Strictly Come Dancing fans desperate for the new series of glittery outfits and sharp judges' putdowns have been forced to wait a bit longer after the new series debut episode was pushed back.
The launch of the 2022 series had been due to take place on Saturday September 17.
Following the Queen's death and the UK entering a period of national mourning, however, the BBC decided to put the date back until after the long serving monarch's funeral.
It means that the 20th season of the ballroom competition is scheduled to start a week later than first planned.
Ahead of the season premiere, here is everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing 2022, including details about the judges and stars of the show.
When does Strictly 2022 start?
The show will now begin on Friday September 23.
The first show, which was pre-recorded last Wednesday (September 7), will see the celebrities paired with the professional dancers.
And the live shows will begin on Saturday September 24.
Following the death of the Queen on September 8, the United Kingdom entered an official period of official national mourning.
As per government guidance, there was no obligation to cancel or postpone events or close entertainment periods during the period, with it instead left to individual organisations to decide how they wanted to pay respect to the sovereign.
BBC bosses decided it would not be appropriate to kick-start a fresh series of one of the nation's favourite shows when the focus was on saying farewell to the Queen after her 70 year reign.
Who is in Strictly 2022?
The 15 contestants for this year's competition have been announced and are raring to go.
Will Mellor
The first person declared was Will Mellor, best known for starring in Two Pints Of Lager And A Packet Of Crisps.
He said: “I’m honestly so chuffed to be taking part in Strictly Come Dancing this year!
“Not going to lie, it’s totally out of my comfort zone and I know it will be a huge challenge but that’s what life is all about.
“This is also my mum’s favourite show and she’s had a really tough few years so I’m doing this for her as well. Bring it on!”
Kym Marsh
The second star to be confirmed for the 2022 season was Kym Marsh, who first found fame as a member of Hear'Say, the band that formed on ITV ’s Popstars in 2000.
She is currently a presenter on BBC One’s Morning Live, though she is best known for playing Michelle Connor on Coronation Street.
She said: “I’ve considered doing Strictly for years but the timings never worked out. I’m so delighted that this year they have!
“I’m a huge fan of the show and can’t believe I’m going to go from watching at home in my pyjamas to actually dancing in front of the judges in a glittery dress, it’s unreal!”
Richie Anderson
The third contestant on the list is Richie Anderson, a presenter that is best known for his role on BBC Radio 2’s Breakfast Show with Zoe Ball, presenting the travel bulletins.
In May he travelled to Turin to cover the Eurovision Song Contest for the radio station.
He is also a regular presenter on The One Show and recently helped host the Platinum Jubilee coverage.
Richie said: “This is a dream come true! I cannot wait to get in those sparkles and sequins and shimmy across the most famous dance floor in the world!
"Strictly is the ultimate feel good show, as soon as I hear that iconic theme tune it’s just pure escapism. I’m going to have to cancel my legendary Strictly launch night kitchen party that I throw every year, I’m sure my friends and family will understand.
"It’s also a massive honour to be part of an all-male dance partnership, it’s so important we have that inclusion on such a huge show.”
Kaye Adams
Broadcaster and journalist Kaye Adams became the fourth contestant to join the Strictly 2022 line-up.
She is most widely known for co-presenting Loose Women, along with hosting BBC Radio Scotland's morning show.
Kaye said: "I said I wanted to make the last year of my 50s memorable and I can’t think of a better way of doing it than showing the world my two left feet. Pray for me!
"I can think of a million reasons not to do this and I can still think of a million reasons not to do this.
"But I thought, 'am I going to be thinking at the end of September I wish I’d done this'. I’m 59, 60 at the end of this year and I was like, 'Well, why not?' If I enjoy myself, I’ll be so happy."
Jayde Adams
Comedian Jayde Adams was number five to be announced as part of the Strictly 2022 cast.
She made her name at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival back in 2016 and has since appeared in TV shows such as Alma’s Not Normal and Good Omens.
Jayde said: "Since I watched the first series in 2004, I feel like every step I’ve taken in my career over the last 11 years was to be on Strictly.
"I cannot begin to express the emotions I am feeling, this means so much to me and my family.
"I’ve always watched it, apart from a brief hiatus in 2011 as I was relentlessly gigging every weekend (to try and get on Strictly). I’ve been a massive fan of the show for years.
"I feel like I’m watching myself in a dream and I can’t believe I’ve manifested this. Holding this in has been torture for me!"
Ellie Simmons
The sixth cast member is Paralympian and broadcaster Ellie Simmons, who secured herself four medals, including gold.
She was just 13 years old when she rose to fame during the 2008 Paralympic Games.
Ellie said: "Oh my gosh!! I’m literally bursting with excitement!! It’s been soooo hard keeping this secret as I’ve wanted to tell everyone.
"I’m going on Strictly Come Dancing!! I’m a tad nervous too, well more than a tad… I’m absolutely petrified!
"To be asked to be part of the Strictly family is just so exciting and I cannot wait, it’s going to so much fun.
"I’m counting down the minutes until it starts; learning to dance, meeting my partner and everyone else involved in the show. Plus wearing the sequins and all that, It’s going to be a blast.
"I’ve been watching Strictly from as far back as I can remember; it’s a traditional lead up to Christmas with my family and it’s a genuine privilege to be part of it."
Tyler West
The seventh member of the Strictly 2022 line-up is Kiss FM DJ Tyler West.
Tyler said: "I am SO gassed to be joining the Strictly family! As I started writing this I already got cramp.
"It’s going to be one crazy incredible journey which will no doubt be SO far outside my comfort zone.
"It’s a show that means so much to me and my family and I can’t wait to seriously shake a leg on that shiny dance floor… with a side of sequins."
Matt Goss
Matt Goss, one half of 80s boy band Bros, was the eighth confirmed contestant for Strictly 2022.
Matt rose to fame as one third of the When Will I Be Famous? pop trio alongside twin Luke and Craig Logan.
The 53-year-old told ITV's This Morning : "I’m excited, I’m nervous. You have the conversation and then you go about your day and you think, ‘I’ve got to dance’.
"I’m eating everything that’s favourable to Spandex. I’ve got to make sure it’s alright, I’m excited."
Ellie Taylor
Comedian and actor Ellie Taylor also made the cut for 2022.
She began doing stand-up comedy in her 20s and in 2011 was a contestant on ITV comedy showcase Show Me the Funny before appearing on panel shows including 8 Out of 10 Cats, Mock the Week and QI.
She played Gloria in ITV2 comedy series Plebs and co-presented Channel 4's Great Pottery Thrown Down.
“Well, cover me in fake tan and roll me in sequins! I'm absolutely over the moon to be a part of Strictly 2022," she said.
"At the moment I'm focusing on the excitement and glitter and choosing to ignore the fact that I have the dancing ability of a newly born giraffe. Bring it on!"
Molly Rainford
Molly Rainford is no stranger to Saturday night TV stardom — in 2012, aged just 11, she became the youngest ever finalist in Britain's Got Talent, blowing the judges away with her performance of One Night Only by Jennifer Hudson.
Since her BGT success, she has become a familiar face on CBBC, taking on the title role of the intergalactic pop star in the series Nova Jones.
“I'm so excited to be part of Strictly Come Dancing, I've watched it for years and can't wait to meet the pros and the others taking part," said Molly.
"I can't wait to learn the moves and get dancing!”
Tony Adams
Tony Adams was no dancer on the football pitch, known instead for his no-nonsense style of play for Arsenal and England.
He later opened up about his battle with booze during and after his playing career.
“To say I’m excited is an understatement — the lure of the sequins and the call of the salsa has me swapping my battered old football boots for a set of Strictly soft shoes," he said.
"I am absolutely thrilled to be giving it my all on this year’s 20th anniversary of Strictly Come Dancing. I can’t wait to meet my partner — god help her — and start the dancing.”
Fleur East
Singer and presenter Fleur East is another who knows her way round a reality TV set.
Fleur was runner-up in the 2014 series of The X Factor and in 2018 appeared in I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here!, finishing in fourth place behind winner Harry Redknapp.
Opening up about the family inspiration behind her Strictly appearance, she said: "It’s such an honour to be on the show after years of watching it with my father who loved it so much.
"Unfortunately my Dad is no longer with us but I know he will be watching over the ballroom in spirit.
"I’m doing this to make him and my family proud and can’t wait to get my dancing shoes on!”
Hamza Yassin
Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin made his TV debut as Ranger Hamza on CBeebies show Let's Go for a Walk, before joining the Animal Park team in 2021.
Away from the camera, Hamza has also participated in the Highland Games.
"My dance skills are currently at the level of ‘1970’s disco vibe’ but I’m ready to work hard and will be shaking it every time I get the chance — shake it ‘til you make it!” he said.
James Bye
EastEnders star James Bye is best known as his character Martin Fowler on the BBC hit soap.
James has played troubled Martin since 2014, and has been nominated for several British Soap awards, winning one for Best Storyline in 2016.
"I’m not known for my shimmy or my twinkle toes — in fact my kids regularly laugh at my dad dancing but it’s an honour to be asked and I’m going to give it my best shot," he said.
"There are some huge dance shoes to fill and it’s truly exciting to follow in the footsteps of some amazing EastEnders talent. I’d love to do everyone proud.”
Helen Skelton
The 15th and final celebrity contestant to be confirmed was TV and radio presenter Helen Skelton.
Helen had a busy early career with children's programmes, including presenting Newsround and spending five years on the Blue Peter Team.
Since leaving Blue Peter in 2013, Helen has appeared on Countryfile and worked on sporting events for the BBC including the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
The qualified tap dance teacher already has Strictly experience, having come second on the show's 2012 Christmas special.
“I’m really excited to get stuck into a fun adventure. My family and friends have always loved the show and can’t wait for me to get started," she said.
Who are the new professional dancers for Strictly 2022?
There will be 20 professional dancers this year, with four of them new to the show.
These are Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley, Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas and European cup winner Vito Coppola.
The returning dancers 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 and Nancy Xu.
However, there are a couple of absences, with the first being Aljaz Skorjanec as he shocked fans by quitting the show earlier this year.
The exact reason for his absence has not been revealed, though he was clear he would miss the series.
On Instagram, he wrote: "A little while ago I made the tough decision that Strictly 2021 would be my last.
"The show has given me an opportunity and freedom to create and express myself in front of millions of people every weekend for the last 9 years."
Oti Mabuse similar surprised viewers when she stepped away from the programme to pursuit other projects in TV.
After having won the show in both 2019 and 2020, with her sister Motsi Mabuse also being a judge on the programme, Oti confirmed her exit in February.
In a statement, she said: "I can't put in to words how difficult this decision has been, but I have decided not to return for the next series."
She then joined ITV’s Dancing on Ice as a judge herself.
Who are the presenters for Strictly 2022?
Both Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will return to host Strictly Come dancing for the 2022 season.
In a statement released by the BBC, the pair 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.”
Who are the judges for Strictly 2022?
The judges confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2022 are Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke.
Anton replaced Bruno Toniolo last year, after he made the decision to leave the programme.
Bruno is also a judge on Dancing With The Stars in the USA, and due to travel commitments he admitted it was “impossible” to continue Strictly in the UK.
He said: "What's happened with Covid, the travelling situation is so unpredictable. I used to leave on a Sunday and fly back on Thursday to do the show in London.
"It was impossible because the rules changed, getting through the airport was not like it used to be, it created a situation that was unsustainable. I miss it so much.
"Unfortunately, Dancing With The Stars has moved to Disney+ which is a big deal. Because of the travel situation I will be there."
How to get tickets for Strictly 2022
The launch show is recorded and in the can, and unfortunately the deadline for getting on the list for live show tickets in the immediate future has already passed.
Registration for tickets for this year's live shows closed on Sunday August 28.
However, there will be dates being made available for December recordings of the show. Those interested should keep an eye on the BBC website.
As in previous years, tickets to see the programme, which is filmed at Elstree Film and Television Studios, will be allocated by random draw for those who have applied.
The BBC stresses that tickets for the lucky recipients are non-transferable. They cannot be transferred to another date or a person who is not named on the ticket.
A one-off special will be recorded at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom, the BBC has said.
