Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Who is in the semi-finals?

The Glitter Ball trophy is within reach as the Strictly Come Dancing semi-final is this upcoming weekend. So who made the semi-finals?

Competition is getting fiercer each week, with the celebrity star's dance experience under great scrutiny as we head towards the final.

In particular, the focus has been on the talented Layton Williams and his previous dance experience – with former stars revealing their verdict on his ability. Despite his incredible talent, he was in the dance off this weekend with many commenting on his dance experience.

The latest series of Strictly is on every week on BBC One and available to watch on catch up on BBC iPlayer, the first series to debut following the death of former judge Len Goodman in April 2023.

Read more: All the winners and finalists of Strictly

Here’s everything we know so far about Strictly Come Dancing 2023. We can't wait to see who will win Strictly and lift the glitterball trophy.

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 start?

The first live show aired on BBC One on Saturday, 23 September from 6.15pm, and will continue until the grand final on Saturday, 16 December.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 couples

These are the couples who have made the semi-finals...

Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

The 2023 season's same-sex couple is between West End star Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin, the pro was previously paired with Ellie Simmonds and Tilly Ramsay on the show.

Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell

Bobby Brazier is stepping onto the dancefloor with Dianne Buswell, and she previously came in second place with her partner Joe Sugg in 2018.

Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe

Former professional tennis player Annabel Croft is taking to the dancefloor with Johannes Radebe, who was previously paired with Ellie Taylor in 2022 and was runner-up with John Whaite in 2021.

Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola

Actor Ellie Leach is paired with Vito Coppola, the pro was a runner-up with his first dance partner Fleur East in the 2022 series.

Eliminated couples

Nigel Harman and Katya Jones

There was no dance off in the quarter finals after Nigel Harman was injured and unable to continue in the competition with his partner Katya Jones.

Jones was famously paired with Seann Walsh in 2018 and has previously been paired with politician Ed Balls, boxer Nicola Adams and footballer Tony Adams.

She lifted the Glitterball Trophy with Joe McFadden in 2017.

Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu

Angela Scanlon and her professional partner Carlos Gu were voted out just narrowly missing out on the semi-final and final.

The judges had chosen to save Layton Williams in the dance off.

Carlos previously danced with Molly Rainford in 2022 and reached the final.

Angela Rippon CBE and Kai Widdrington

Angela Rippon went out after dancing in Blackpool with her partner Kai Widdrington.

Widdrington previously appeared on the programme with AJ Odudu and Kaye Adams.

He narrowly missed out on going to the final in his first year with a celebrity partner, but sadly Odudu suffered an injury that meant she had to pull out of the competition in 2021.

Krishnan Guru-Murthy and Lauren Oakley (eliminated seventh)

Newscaster Krishnan Guru-Murthy was paired with Lauren Oakley. It marked the first time that Lauren has been given a dance partner on the show since she joined in.

Unfortunately the couple just missed out on the iconic Blackpool's Tower Ballroom.

Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk (eliminated 6th)

Actor Adam Thomas learnt to dance thanks to his professional partner Luba Mushtuk.

Mushtuk hasn't had a partner for the past two series but was previously paired with Jason Bell and James Cracknell.

Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima (eliminated 5th)

Former Love Island star Zara McDermott was partnered with Graziano Di Prima, who was previously partnered with Kym Marsh in the 2022 series.

Di Prima has not won the show with one of his celebrity dance partners yet.

Amanda Abbington and Giovanni Pernice

Sherlock star Amanda Abbington was performing alongside Giovanni Pernice, who previously won the series with Rose Ayling-Ellis for the 2021 edition of the show. However, she exited the show in October citing health reasons.

Pernice was paired with Richie Anderson in the 2022 who was eliminated early in the competition.

Les Dennis and Nancy Xu - Eliminated first

Les Dennis appeared on the show with Nancy Xu, who has been paired with Rhys Stephenson and Will Mellor in the past. They were the first couple to leave the series after the second live show.

Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez - Eliminated second

Radio presenter Nikita Kanda and her partner Gorka Marquez were the second pair to be eliminated.

Marquez was paired with Helen Skelton in 2022 and has been partners with Maisie Smith and Alexandra Burke in the past – with all three reaching the final of their respective series. Sadly, Marquez couldn't repeat his magic, and they were eliminated second.

Jody Cundy CBE and Jowita Przystal — Eliminated third

Paralympian Jody Cundy was paired with Jowita Przystal, who won the series with Hamza Yassin in 2022, it was her first season with a celebrity dance partner. They were eliminating after week three.

Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer - Eliminated fourth

Eddie Kadi danced alongside Karen Hauer on Strictly, who is the longest-serving professional dancer on the line-up. She was previously partnered with Jayde Adams in 2022. They were eliminated in October.

Strictly Come Dancing professionals

There are four professionals who were not given a professional partner this year, South African dancer Cameron Lombard, Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas, Ukrainian dancer Nadiya Bychkova, and Neil Jones, who is four-time undefeated British national professional champion.

Amy Dowden has also had to pull out of this year's edition of Strictly following her breast cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Who are the judges on the new series of Strictly Come Dancing?

Sitting at the judges' table for this year’s series are the lightning-fast Craig Revel Horwood, the award-winning Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse, host of Let’s Dance Germany.

Together, they will be joined by The Queen of Latin, Shirley Ballas, as the show’s head judge.

As any Strictly fan will no doubt know, each of these adjudicators will have their eagle eyes locked on every misstep and foot out of place - making them very difficult to impress.

Who hosts Strictly Come Dancing 2023?

Returning Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are the familiar duo who have fronted the show and helped calm celebrity nerves since 2014.

Read more: Rylan quits Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two

Meanwhile, former contestant Fleur East joins new mum and ex-pro cast member Janette Manrara to host spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two.