BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing is set to return in just a few days. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back as hosts, while Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood will once again judge the competition.
After months of drama and backstage allegations, many questioned if the beloved show could make a comeback. However, it has been confirmed that the series will return on Saturday, September 14 with a fresh line-up of professionals, contestants and a change in the rules.
Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have been dropped following allegations of training room misconduct, with former dancer Aljaz Skorjanec stepping back into the ballroom after years away as a last-minute replacement. The BBC has also implemented some stringent new rules for rehearsals – including chaperones to oversee each couples’ every move.
This comes after Director General Tim Davie issued a public apology to any ex-celebrities who had been negatively affected during their time on the show. Here’s everything you need to know about the new series.
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Who are the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 celebrities?
The celebrity contestants taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024 are:
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Chris McCausland – Comedian
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JB Gill – Singer, TV presenter and author
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Wynne Evans – Broadcaster, presenter, and professionally trained opera singer
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Toyah Willcox – Singer and actress
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Dr Punam Krishan – Media medic and broadcaster
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Tasha Ghouri – Model and TV personality
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Pete Wicks – TV personality, author, radio and podcast host
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Shayne Ward – Actor and singer
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Sarah Hadland – Actress
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Jamie Borthwick – EastEnders star
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Tom Dean MBE – Three-time Olympic swimming champion
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Montell Douglas – Gladiator and Olympian
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Nick Knowles – Bafta-winning TV presenter
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Paul Merson – Former footballer and broadcaster
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Sam Quek – Olympic and European Gold medallist, former England and Team GB hockey player and now a TV and radio presenter
Who are the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 professionals?
Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola are all set to light up the Strictly dancefloor as they return to the show. Joining them will be Aljaz Skorjanec, who is making a much-anticipated return to the Strictly Come Dancing Ballroom as a professional dancer for the brand-new series. After a two-year break, fan favourite Aljaz is set to twirl back onto our screens for the 20th year of Strictly.
Notably this year, Amy Dowden returns to Strictly after sitting out on the 2023 series while she was receiving treatment for breast cancer. Earlier in 2024 Amy revealed that doctors had told her there was now “no evidence of disease” in her body.
Who are the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 judges?
As mentioned, the judges consist of Anton Du Beke, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood.
Will Strictly: It Takes Two be back?
Yes. Janette Manrara and Fleur East return to host Strictly: It Takes Two, which as ever will be offering insight into the dancers’ training. It will air in its usual BBC Two slot.
How can you watch the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 launch show?
The new series of Strictly Come Dancing begins with the launch show which airs at 7.20pm on Saturday, September 14 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. For the latest TV & Showbiz news, sign up to our newsletter.
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