Britain host added that she might have to resort to showing off her legs to 'shock' people into being distracted from her moves.

Hawkins said that despite having had modern and ballet training in her youth, she has realised she is not as skilled as she thought.

Blonde bombshell! Letting her dress do all the talking, Daly styled her blonde locks in a simple side-parting and framed her features with minimal make-up

Blonde bombshell! Letting her dress do all the talking, Daly styled her blonde locks in a simple side-parting and framed her features with minimal make-up

The 42-year-old newsreader told The Sun: 'The worse my dancing gets, the more leg I'll have to show to distract everybody.

'I'm probably going to shock myself. I suspect a lot of people will be shocked too.

'But you have to throw yourself into it. I can't go on that stage as Charlotte the newsreader or Charlotte the mum. I have to pretend to be Charlotte Hawkins the dancer.

'I have to step into character. I have to step out of my comfort zone.'

Jump to it! Meanwhile, Claudia looked effortlessly glamorous in a fitted black jumpsuit with a stylish white trim that highlighted her tiny waist

Jump to it! Meanwhile, Claudia looked effortlessly glamorous in a fitted black jumpsuit with a stylish white trim that highlighted her tiny waist

Meanwhile Langsford told her fans in a video message: 'I'm so nervous - my hands are cold, my mouth is dry. I'm also excited, I've got the excited tummy.'

On Instagram, Atkinson shared a picture of herself with a dog filter over her face and wrote: 'Show day! Shaking like a s******* dog.'

Singer Alexandra Burke tweeted that she was embarking on a 'full gym workout' in order to try to get rid of her nerves, which she described in an earlier online message as 'unreal'.

Glamorous duo: Claudia and Tess looked sensational as they kicked off the action 

Glamorous duo: Claudia and Tess looked sensational as they kicked off the action 

Elsewhere, Sunday Brunch presenter Simon Rimmer appeared stunned that the day had finally arrived, as he posted a picture of his name on his dressing room door.

He wrote: 'So it's really happening @bbcstrictly.'

However, for former Communards star Rev Richard Coles, humour was on the cards in order to keep any nerves at bay.

He tweeted: 'I have started bringing my sewing to £Strictly in the hope that wardrobe will rebutton my clericals.'

Helping hand: Tess was there to comfort Alexandra Burke as she got emotional remembering her late mother after her first dance in the Strictly ballroom 

Helping hand: Tess was there to comfort Alexandra Burke as she got emotional remembering her late mother after her first dance in the Strictly ballroom 

Also taking to the Strictly dance floor after two weeks of intense training are pop stars Mollie King and Aston Merrygold, soap stars Davood Ghadami, Chizzy Akudolu and Joe McFadden, comedian Brian Conley, TV and radio personality Debbie McGee and Paralympian Jonnie Peacock. 

The first stage of the official competition comes two weeks after the spectacular live launch show, which saw the stars matched up with their partners for the first time.

It also featured a moving tribute to Sir Bruce and the return of last year's champions Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton who delighted the audience with a repeat of their famous jive dance.

Animated: Tess couldn't hide her feelings as the judges praised Alexandra for her performance

Animated: Tess couldn't hide her feelings as the judges praised Alexandra for her performance