Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens this weekend.
A whole new line up of celebrity contestants will don their dancing shoes and take to the floor as they show off their ballroom moves on the BBC show. It's been just eight months since Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice got their hands on the winner's Glitterball trophy.
They moved the judges and viewers at home with a powerful and emotional 'silent' dance - a nod to soap star Rose's deafness.
READ MORE: Loose Women's Kaye Adams waves goodbye before even starting on Strictly Come Dancing
This year marks 20 years of the show being aired. In a statement, the show said: “Dust off your dancing shoes, Strictly Come Dancing is back.
“The stunning 20th series returns, bringing glamour and show-stopping dancing back to Saturday nights on BBC One – and we’re extremely excited to be able to welcome an audience back to the studio for this year’s shows.”
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2022 start and how to watch
The show was originally supposed to premiere on Saturday, September 17, but was postponed due to the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the ten day mourning period for the United Kingdom. Instead, The pre-recorded launch show was broadcast on Friday, September 23 at 7pm on BBC One.
The first live programme will follow today, Saturday, September 24, on the same channel at 6.45pm. Viewers will also be able to watch all episodes after they are broadcast on BBC iPlayer.
As usual, the show is set to last for around three months, ending shortly before Christmas.
Strictly Come Dancing 2022 celebrity line up
The show began announcing which celebrities had been confirmed for the show back in August. The announcements were made one at a time, either on social media or on various daytime TV shows such as Loose Women. Here is the full confirmed celebrity line up ahead of the new season.
- Helen Skelton - TV Presenter
- James Bye - Actor (EastEnders)
- Hamza Yassin - Wildlife cameraman
- Fluer East - Singer
- Tony Adams - Former footballer
- Molly Rainford - Singer and actor
- Ellie Taylor - Comedian and actor
- Matt Goss - Singer
- Tyler West - TV Presenter and radio host
- Ellie Simmonds - Paralympic swimming gold medalist
- Jayde Adams - Comedian, actor and presenter
- Kaye Adams - TV Presenter
- Richie Anderson - TV and radio presenter
- Will Mellor - Actor
- Kym Marsh - Actor and singer
Strictly Come Dancing 2022 professional dancers
There will be four new faces joining the professional dancers on the show this year. They are:
- European cup winner Vito Coppola
- Chinese national champion Carlos Gu
- Former Under-21 British national champion Lauren Oakley
- Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas
Returning professionals are:
- Dianne Buswell
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Graziano Di Prima
- Amy Dowden
- Karen Hauer
- Katya Jones
- Neil Jones
- Nikita Kuzmin
- Cameron Lombard
- Gorka Marquez
- Luba Mushtuk
- Giovanni Pernice
- Jowita Przystal
- Johannes Radebe
- Kai Widdrington
- Nancy Xu
The Strictly 2022 judges
The panel for what will be Strictly's 20th series will feature professional dancer Anton Du Beke, as well as returning favourites Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse. Italian dancer and choreographer Bruno Tonioli will be missing from the panel as Anton takes his place.
Anton filled in last year, when Bruno was absent due to filming the American series Dancing With The Stars. Now, Anton has a permanent place on the panel this year.
Taking of the role change, he said: "Woohooo! This is BRILLIANT news. Everyone knows how much I absolutely love the show and I’m utterly delighted to be continuing as a regular judge. And I get to make the final again – now I know how Giovanni feels!”
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