A month ago, when I wrote about the multiple changes to this behemoth of a Saturday night entertainment show, I was very much on the fence about it all. So much was going to be different, it might not feel like watching the same show, and it just might not be for me anymore. Well, as always, in fact an annual tradition at this point, the launch show blew all that out the water, and we're fully back with an autumn dedicated to dance.

Three for two

The biggest hurdle to get over was the new presenters. Tess and Claudia were not only iconic, but something of a comfort blanket as the nights drew in. Replacing them was never going to be easy. The trio had said they didn't have specific roles (eg. presenter and chatter), and in my head I had cast Emma as the professional, Johannes with the empathy, and Josh with the jokes. That is how it came across but they also managed to keep it feeling equal, each taking a turn at various presenting segments and all doing a great job.

The only complaint I have is something that will work itself out over the next few weeks anyway. At the start of the show, they were so nervous, so grateful, almost cringingly embarrassed to be there... which is understandable, trying to fill those big shoes. I wanted them to own it, not be subservient to the show, but be able to bring their own personalities more to the fore. As the launch show continued, you could see they started to relax and get into it and they were already miles better by the end of just two hours screen-time.

Partner swap

A new twist for this year was pairing up the couples not only live on the launch show but also via the medium of dance. It was a mixture of musical chairs and speed dating, with professionals rotating between partners before landing on their chosen one. It sounded like it was going to be chaos... and it was. Aljaž said it was the first time he'd been on the dance floor and not felt like a professional doing his best work. Most seemed to enjoy it though, and we ended up with 15 satisfied couples.

I don't know many of the celebrities taking part this year, but we started getting to know them as they were paired up. Dani and Nikita were partnered together again after she missed out last year due to injury, and it was lovely to hear the crowd cheering when that was confirmed. Everyone wanted that to happen.

Super-fan Bethany told her fellow celebs a story about watching Nicola Adams and Katya Jones dancing together in a previous year, which went on to inspire her and help with her own coming out. Moments like that prove what an impact this show can have. And then her being partnered with Nancy, well, the gigglers are in town! Will was hilarious and self-deprecating, I loved him claiming that he and Dianne already have their own language and Dianne's slightly confused: "Do we??". He didn't do so well on the dance floor but I'm hoping she can whip him into shape as I'd like him to go far.

Premature predictions

There were lots of different personalities on show during the launch night, but the real story is what the celebrities can do with their feet. Katya said, of Irish ATC John, that she believes anyone can be a dancer, they are just waiting to be made into diamonds. If anyone else said that, you'd roll your eyes, but with Katya, she really can work miracles. So I think he's going to go far. I think Dani Dyer will revel in her second chance and make it to the final and if I had to crown a winner right here, right now, I'm going with Lawrence Robb - unfeasibly good looking, and a bit of a dark horse.

The Vito Report

My personal favourite Vito was paired up with Lacey Turner, and she immediately seemed overwhelmed by his puppy-dog eagerness. "We're going to dance a lot. We're going to eat a lot, I'm gonna be cooking for you. In between the cooking and the eating, we're of course going to dance." Priorities, Vito.

The Yellow Card

I have a personal aversion to yellow, so I'm going to be on the lookout for costumes or set pieces that upset me. Thankfully the launch show was free of all things yellow, muted colours for the celebs and the five new pro dancers were in bright red for their intro dance. This is a good start.

What They Do in Their Spare Time

When they were doing the speed dating partnering up, the hosts took turns to call it. Josh Widdicombe's "it's time to find out your partners" and "change partners now" had real Waltzer energy to it. I really expected him to break out a "scream if you want to go faster".

The couples are deep in training for their first dance and next week we'll get to see them hit the floor in anger (or joy or love, depending on the dance). It's always fun to see what stereotypical theme they have chosen for each celebrity... if there's no reference to Australia for Delta, I'll be very surprised!