Strictly host Tess Daly confirms 'tight' schedule of launch weekend as new series kicks off

Tess Daly has confirmed the quick turn around in the Strictly Come Dancing schedule for launch weekend as the show finally returns on Friday night.

It's been a longer wait than normal for fans of the BBC show to get their ballroom fix, with viewers chomping at the bit to have Strictly back in their lives. It seems like an absolute age since the likes of Will Mellor, Kym Marsh, Tony Adams and early favourite Fleur East were announced on the Strictly line-up for the new series.

The likes of EastEnders actor James Bye, Loose Women anchor Kaye Adams and another frontrunner with the bookies, Helen Skelton, will also be hotfooting it onto the dancefloor this year but, viewers are still not the wiser on who's paired with who, despite the fact that the launch show was recorded weeks ago.

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While the series launch will go out on BBC One on Friday night, in reality it was filmed back on Wednesday, September 8, the day before The Queen died. Her Majesty's passing prompted the broadcaster to make a number of big changes to its programming in the days and week that followed, as schedules were overhauled to devote time to live coverage and tributes.

One of the shows affected was the Strictly launch. Days before it was due to air, on Saturday September 17, it was confirmed that the curtain raiser for the new run had been pushed bag, with Paddington replacing it on BBC One.

The launch show will now air on Friday, September 23 and, rubberstamping the fact that the first live show of Strictly 2022 will follow in quick succession, long-serving presenter Tess took to Instagram to post: "Launching this Friday at 7pm on @BBCOne and going LIVE this Saturday. Can’t wait to see you there!"

Tess then returned o Instagram to share shots of her and co-host Claudia Winkleman on set, writing "reunited and it feels so good."

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