Emma Willis has said presenting Strictly Come Dancing is a “genuine honour” as she opened the new series alongside fellow new hosts Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe.

The trio have taken over from long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down last year, with the first episode of the new series of the BBC dancing programme showing the celebrity contestants meet their partners for the first time on the dancefloor, rather than in a separate video.

Former Love Island winner Dani Dyer, who was forced to leave last year’s series due to injury, was among the first to be partnered as she was paired up with her former partner Nikita Kuzmin for a second time, the first time a pairing has competed in two series.

After being paired with Kuzmin, Dyer said: “Honestly, I’m just over the moon, so, so happy.”

Kuzmin added: “Same, I had, like generally tears of joy when that happened, and just to hear everybody’s cheer, hear the audience sing. Dani’s so happy, I was honestly hoping this was going to happen, but you never know.”

Other early pairings included EastEnders actress Lacey Turner and Vito Coppola; former Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey and Julian Caillon; actress Jaime Winstone and Carlos Gu; and Gavin And Stacey actress Melanie Walters and Aljaz Skorjanec.

Speaking during her introduction, Willis said: “It is our genuine honour to be here, and we cannot wait to spend the next 13 weeks with all of you.”

Radebe added: “It’s a brand new year in the ballroom, which means 15 new celebrities, 15 new partnerships, and four people they’re going to be desperate to impress.”

Willis then said: “Ok, we need to do this bit justice. Are we ready?”

The trio then collectively said: “Please welcome the judges.”

Judge Craig Revel Horwood described them with his catchphrase: “Fabulous.”

The launch show opened with a dance number from the professionals, judges and the new hosts.

After introducing the show, Willis said: “Never in a million years did I ever think I would get to dance with Strictly pros.”

Radebe added: “And I definitely never thought it would be the three of us standing in the spot.

Widdicombe interjected: “No, I’ll be honest, not many people did, Johannes.

“Why’s that got more of a laugh than I was hoping, but there we are, it’s a little bit overwhelming to be here, but we are so delighted.”

During the opening part of the launch show, the trio presented on the dancefloor and in the auditorium, which was nicknamed the “Clauditorium” during Winkleman’s time on the show, together.

In the auditorium, Widdicombe told Dame Sarah that she was the first Dame to compete on Strictly, before joking: “Mary Berry pulled out at the last minute.”

Five new professional dancers are also joining the show this year: Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.

After the opening dance performance, Willis announced: “This is Strictly Come Dancing.”