Laura Whitmore leads the cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2016 at glitzy launch night

LAURA Whitmore has wowed onlookers on the red carpet during the Strictly Come Dancing 2016 launch.

The Irish beauty stunned in a short yellow beaded backless dress which featured a red hem and a jewel-encrusted neckline.

With her blonde hair styled in waves around her face, the 31-year-old beamed as she made her way past the waiting fans and press.

Laura enjoyed a giggle and a dance with former Labour shadow chancellor Ed Balls, who twirled the presenter around before also enjoying a moment with model Daisy Lowe.

The brunette also looked a million dollars in a vibrant red dress which featured sheer material at the chest, highlighting the fact the 27-year-old was going braless to the event.

With jewelled panelling covering her nipples, Daisy grinned widely as she also flashed her pins thanks to the fishnet detailing on the skirt.

Not to be outdone by the new celebrity faces, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman also brought their fashion A-game to proceedings, with Tess, 47, showing off her slim physique in a midnight blue gown which featured cut out detailing at the shoulders and a metallic belt.

Meanwhile Claudia, 44, wore a strapless red column dress with her brunette hair styled in a typically tousled fashion.

Once the women had made way for the contestants, the 15 stars cut loose on the red carpet, with American singer Anastacia particularly having a whale of a time with her new friends.

The 47-year-old busted some moves with TV presenter Ore Oduba before striking a series of funny poses for the cameras and posing with Laura.

Olympic long jumper Greg Rutherford also looked in high spirits as he headed down the steps with Daisy, showing off his rib tattoo and toned physique through his sheer panelled shirt.

Having won bronze at the Rio Olympics earlier this month, the 29-year-old grinned as he danced around with the model.

Meanwhile singer Will Young escorted fellow pop star Louise Redknapp and newsreader Naga Munchetty past the waiting crowds.

The 37-year-old looked dapper in a double breasted beige suit, while Louise wore a pink flatter style dress with fringed skirt detailing.

BBC newscaster Naga, 41, gave Daisy a run for her money in her own red ensemble, which featured a beaded fringed shirt and cross over halterneck top.

Also wearing a vibrant colour was EastEnders actress Tameka Empson, 39, who wore a multicoloured mini dress featuring a green bodice before switching to a blue and pink beaded hemline.

She was joined on the red carpet by fellow soap star Danny Mac, who played Dodger Savage on Hollyoaks until last year.

The 28-year-old actor gave the women something to cheer about as he flashed his pecs in his open collared shirt.

Taking a slightly more modest approach was Judge Rinder, 38, who escorted Birds of a Feather actress Lesley Joseph down the red carpet.

The ITV star didn't go for as deep a V cut as Danny and Greg, but embraced plenty of sequins as he held hands with the 70-year-old.

For her part, Lesley showed it wasn't just the younger stars who could show off their figures, displaying her slim pins beneath the slashed skirt of her purple dress.

However it took the youngest contestant, Olympic gymnast Claudia Fragapane to be the one brave enough to flash a hint of midriff, giving onlookers a glimpse of her toned torso in her pink sparkly skirt and top.

As well as the celebrities, the judges also took to the red carpet, including Len Goodman, who announced earlier this year that this series of Strictly Come Dancing will be his last.

He was joined by Craig Revel Horwood, who looked dapper as ever in his tuxedo, Bruno Toniolo and Darcey Bussell, who showed off her flowing pale peach gown to full effect.

The show wouldn't be complete without the professional dancers who will train the celebrities, and while it's yet to be seen who will be partnered together, the pros brought out some showstopping moves to wow the crowds.

As they twirled and spun around the red carpet, the audience lapped it up, before the group posed for pictures showing off their stunning costumes.

Fans will have to wait until Saturday night to find out which professional dancer each celebrity has been paired with.

Strictly Come Dancing airs at 6.50pm this Saturday on BBC One.