Strictly Come Dancing has teased its upcoming 20th season with a brand new trailer featuring the show’s beloved professionals.
The BBC series, which is returning later this month, not only marks the show’s birthday milestone but also the return of pro Amy Dowden to the Strictly ballroom following her breast cancer battle.
Ahead of the show’s return, the broadcaster has shared glimpse of the new season’s trailer which features the show’s stars performing a lively routine, encouraging everyone to hop on the ‘Strictly bus’.
Choreographed by Jason Gilkison, the routine is set to a nostalgic medley of '90s and early 2000s hits, including We Like To Party! by Vengaboys, Pump Up The Jam by Technotronic, and 5,6,7,8 by Steps.
In the opening scene, viewers see returning pro Aljaž Škorjanec driving the ‘Strictly bus’ around the UK following a two-year hiatus from the show, as favourites NIkita Kuzmin, Dianne Buswell and Katya Jones showcase their moves.
Behind the trio, 2023 champ Vito Coppola can be seen holding the glitterball before he launches into choreography alongside Katya Jones and Kai Widdrington.
While many of the dancers are having fun onboard the bus, it stops to pick up remaining cast members Downden, Johannes Radebe, Carlos Gu and Lauren Oakley.
The clip ends with the pink and blue-toned bus, which has the name Brucie on the plate in honour of the show’s late host Bruce Forsyth, continuing down the road before the Strictly Come Dancing title appears.
The launch show of Strictly’s 20th anniversary series will see the dancers perform an “empowering” routine to celebrate Dowden’s return, and will also see its celebrity contestants paired with their dancing partners.
The 20th-anniversary series will welcome its first blind contestant in comedian Chris McCausland, who will compete alongside JLS star JB Gill, Go Compare opera singer Wynne Evans, singer Toyah Willcox, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri and reality TV star Pete Wicks.
Also among the line-up are Gladiator and Olympian Montell Douglas, EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick, Olympian Tom Dean, singer Shayne Ward, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, Morning Live resident doctor and NHS GP Dr Punam Krishan, former England footballer Paul Merson and Olympic hockey gold medallist Sam Quek.
Speaking about her Strictly return, the Welsh dancer said: “I am so excited for every element of being back with my Strictly family.
“I am so grateful to get this opportunity, especially as it’s such a special year for this legendary show. It feels like it’s my first year again.
“I’m buzzing to see the whole team, for costumes, for dance routines, to meet the celebrities, the judges. Everyone’s laughing at me because I am just smiling constantly.
“I’d like to dedicate this dance to my pink sisters who have supported me through the past year and to all those currently facing cancer.”
It comes after a storm of controversy around the BBC dancing show over the alleged treatment of contestants.
An investigation was launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni Pernice by former participant Amanda Abbington, with the results yet to be made public. Pernice rejects the allegations.
Fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima has also left the show. A date for the series’ launch episode is to be announced by the BBC in due course.
The full Strictly trailer will air on Wednesday, September 4, at 19:29 on BBC One after The One Show and before EastEnders.
