The regulars return
The Strictly judging panel will once more be graced by head judge Shirley Ballas, plus Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are back presenting the main weekend shows, while former contestant Fleur East joins Janette Manrara to host weeknight sister show It Takes Two, following Rylan Clark’s departure.
All the Strictly theme weeks are back too: Movies, Halloween and Musicals. Plus the programme will be making its annual pilgrimage to Blackpool.
Dates for your diary
Tonight is the pre-recorded launch show, in which our 2023 class of 15 celebs meet their professional dance partners – and everyone puts on Oscar-worthy performances as they pretend that they got exactly who they wanted.
The competition begins in earnest next Saturday, September 23, and runs until the grand final on December 16.
Hello and welcome to a new season of Strictly
Hurrah! Saturday nights are glittery once again, as the ballroom juggernaut returns for its 21st season – and with one of the strongest celebrity line-ups we’ve seen in a long time. I’ll be with you every week, casting an eagle eye over every fleckerl and chasse, every peculiar costume, breakthrough dance, controversial score, and shock elimination.
Whet your appetite with the ultra-dramatic season trailer…