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Strictly Come Dancing contestant HRVY set to take to the floor with dance partner Janette Manrara as live shows kick-off

Strictly Come Dancing contestant HRVY is "buzzing" to perform tonight with his new dance partner as the live shows get under way.

The singer and Youtube star, real name Harvey Cantwell, from Hartley, near Gravesend, is one of the 12 contestants in this year's line up.

HRVY will feature as part of the 18th series of Strictly Come Dancing. Photo: BBC/ Ray Burmiston
HRVY will feature as part of the 18th series of Strictly Come Dancing. Photo: BBC/ Ray Burmiston

It was confirmed the 21-year-old was to be partnered up with professional dancer Janette Manrara at last week's launch show, which aired to an average of 8.6 million viewers.

The pair appeared on BBC Breakfast this week where it was revealed HRVY was being put through his paces as part of a tough "early morning" training regime.

He said: "It's been really good. It's been a lot of hard work and quite tiring as well.

"Quite early mornings, I won't lie – I'm not the biggest early morning person but Janette has made it easy for me."

There were several big changes to the format this year as a result of the current Covid-19 restrictions.

Strictly Come Dancing contestant HRVY has been partnered with professional dancer Janette Manrara for the new series. Photo: BBC/Guy Levy
Strictly Come Dancing contestant HRVY has been partnered with professional dancer Janette Manrara for the new series. Photo: BBC/Guy Levy

Each couple has formed a bubble to limit contact with others and in the studio dance pairings will perform to a socially distanced audience.

HRVY's place at the live shows was threatened earlier this month after he contracted coronavirus and had to self-isolate but he has since recovered and has been cleared to participate.

During the highly-anticipated pre-recorded launch show, HRVY told co-host Tess Daly: "I can't believe I made it this far. I am fine - I did test positive for coronavirus but I isolated with my family and we followed the government guidelines and I am here! So I'm buzzing."

Earlier this week, his dance partner Janette gave a sneak peak into their rehearsals in her YouTube diary “Talks With Janette”.

The 36-year-old said: "We've been dancing for a whole week already. He is amazing ­– I'm absolutely in love with him already, we have the most fun in rehearsals.

"We've had some funny incidents already."

HRVY and his dance partner Janette Manrara will perform for the judges for the first time tonight. Photo: BBC/Ray Burmiston
HRVY and his dance partner Janette Manrara will perform for the judges for the first time tonight. Photo: BBC/Ray Burmiston

The pop star confessed he was a "sweaty mess" after completing the first day of training which included a jive routine.

He told the mini-series: "I love dancing so I'm enjoying every second of it. Two completely different dances but I love them both equally."

HRVY joins Caroline Quentin, Jason Bell, Max George, Ranvir Singh, Clara Amfo, Nicola Adams, Bill Bailey, JJ Chalmers, Jamie Laing and Maisie Smith in completing this year's Strictly line-up.

The first live show airs tonight at 7.25pm on BBC One.

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