Thank you and a glittery goodnight
Huge thanks for your excellent company during this year’s curtain-raiser, everyone. Boy, it’s good to be back beneath the glitterball with you all.
Let’s reconvene right here for some proper dancing in the first live show, which starts at 6.55pm next Saturday. In the meantime, I’m @michaelhogan on “X” and @michaelhogan100 pretty much everywhere else, so do come and say hello.
Enjoy the rest of your weekend, Guardian glitterati. And of course, keeeeeep dancing! Goodnight.
Secretpuddlejumper says: “Katya must be thrilled with Lewis and high hopes for Alex. I think Vicki will do well, she is a grafter and likeable. Ross can worry less, he should be good till week 3.”
emilyscatnaps says: “Very well done to everybody for surviving the launch dance. Although Biff the Geezer will be first out on that showing.”
Gardener_Maidhc says: “Dani Dyer does pretty well. Lovely ringer does obviously good/ La Voix seems decent/ George Clarke not terrible/ The Pecs man can do stuff/ Alex has potential. What I could see of rugby wasn’t bad but room to improve. The others might be good but I missed them in the whirl of camera and sequins.”
audreyshandbags adds: “Taxi for Bosh! First one home - hopefully!”
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On Lewis Cope, Phoebe says: “The chap with all those brothers and sisters will have extra family cards to play. Imagine how many cute nieces, nephews, pets there are for him to deploy!”
On Thomas Skinner, heroica says: “Have they given Amy this man to soften his stance and winhim some sympathy? Or do they think he will go early and that gives her an easier show?”
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RegWhelk says “A couple of years ago, I saw La Voix perform his/her act in a field in Devon (don’t ask, but it was an event called Woofstock). Anyway, she is great and was very friendly afterwards in the bar.”
Whistledownthewind adds: “Kudos to La Voix for her brilliant reaction to getting Aljaz: ‘He’s the one I didn’t want!’ Not only puncturing the ‘this is the best news ever’ vibe the opening show encourages but it was Aljaz. Everyone, but everyone, wants Aljaz!”
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Readers’ verdicts
A rapid-fire round-up of wise words from the glitter gang down below. MikeMoonlight says “Evening all. Back here again? Dear oh dear. Although, to be honest, it was a struggle to even get to this blog. After attempting to samba my way in, I was confronted by an angry crowd of ‘concerned parents’ holding up signs saying “Stop The Boat-afogos”
Somersetlass says “Seeing the professionals’ opening dance has immediately put a huge grin on my face. *This* is why I watch – no matter who’s taking part, Strictly is pure joy.”
Whistledownthewind says: “Quite a few photos of celeb’s dogs tonight. Are they this year’s nans? Alex Kingston tells us how difficult it is to apply and develop a fake tan. No wonder President Trump is so grumpy.”
Emilyscatnaps adds: “Heartiest of congratulations to the delightful Dianne and Joe Sugg. I’ll start knitting the teeniest sparkliest bodysuit to welcome the newest member of Team Sparkle.”
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Mathis vs McIntyre vs Marple on TV tonight
Apart from the Celebrity Traitors trailer (obsessed already), it’s slightly slim picking for TV viewers tonight, I’m afraid.
You can stay on BBC1 for Michael McIntyre’s 25th Year Stand-Up Special or flip to BBC2 for Johnny Mathis Night. A classic Miss Marple is already underway on BBC4. At 8.40pm, there’s Kate: Judge My Work, Not My Clothes on Channel 5.
Film-wise, at 9pm, choose from The Night Of The Shooting Stars on Talking Pictures or The Creator on Channel 4 Later on, action fans can enjoy Die Hard (10.50pm on Film4) or Heat (11.50pm on Legend). Yippee-ki-yay indeed.
Very early days, obviously, but on this evidence, who do we think might dance deep into the contest? I liked the look of Lewis Cope, Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, Karen Carney, Balvinder Sopal and Vicky Pattison.
Stefan Dennis, Ellie Goldstein, La Voix and Ross King should be fun to watch. How long will Thomas Skinner last before he gets fired by the judges and public, do we reckon?
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Credits roll
“Staaaaaart dancing,” trill Tess and Claud. As the glitter confetti settles and the newly formed couples trot off to the training rooms, please stay with us for analysis, reaction and a round-up of your comments.
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Stefan Dennis not bad at all. Balvinder Sopal and Jojo Radebe look great together. It’s candy-coloured, limbs-a-flinging lunacy out there.
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Dad dancers Ross King, Thomas Skinner and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink relying on comedy factor at this early stage. La Voix is a tad creaky and flat-footed.
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Lewis Cope leading the charge and almost looks like a pro already. Dani Dyer and Alex Kingston also look promising.
Ellie Goldstein totally going for it. Harry Aikines-Aryeetey and Vicky Pattison giving it some serious welly.
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Class of 2025 hit the floor for the first time
As is launch show tradition, proceedings climax with all 15 celebrities and 19 pros cramming onto the dancefloor for a slightly chaotic group routine. Pay close attention, we’re about to get our first look at the new crop’s hoofing abilities.
It’s set to Apt. by Rosé and Bruno Mars – the addictively catchy 2024 K-pop/new wave mash-up which samples Mickey by Toni Basil (a song written about yours truly, of course) and is inspired by a popular South Korean drinking game.
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All 15 couples are now complete
So our Strictly 2025 line-up is officially confirmed. Which pairings do you like the look of? Who are glitterball contenders? And who are early candidates for the sparkly-handled wooden spoon?
Quizzed by the fringe
Claudia conducts the final five couple-grillings. Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey somewhat steals the scene with his shirtless dancing, complete with weights. Apparently he and pro partner Karen Hauer have accidentally been on holiday together already. Their first dance will be a cha cha to Push It by Salt N Pepa. Spinderella cut it up one time.
It’s Thomas and Amy!
Bosh! And finally, Thomas Skinner finds his new ballroom business partner. The appropriately besuited Apprentice star and pillow salesman is paired with Welsh favourite Amy Dowden. The proud Essex geezer and right-wing commentator has sparked a slew of headlines in the build-up to the series. Will he prove a casting nightmare or ratings gold?
Upbeat Amy from Caerphilly should help soften his edges. Having undergone cancer treatment and suffered from chronic Crohn’s disease, she’s had a tough few years but returned triumphantly to the dancefloor and is much-loved among the Strictly family. With regret, she’s now hired as Skinner’s sub-team leader.
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It’s Jimmy and Lauren!
Former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is next out of the home dressing room. Who will become his strike partner? The Dutch international player-turned-pundit has been paired with homegrown pro Lauren Oakley. He signed up after his daughters introduced him to the show but will Jimmy’s footwork across the floor be as sharp as his footwork in the penalty area?
Footballers never fare well beneath the glitterball, with only Robbie Savage and Alex Scott ever making it past the midway mark. After reaching the final with JB Gill last year, Lauren could be set for a far briefer stint this year. Ref-er-ee!
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It’s George and Alexis!
George Clarke is about to click like and subscribes – but who for? The social media personality and podcaster is paired with new US pro Alexis Warr. Being young, fit and fun means Clarke – not to be confused with the Channel 4 property presenter – should be a promising prospect. His millions of followers will mobilise in the public vote, too. Can he be the new Joe Sugg?
Utah-born firecracker Alexis will work him hard and will be keen to make an impression on this side of the Atlantic. Another pairing to watch, I predict.
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It’s Stefan and Dianne!
Soap veteran Stefan Dennis now finds out who’ll be his dancefloor neighbour. The actor best known as Ramsay Street villain Paul Robinson is paired with reigning pro champion Dianne Buswell in an all-Australian duo. Strewth, mate, you’re a flamin’ galah if you couldn’t see that coming. Can they find the perfect blend?
He’s the third Neighbours star to grace the Strictly dancefloor, after Jason Donovan and Holly Valance came third and fourth respectively in 2011. This year’s oldest celebrity at 66, Dennis has appeared in West End musicals and had a short-lived pop career (who can forget his 1989 hit Don’t It Make You Feel Good?), so will be no hoofing novice.
Di made it third final lucky with Chris McCausland last year, after previously finishing runner-up with Joe Sugg and Bobby Brazier. She and Sugg just announced that they’re expecting their first child, a son. Maybe Stefan can sort him a place at Erinsborough High and a part-time job at Harold’s Cafe.
It’s Harry and Karen!
Gladiator ready! But who will be Nitro’s pugil stick partner? Resplendent in pink, former Olympic sprinter and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey is paired with Venezuelan pro Karen Hauer.
He finished a respectable runner-up in the Christmas special, where he was partnered with Nancy Xu. Karen is the show’s longest-serving pro but hasn’t reached the final for five years. Does she have an outside chance with nifty Nitro? They will go on our first whistle. And hopefully another one won’t bite the dust.
George Clarke seems surprisingly posh. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is a soppy old sweetheart.
Couples on the couch
La Winkle and Dame Daly make chit-chat with another batch of hoofing novices. Nitro from Gladiators jiggles his pecs, distractingly.
I fear we’re about to hear the word “Bosh!” rather a lot. Arguably too much.
Final five couples about to drop
We can probably have a good guess at them by process of elimination but let’s not spoil the fun.
Chris gives the class of 2025 some sage advice: “You’re burning a lot of calories so eat what you like. Give Craig as good as he gets. Take the dancing seriously but not yourself too seriously and you’ll have a wonderful time.”
Rise, fall, emotion and a reminder of what heartwarmingly worthy winners they were nine months ago.
Tess gives a lovely shout-out to vocalist Tommy Blaze, a fellow Reds fan, and stalwart Strictly bandleader Dave Arch who is back, baton in hand and bulging dossier of cover versions close to hand.
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It was this waltz which cemented the couple as frontrunners. It also won Most Memorable TV Moment at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards. As Dianne said in her acceptance speech: “This dance meant a lot to Chris. It was Liverpool FC’s anthem and I knew he loved ballroom styles, so I knew I had to choreograph something very special.”
Chris and Di’s victory dance
We welcome back to the 2024 glitterball winners. Reigning champions Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell make a triumphant return to the ballroom, reprising their waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone by by Gerry and the Pacemakers.
When they first performed it in week five, with a solo section where Chris walked alone towards Dianne, moved the judges to tears and notched 35 points. It was also their Judges’ Pick in the grand final, where they increased their score from to a perfect 40.
Choreographic accompaniment comes from Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu, Ginger Neil and Gorka “The Corker” Márquez. The’ve all been benched this series, meaning they have no celebrity partner. Instead they’ll be ensemble dancers and provide injury cover. A shame, especially in Nancy’s case #justicefornancy.
Musical interlude from Jessie J
Tonight’s musical guest is Essex songstress Jessica Ellen Cornish, aka Jessie J – firmly on the comeback trail after being diagnosed with early-stage breast cancer and undergoing surgery.
She’s belting out her new single Living My Best Life, which she says reflects of her approach to resilience, healing and positivity. It’s the first salvo fro her upcoming sixth studio album, Don’t Tease Me With a Good Time, out in November.
Balvinder Sopal and Julian Caillon reveal that their first dance will be a samba to Shake Shake Shake (Shalke Your Booty) by KC & The Synshine Band. Bold. He admits that he’s been wearing good luck underpants which now have so many holes that “there’s not much support left”. Enduring image.
Alex Kingston is all-round excellent and speaks German to win over Motsi Mabuse.
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Ellie Goldstein and Vito Coppola are totally adorable already. He promises to make her pizza for training room snacks. As a Celebrity MasterChef winner, that’s not to be sniffed at.
Vicky Pattison has a lovely turn of phrase. She has “posture like a “croissant” and is “thrilled to ribbons” with new partner Kai.
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It’s Karen and Carlos!
Lioness-turned-sport presenter Karen Carney now finds out who she’ll be marking at sparkly set pieces. England’s third-most-capped women’s footballer is coupled with Carlos Gu. There was speculation that the Brummie wing wizard would form half of Strictly’s first all-female partnership since 2022 but clearly not.
Former Chinese champion Carlos was benched last year but has a good Strictly record, having finished runner-up in his debut year with Molly Rainford and reaching the quarter-final with Angela Scanlon. A competitive couple who could go far. Carlos is sporting new hair and in the VT, a “brave” combo of shorts and boots.
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It’s Balvinder and Julian!
Balvinder Sopal, aka Suki Panesar from EastEnders, is the next celebrity into the sparkly sorting hat. Cue dramatic doof-doofs for her big reveal. The Albert Square matriarch is paired with new Australian pro Julian Caillon. Balvinder was rushed to the physio in training this week after “hearing something pop” in her left glute and hip but soon shook off the injury.
EastEnders has produced three glitterball winners in Jill Halfpenny, Kara Tointon and Rose Ayling-Ellis. Soapy Sopal appears unlikely to join them but her new partner will be keen to impress in his debut series, so let’s see how far she can go.
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It’s Ellie and Vito!
The history-making model and Malory Towers actress is paired with Italian pro Vito Coppola. She was the first ever model with Down’s Syndrome to appear on the cover of Vogue and partnered with Mattel to produce the first Barbie doll with Down’s. Now she’s notching another first by becoming the first contestant with Down’s on the main series of Strictly.
This year’s youngest contestant at 23, she couldn’t be in better hands than Vito’s. He’s reached the final in all three of his series and now bids to make it four in a row. They’re equally energetic, enthusiastic and endearingly over-excited. What chance a groundbreaking glitterball win?
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It’s Alex and Jojo!
Who’ll be treading the Strictly boards with Alex Kingston? “Spoilers, sweetie” as River Song would say. The stage and screen actor – best known for Doctor Who and ER – is paired with popular South African pro Johannes Radebe.
A classy pairing. At 62, she’s the field’s oldest female and Johannes is great with a mature female. He worked wonders two years ago with Annabel Croft and is on something of a hot streak in recent series. Alex’s reaction is priceless, mainly comprising screaming. Rather brilliantly, her press statement upon her unveiling was simply “Aaaaagghhh!” I love these two already.
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It’s Vicky and Kai!
Howay the lass, who will be paired with Vicky Pattison? Let’s find out, pet. The reality TV favourite is paired with home-grown pro Kai Widdrington.
The Geordie Shore alumnus was crowned Queen of the Jungle on I’m a Celebrity. A decade later, can she reign over the dancefloor? Nerves might be one of her big hurdles. She’s admitted to being “buzzing but terrified” and said she came “close to having a panic attack” when she went on-set for the first time. Bless her. I’m a fan, so fingers crossed. She’s already joked that this launch show was “was the worst experience of my life”, claiming that it made her “cripplingly aware of how s***e you are” and saying she felt like a “sausage in a skin”.
After being bafflingly left on the subs’ bench last year, Southampton-born Kai will have high hopes of reaching his second final. These two should get on famously. Another couple who could go far.
Karen Carney discusses how being on Strictly is a “bucket list moment for her” and that she was stuck on her dancing shoes for four hours due to a buckle mishap. She gets a video message from the mighty Jill Scott.
Strictly Come Wagging
Strong canine presence in this show. We’ve seen Alex Kingston’s pooch in a tuxedo and Vicky Pattison’s two labradors fighting over her dancing shoes. This is all music to Claudia’s ears, as she’s equally smitten with her own pup, the lovely Skip.
Five more pairings about to be unveiled
Predictions welcome.
A fancy-schmancy introduction to the new signings, complete with the newcomers pros dancing underwater. Back in the studio, Julian fanboys over Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink (he’s a Chelsea fan) and Vicky Pattison (he’s a Geordie Shore fan). Meanwhile, Alexis is, in short, “excited”.
The new male pro is Sydney-born Julian Caillon, 30, who’s spent three series on the Australian version of the show. He’s of French and Italian descent, has also worked as a personal trainer and has been dancing since age 10.
Meet the two new pros
Our two new professional dancers arrive in style with a sizzling poolside routine. Shirley Ballas is there and everything. Fun and sunshine, there’s enough for everyone.
The new female professional is 25-year-old Alexis Warr, who was dubbed “America’s favourite dancer” after becoming the first Latin and ballroom hoofer to win US contest So You Think You Can Dance. She later became part of the troupe on Dancing with The Stars but this will be her first series with a celebrity partner. Fun fact: she’s also a Mormon.
La Voix tells Claudia about his new partnership: “We’re iconic and blinding. I could be describing your fringe.”
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Lewis Cope and Katya Jones reveal that their first dance will be a jive. I suspect he’ll be good enough to handle such a challenging number first up.
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Claud asks the questions
We’re back up to the balcony of bantz. Dani Dyer and Nikita “have got this”. Chris Robshaw is “in awe” of Nadiya. He always had an Epsom Salts bath and spag bol before rugby matches. I’m the same before liveblogging.
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Ross King is weepy already. Jowita reveals that their first dance will be a cha cha cha to California Gurls by Katy Perry (tune).
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It’s Chris and Nadiya!
Who will rugby star Chris Robshaw be tackling and scrummaging with? The former England rugby union captain is paired with Ukrainian pro Nadiya Bychkova. He’s the ninth rugby player to take part in Strictly but none has ever lifted the glitterball trophy. “Let’s see if a rugby sidestep works in the cha cha cha,” says the self-styled dad dancer.
As the tallest female pro at 5ft 7in, Nadiya was always likely to get teamed with a strapping bloke. She was first out with swimmer Tom Dean last year, so will be hoping for a slightly longer stint.
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It’s La Voix and Aljaž!
The flame-haired RuPaul’s Drag Race finalist is paired with smiley Slovenian pro Aljaž Škorjanec. La Voix amusingly pretends to flounce out in fury, saying “That’s the one I said I didn’t want”, before returning all smiles. Oh, the wag.
She’s the first drag queen to take part in the main show, after Tayce won last year’s Christmas special. Real name Chris Dennis, she’s trained in musical theatre and will inevitably sport some fabulously flamboyant costumes.
Three-time finalist Aljaž returned last year after two years away and came close to the glitterball with Tasha Ghouri. He’ll fancy sashaying deep into the contest again.
It’s Dani and Nikita!
Who’ll be her type on paper? Let’s couple her up. The Love Island winner is paired with Ukrainian pro Nikita Kuzmin. Dani’s played down her dance experience but she’s a born performer, hugely likeably and bound to get viewer votes.
Nikita came tantalisingly close to the glitterball with Layton William in 2023 and will be happy with his partner here too. Could this be his year? A couple to watch, I reckon
It’s Lewis and Katya!
Stepping in after Kristian “Hodor” Nairn withdrew for health reasons, the Emmerdale actor is paired with Russian pro Katya Jones. Late replacements have form for doing well – see Kelvin Fletcher lifting the 2019 glitterball – so County Durham-born Lewis Cope could be a dark horse. His stage school training and a teen role in the Billy Elliot musical hint at high hoofing potential.
In her 10th series, the ever-competitive Katya, one of Strictly’s most creative choreographers, will push him hard in her bid for a second win (not a second Wynne).
It’s Ross and Jowita!
From Hollywood to Borehamwood. ITV’s LA correspondent is paired with Polish pocket rocket Jowita Przystal.
At 63, he’s this year’s second oldest celebrity. Jowita can be forgiven for finding herself pining for last year’s partner Pete Wicks, pink PVC trousers included. In fact, the pair went public with their romance only last bight. She joined Wicks on stage during a live episode of his podcast Staying Relevant and they snogged on-stage. The only way is showmance.
Let the pro-celebrity pairing begin
First into the ballroom breach is Ross King. But who’ll be his Ross Queen?
One of this year’s less heralded signings, Hollywood correspondent Ross King, is proving very good value. He’s got a well-wishing VT from Lorraine Kelly (high time she did Strictly, surely?) and jokes that he’s checked the betting, noting that he’s bookies’ favourite to go out first. What a sport. But can he defy the odds?
Dani Dyer = the new Stacey Solomon. Lewis Cope has 13 siblings. It’s going to be a bunfight for those friends and family front row tickets.
Claudia grills the class of 2025
Up to the Clauditorium for some chat with the newbies. And Tess is there too, confusingly. Does not compute. Breaking news: La Voix is a total hoot.
Lewis Cope is basically a young Vernon Kay, right? Tess must be confused and conflicted.
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Dani Dyer this year. Daddy Dyer next year? Make it so, producers, I don’t care what it costs. I won’t rest until he’s got his tango trotters on.
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Our Strictly stars™
Our 15 celebs emerge blinking into the spotlight for their first wave from the top of the Strictly staircase. Dani-not-Danny Dyer! Nitro off Gladiators! Paul Robinson off Lassiters Hotel Complex, Erinsborough! Alex Kingston! Floral suits, sparkly frocks and see-through tops! Some slightly obscure retired sportspeople!
Here comes the judges/Judges take to the floor
We welcome the paddle-raising panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas behind their slightly cosier new desk. Our awesome foursome won’t have much to do this week, as the “proper” dancing and paddle-raising doesn’t start until next week.
Glam squad in full effect
Footage of the celebrities getting primped, crimped and double-dipped in Tropical Sunset fake tan (deep teak shade).
Let’s meet some celebs!
We’re introduced to our celebrities in places of personal significance to them. So Lewis Cope is in his hometown of Hartlepool, Vicky Pattison is in her native Newcastle, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink is at Stamford Bridge, Chris Robshaw is at Twickenham and Alex Kingston is at Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre. The big classy thespian show-off.
Frockwatch
Here come our presentational pair, so time for our first fashion face-off of the series. Tess Daly is in a hot pink gown, Claudia Winkleman is in fitted, rouched black with a chic three quarter-length sleeve. Claud wins but what a treat to see them back in tandem.
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A suitably epic way to kick off, all set to a 90s/Noughties dance medley. Yes, sparkly squadron, Strictly is back with a bang.
The judges help retrieve the precious bauble, which Chris’ pro partner Dianne Buswell carries triumphantly into the ballroom, clad in a befringed frock and borne aloft on Kai Widdrington’s shoulders - well, Lady Di has got a baby on board – before we launch into a spectacular routine from the professional troupe.
The entire Strictly family – 15 new famous faces, judges, Tess and Claud – join the fun, tripping the light fantastic. There’s a kitschy white staircase and light-up disco dancefloor. Camp as a choreographed Christmas.
And we’re off!
Strictly is 21 today. No new-look title sequence to pore over yet. That has to wait until after the pairings are announced. Instead we kick off with a comedy skit which sees reigning champion Chris McCausland steal the Strictly glitterball trophy. The light-fingered, twinkle-toed rascal.
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Take your sofa seats and charge your glasses, glitterati. We’re about to go over to the Elstree Studios ballroom for the first time this year. Stretch those hamstrings, hoik up those Spanx and hold tight!
Last knockings of the news and weather on BBC1 now. Get a wiggle on, you with the isobars and satellite images of cloud formations, we’ve got Latin and ballroom pairings to unveil…
Shortest show until November, anyone? With a relatively punchy running time of 110 minutes, tonight’s launch show is the snappiest we’ll get for a good few weeks, until the 15-strong field is whittled down.
Next week’s first live show will clock in at an epic 150 minutes. These early episodes truly are a test of sparkly stamina. Just 10 minutes until choreographic kick-off…
Now long now. How are we feeling about this year’s celebrity line-up? Here’s my initial reaction when the cast was announced. Thoughts? Feelings? Robust opinions and personal remarks?
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What else is on the ballroom bill?
The main business tonight, of course, is this year’s pro-celebrity pairings being unveiled. But we’re also promised one last turn around the floor for reigning champions Chris and Dianne, plus a musical performance from Jessie J.
Can you hear those ba-ba-daas in the distance? It’s nearly sequin o’clock…
Let’s play launch show bingo
As is traditional, here’s your weekly spotter’s guide to what we’re likely to see on-screen tonight. Tick them off! Take a drink for each! Celebrate Strictly being back, back, back! Here are your 10 launch show predictions:
Craig Revel Horwood is in an unnervingly good mood – at least until next week when his low-scoring paddles come out
You don’t immediately recognise one of the pros because they’ve had a haircut/grown facial fuzz/been on the beauty “tweakments”
Reigning champion Chris McCausland makes Claudia squawk with laughter
Judges go all gooey over young male celeb with his shirt undone and biceps a-bulging
Shirley and Anton are regally billed as “Queen of Latin” and “King of Ballroom” respectively
Middle-aged male celeb is “looking forward to being Strictly-fied”, meaning several shades more orange, a stone lighter and wearing lipstick
Ginger Neil ruthlessly maximises his camera time despite being benched again
Obvi-gag about Neighbours/Gladiators/The Apprentice during celebrity intros
Whoops and wolf whistles greet the new pros
Claudia Winkleman continues her running gag about fancying Dave Arch
Don’t phone in, it’s just for fun
Remember, there’s no voting tonight. And when it does return for next week’s inaugural live show, you’ll only be able to vote online.
The phone vote has been scrapped, a move which has been criticised for disenfranchising older viewers who prefer to call in. However, Strictly is just falling in line with the likes of Eurovision and Sports Personality Of The Year, which have also gone online-only.
A mere 15 minutes to wait…
Arrivals, departures and baby bumps among pros
There’s been some reshuffling of the professional troupe in the off-season. Gorka “The Corker” Márquez is off to judge the Spanish version of Strictly, so will only appear in this launch show and then towards the end of the series. He won’t get a celebrity partner and neither will Luba Mushtuk, Nancy Xu (sob) nor Ginger Neil.
We’ll meet two new pros in America’s Alexis Warr and Australia’s Julian Caillon, who’ll both get a big introduction tonight.
And congratulations to reigning pro champ Dianne Buswell, who announced last weekend that she’s expecting a baby son with partner Joe Sugg, making her the first pregnant professional ever to compete on Strictly. Aww.
Not long until the glittery clapperboard comes down…
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Not all bad news
All the bad press didn’t dent Strictly’s popularity at the recent viewer-voted National Television Awards. The show picked up the Best Talent Show prize for an impressive 10th year in a row. This followed spring’s BAFTA for Most Memorable TV Moment. That Strictly trophy cabinet continues to fill up.
It’s just 20 minutes until glittery curtain-up…
Another summer of Strictly scandal
It’s not been as bad as last year’s Great Unpleasantness (aka The Bullying Inquiry That Must Not Be Mentioned) but it’s certainly not been an ideal build-up to Strictly’s comeback. Wynne Evans and Jamie Borthwick were both relieved of their BBC duties after being caught making unsavoury comments and an ableist slur respectively.
The Metropolitan Police launched an investigation into reports of on-set cocaine use and also arrested a former Strictly star on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse. Even longtime co-host Tess Daly hadn’t escaped criticism, with complaints about her cashing in on her profile with lucrative commercial deals.
To make matters worse, one of this season’s celebrity contestants, Apprentice alumnus Thomas Skinner, has been attracting lurid tabloid coverage for marital infidelity. He promptly caused a kerfuffle at a Strictly press day when he grabbed a journalist’s phone and stormed out.
All a bit grim and grubby. Such tawdry tales tend to hit Strictly hard, since they undermine its inclusive, supportive, wholesome, family-friendly image. Why aren’t we allowed nice things? Can the show itself shrug off the negativity and restore our faith again?
It’s half-an-hour until the clock strikes sequins…
Dust off your dancing shoes for Strictly 2025!
Strictly is back! And almost as importantly, it’s our first sequin-spangled liveblog of the year. Good evening all and welcome to the 23rd series of Strictly Come Dancing. I’m Michael, your cyber dance partner from now until Christmas. I hope you’ll join me for another life-affirming, jazzhand-waving autumn of escapist entertainment.
Tonight’s pre-recorded launch show sees our 15 eager new celebrities paired up with their professionals partners. This is followed by our first opportunity to assess their hoofing potential as everyone hits the Elstree Studios floor for ye olde traditional curtain-raising group number. It promises to be the usual chaotic crowd scene of dad-dancing, disco moves and comedy gurning at the camera.
It’s been another turbulent lead-in to this year’s series, with the show attracting negative headlines and being tainted by more scandal. More on that shortly. Tonight is our first chance to see if the BBC ballroom behemoth can keep its sparkle.
It’s showtime at 6.40pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.10pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reader reaction and medium-spiced snark. So dig your dancing shoes out of the cupboard where you stuffed them nine long months ago and I’ll see you on the sofa. Strictly season has quickstepped into view. Yes, it’s all freewheeling from here until Christmas.
I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan (I stubbornly refuse to call it X), contact me on Bluesky or Threads @michaelhogan100, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is back open for ballroom badinage. I’ll cha-cha slide down there every now and again to wave hello and gauge your reaction to the show, so please do share your thoughts.
Are we all ready to rumba again? My typing fingers are limbered up and Len’s Lens has been respectfully polished. Nearly time to staaaaaart pro-celebrity pairing!
