Yahoo News Strictly Come Dancing: Everything Fans Will Want To Know About The New Series
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Believe it or not, it really isn’t that long until Strictly season is upon us, as the nation’s favourite dance show returns for its 21st series later in the year.
With the countdown now on, there’s more and more information about the new season trickling in – here’s everything we know so far about Strictly Come Dancing 2023...
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 start?
As yet, there is no official date for the launch show or the commencement of the live shows.
However, going off the pattern of the last few years, fans can likely expect Strictly’s pre-recorded launch show – which see the celebs and the professional dancers paired up – to air on Saturday 16 September, with the live shows following each Saturday night from 23 September.
Who is hosting?
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly
Long-standing Strictly Come Dancing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are both set to return for the forthcoming series.
There had been tabloid speculation that Holly Willoughby was being eyed for an additional presenting spot on Strictly, amid claims the BBC is hoping to poach her from ITV following the recent drama over on This Morning.
However, none of the parties involved have commented on the reports.
Meanwhile, over on spin-off show It Takes Two, Ryan Clark announced his exit earlier in the spring after four years at the helm.
His co-presenter – former pro dancer Janette Manrara – will remain on the show and be joined by 2022 contestant Fleur East, with the pair splitting presenting duties between them.
NEWS: @Rylan is stepping down from hosting duties on #ItTakesTwo. Thank you Rylan for the last four years, continuing the sparkle of Saturday night throughout the week. You will be sorely missed by the entire Strictly family! ❤️ pic.twitter.com/EBeuLIDzU9
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) April 12, 2023
✨ It's OFFICIAL ✨ Fleur East will be joining Janette Manrara as the new co-host for @BBC’s #Strictly It Takes Two
Get all the info ➡️ https://t.co/6Ro1eer4Qtpic.twitter.com/rP8WqYRVAn— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) June 16, 2023
Who are the judges?
Anton du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood
The judging panel was the subject of much media interest earlier this year, after head judge Shirley Ballas suggested she was considering her future on the show after finding last year’s series particularly difficult due to online trolling.
Following this, reports claimed that the Strictly judges were holding out on an above-inflation pay rise before signing new contracts – something that was denied at the time.
Ultimately, the 2023 panel will remain the same as the last few years, with Shirley returning alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Who is on the Strictly 2023 line-up?
Josie Gibson, Bobby Brazier, Ade Adepitan and Emma Willis
The line-up is usually revealed in a series of official announcements from the BBC, which begin in the first few weeks of August each year.
As we’re still a little way off, there’s no confirmed names yet, but that hasn’t stopped the rumour mill from going into overdrive.
Among the names who have been rumoured for this year’s series include TV presenter Angela Rippon, This Morning host Josie Gibson, Wham! legend Andrew Ridgeley, Love Island star Zara McDermott, Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas, presenter Angela Scanlon and EastEnders stars Bobby Brazier and Priya Davdra.
Also rumoured are former Big Brother host Emma Willis and her husband Matt, who is one third of band Busted, West End performer and Bad Education star Layton Williams, former Coronation Street star Ellie Leach, Casualty regular Nigel Harman, sports presenter Ade Adepitan, Loose Women panellist Sophie Morgan, actor Amy Nuttall andx former footballer Jill Scott.
Check out the full list of rumoured names here.
Which professional dancers are returning?
12 of the Strictly Come Dancing professionals
The line-up of professional dancers remains largely unchanged from 2022, with Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola all confirmed to return.
Cameron Lombard, however, has left the show after two series, during which time he did not partner a celebrity.
Strictly pro Cameron Lombard has left the show
Amy Dowden was also confirmed to return as a professional dancer this year, but subsequently told fans that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer, for which she is currently undergoing treatment after undergoing a mastectomy.
She had previously shared her hopes to still dance on the series, and told The Mirror that Strictly was “leaving the door open” for her to return in whichever capacity she is able.
However, the former Latin champion shared that doctors have found “more tumours” and “another type of cancer”, meaning she will now undergo chemotherapy treatment and will not be able to compete on this year’s series.
In an Instagram Live interview with breast cancer charity Coppafeel, Amy admitted this had initially made her not want the treatment.
“For me, straightaway, it was my dancing. Like, ‘you can take away my boob but you can’t take my dancing away from me’,” she explained.
“That’s what I get really upset about.”
She added: “The oncologist did say that with chemo I’ve got a really good chance of a cure.”
Amy also praised the BBC for their support since her initial diagnosis, saying the broadcaster has “just been utterly incredible”.
She previously vowed that even if she required chemotherapy she would still “be present” in the Strictly studio “in some way”.
“Whether it’s on It Takes Two, or being up in Claudia’s area waiting for the scores, I’ll be there,” she insisted to The Mirror.
