Strictly Come Dancing is back for 2022, and we've got a first look at the new series as the professionals film their opening sequence.
The upcoming episodes will mark the BBC One show’s 20th series in what promises to be a stellar year for the show as the likes of Helen Skelton, Matt Goss, Will Mellor and Kym Marsh all take to the dance floor.
Anton du Beke will be joining the judging panel permanently this series, alongside Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Shirley Ballas, whilst with Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec stepping down as pro dancers, four new talented stars will be joining the show. Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, Vito Coppola and Carlos Gu have all signed up.
Excitement is growing for the new series now all the celebrities have been confirmed, and new exclusive pictures obtained by The Mirror show some of the male pro dancers relaxing in between takes for the opening number of the upcoming series.
In the snaps, a number of the show's most well known dancers including Gorka Marquez, Cameron Lombard, Johannes Radebe, Graziano Di Prima, Nikita Kuzmin were seen looking relaxed as they took a moment away from filming.
All still in costume, the quintet were seen snapping pictures of each other on their mobile phones as they enjoyed the nice weather.
Strictly is back full force come next month, with Helen Skelton recently becoming the fifteenth star to sign up to the show. She confessed she was keen to join the show for all the glitz and the glam - but admits she can't dance.
"I just wanted to wear nice dresses. I work on farms. I watch cows give birth and stand in wellies," she said, "I can’t decide whether it’s the best or worst thing I have ever agreed to. And I haven’t even started yet. I agreed a few days ago… and they ask me, ‘Can I dance’, and I say, 'No… isn’t the point to go on it to learn to dance.' I can’t dance and I feel sick when I hear the theme tune."
Meanwhile, Anton is joining the panel full-time as a judge for the upcoming series.
He said previously of his appointment: "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."
Whilst Shirley Ballas, head judge, added of the upcoming 20th series: "Being a judge on Strictly is such a joy and honour for me, and I can’t wait to be back at the studio waving my paddle. Every year the wonderful production team surpass themselves and I know they have some brilliant plans in store for 2022. I’m so excited to get started."
*Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One soon.
