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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Entertainment
Jessica Sansome

When is the Strictly Come Dancing launch? Start date and line-up for BBC show

It won't be long until we'll all be humming 'da dada da da da daaaa' as Strictly Come Dancing returns.

The BBC juggernaut will return with 15 new famous faces ready to learn the difference between the cha-cha-cha and the Charleston.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back to host the show and keep the Strictly ship running as smoothly as possible on a Saturday night.

There are also set to be a few changes.

READ MORE: Holly Willoughby breaks down in tears on This Morning as she apologsies to Kate Garraway

Fans will be aware that Bruno Tonioli has had to drop out of the 2021 series, leading to long-standing professional Anton du Beke stepping in.

Anton will take his place on the panel alongside Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and head judge Shirley Ballas.

There are also four new professional dancers joining the line-up to replace Anton and Janette Manrara, who is now hosting BBC Two's Strictly spin-off, It Takes Two.

Bosses have promised the Strictly viewers more of what know and love will be back after a slightly shorter, restricted series due to the coronavirus pandemic last year.

All the themed weeks are back – including movie week, musicals week and Halloween week, all of which had to be shelved last year due to difficulties with hair and make-up under full PPE and Covid restrictions.

Anton du Beke will become a judge this year (PA)

Sadly, however, the special trip to Blackpool has been axed for another year.

But when does it all start?

The launch show, which introduces viewers to the public for the first time and sees the celebrities paired with their professional partners, will air on Saturday, September 18 at 7.45pm.

Then the live shows will kick off a week later on Saturday, September 25 when the celebrities will compete on the dancefloor for the very first time.

This is different to previous years as the celebs have usually had two weeks between the launch show and the live shows beginning.

The stars of Strictly Come Dancing 2021 (PA)

So, who is hoping to win the Glitterball trophy this year? Here's the full Strictly Come Dancing 20201 line-up@:

  • Broadcaster, sports pundit and former England rugby player Ugo Monye
  • Loose Women star and comedian Judi Love
  • Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty MBE
  • EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis
  • Actress Nina Wadia
  • Actor Greg Wise
  • Chef, social media influencer and CBBC presenter Tilly Ramsay
  • BBC Breakfast presenter Dan Walker
  • Former Corrie star and Hollyoaks actress Katie McGlynn
  • Dragon's Den star Sara Davies MBE
  • Actor and children’s TV presenter Rhys Stephenson
  • Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite
  • TV presenter AJ Odudu
  • Actor and comedian Robert Webb
  • McFly singer Tom Fletcher

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