The celebrity line-up is complete, we've had a first-look teaser video, and we've seen some impressive moves already – it can only mean that the countdown for Strictly Come Dancing is officially on!
Excitement is building for the return of the Latin and Ballroom dance competition now that fans have familiarised themselves with the class of 2023 and seen them dressed in their finery in the official photos that were released over the weekend.
The celebrities will soon become well-acquainted with dance shoes, sequins, and Craig Revel-Horwood's sharp tongue when the competition kicks off in just a couple of weeks' time; but before we return to Elstree, here's all you need to know about the upcoming series of Strictly which will be hosted once again by the wonderful Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman...
When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 start?
The BBC confirmed recently that the launch of Strictly 2023 will take place on Saturday 16th September. The launch is pre-recorded and then shown on BBC One and will see the pairing of the celebrities with their professional dancer partners.
Typically, the launch occurs a week before the first live show takes place to allow the new pairings to rehearse vigorously before hitting the dancefloor for the first time. This means that the first live show will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 23rd September. Bring it on!
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Who are the Strictly pros this year?
Although each year the fresh lineup is the main event of Strictly, the professional dancers on the show are a fundamental part of the family and have built as much of a fan base with viewers as the contestants over the years.
Every Strictly Come Dancing winner so far
- 2004: Natisha Kaplinsky (partner Brendan Cole)
- 2004: Jill Halfpenny (partner Darren Bennett)
- 2005: Darren Gough (partner Lilia Kopylova)
- 2006: Mark Ramprakash (partner Karen Hardy)
- 2007: Alesha Dixon (partner Matthew Cutler)
- 2008: Tom Chambers (partner Camilla Dallerup)
- 2009: Chris Hollins (partner Ola Jordan)
- 2010: Kara Tointon (partner Artem Chigvintsev)
- 2011: Harry Judd (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2012: Louis Smith (partner Flavia Cacace)
- 2013: Abbey Clancy (partner Aljaž Škorjanec)
- 2014: Caroline Flack (partner Pasha Kovalev)
- 2015: Jay McGuiness (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2016: Ore Oduba (partner Joanne Clifton)
- 2017: Joe McFadden (partner Katya Jones)
- 2018: Stacey Dooley (partner Kevin Clifton)
- 2019: Kelvin Fletcher (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2020: Bill Bailey (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis (partner Giovanni Pernice)
- 2022: Hamza Yassin (partner Jowita Przystał)
- 2023: Ellie Leach (partner Vito Coppola)
Fans can look forward to seeing regulars such as Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Luba Mushtuk, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola all return, as well as long-term pros like Karen Hauer, Giovanni Pernice, Katya Jones and, of course, last year's champion Jowita Przystal.
© Robin Lee-PerrellaAmy Dowden recently announced that she will not be dancing with a celebrity this year as the dancer continues to receive treatment as part of her breast cancer journey. During an Instagram Live with breast cancer awareness charity CoppaFeel!, Amy explained how she now needed chemotherapy after more tumours were discovered following her recent mastectomy.
© GettyShe said: "They found another type of cancer and then they told me I needed chemo – for me, that was a massive blow… This year, it means I'm not going to be able to dance with a celebrity on Strictly, but I'm in such regular contact with the team – the BBC has just been utterly incredible."
Who are the 2023 Strictly judges?
The judges are part of the Strictly furniture and we can't wait to reunite with the fab four. Head judge and former world champion Shirley Ballas will be back to lead the way, along with fellow champion and all-around legend Motsi Mabuse. Meanwhile, former Strictly pro Anton Du Beke will be back to take his seat on the panel as well as OG judge Craig Revel Horwood who will no doubt have a fresh batch of cutting one-liners up his sleeve. It's going to be fab-u-lous, darling!
© Ray BurmistonWho are the celebrities taking part in Strictly 2023?
Fans can look forward to seeing a brilliant group of celebrities hitting the dancefloor at Elstree Studios.
© Ray BurnistonThe 2023 line up consists of Amanda Abbington; Angela Rippon; Layton Williams; Krishnan Guru-Murthy; Eddie Kadi; Angela Scanlon; Zara McDermott; Adam Thomas; Nikita Kanda; Ellie Leach; Jody Cundy; Bobby Brazier; Nigel Harman; Annabel Croft and Les Dennis.
