The first Strictly Come Dancing news of the year has arrived as the BBC has confirmed their flagship dancing show will return this autumn and has confirmed the 2023 line-up of presenters, judges and professional dancers.
The 21st series of the hit BBC One dance contest will see Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back in the ballroom overseeing proceedings each weekend as a host of brand-new celebrity contestants take to the floor in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Behind the judges' desk once again will be the acid-tongued adjudicator Craig Revel Horwood, Let’s Dance Germany judge Motsi Mabuse, NTA award-winning judge Anton Du Beke and The Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas who will return as head judge after there were some question marks over her future.
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Last month, when talks were ongoing, Shirley suggested she may never return to Strictly after trolls made her life hell. The 62-year-old shared how the onslaught of abuse during the last series left her "crying and emotional".
She said in an exclusive interview with the Mirror: "After the Strictly tour I decided to take a break from TV and re-focus on my own industry for a while, to protect my sanity. I’m fortunate I have two jobs, running parallel, so it was much easier to take a break from TV and look after myself and my well-being.
"Will I go back to Strictly? I always take one step at a time. I absolutely love the job. If it was just that, and there was nothing else surrounding it, I can’t think of a more rewarding job to do."
While Shirley will be hoping to be impressed alongside her fellow judges, on the dancefloor itself, viewers can look forward to seeing some of the most talented Latin and Ballroom professional dancers from all across the globe back on their screens.
Confirmed to return are Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, 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 Vita Coppola all take to the floor once more, promising viewers an abundance of spectacular routines.
The line-up reveals that dancer Cameron Lombard has quit the show two years after joining the line-up and performing in the ensemble.
It comes after reports Spanish-born Gorka, who now lives in Greater Manchester with his fiancee Gemma Atkinson, was set to quit the show after missing out on the Glitterball with Helen Skelton back in December. Gorka, and even Gemma, denied the claims after fans felt the dancer and former Blue Peter host Helen were 'robbed'.
In addition, Dave Arch and his wonderful band will once again provide the soundtrack to Saturday and Sunday nights all across the UK once plus there is so much more for viewers to look forward to, including unforgettable group routines, world-class music acts, theme weeks and of course the much anticipated annual trip to the iconic and much loved Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.
Sarah James, executive producer, BBC Studios commented: "Excitement is already building for the 21st series of Strictly and we are so lucky to have the best team in the business both on and off camera. Our amazing presenters, incredible panel of judges and world class professional dancers are ready to bring the sparkle back to your screens this Autumn. We can’t wait!”
Whilst the presenters, judges and professional dancers have now been officially confirmed, the Class of 2023 won’t be revealed until later this year, when they are dipped in glitter and made ready to start dancing. The BBC confirmed that further announcements, information and broadcast details regarding the 21st series of Strictly will be confirmed in due course.
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