Strictly Come Dancing: the launch show – live
Like many elements this year, the pairing-up process has been revamped. For the first time, the celebrities will discover the identity of their pro partners in front of a studio audience, via three specially-choreographed dance routines.
It’s been described as “speed dating meets roulette” in a launch show which “features more dancing than ever before.” The 15 celebs will split into three groups of five and dance with the pros, switching partners at regular intervals until the routine stops and they see who they’re left with.
A grown-up game of musical statues. Jelly and ice cream for afters. It’s 20 minutes until the glittery curtain comes up…
Nobody likes change on their favourite TV shows but needs must. Tonight’s proceedings will be overseen for the first time by all-new hosts, representing Strictly’s biggest ever shake-up.
As the trio told me in our exclusive interview, they came through a cloak-and-dagger casting process which lasted several months and their chemistry in screen tests was apparently “off the charts”. Producers haven’t played it safe by replicating the Tess-and-Claudia dynamic. It’s a risky roll of the dice which will be fascinating to watch.
Series occasionally work well with a three-headed hosting hydra - think Blue Peter, Top Gear, Match Of The Day or The Last Leg (starring a certain Mr J Widdicombe) so let’s see how Strictly’s effervescent throuple settle in.
It’s 25 minutes until the clock strikes sequins…
Strictly is back, back, back! Almost as importantly, so is our sequin-spangled liveblog. Good evening all and welcome to the 24th series of Strictly Come Dancing. I’m Michael, your virtual dance partner from tonight until Christmas. I hope you’ll join me for another life-affirming autumn of glitz, glamour and giddy entertainment.
It’s all change beneath the glitterball. After long-serving, much-loved presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bowed out at Christmas (sob), a new hosting line-up was needed. The BBC surprised us all by replacing them with not one, not two, but three fresh faces: safe-pair-of-hands Emma Willis, wild card comedian Josh Widdicombe and professional dancer Johannes Radebe to provide hoofing expertise.
Yes, it now takes three to tango but don’t expect like-for-like Tess ’n’ Claud substitutes. They’ll be swapping places and switching between roles during each show. How will it work? We’re finally about to find out.
This evening’s pre-recorded launch show sees our 15 celebrities paired with their professional partners - and even that process has been revamped. More on that shortly. This will be followed by our first glimpse of their twinkle-toed potential as everyone hits the Elstree Studios floor for the traditional curtain-raising group dance. We’ll also meet the five new professionals, and welcome back reigning champions Karen Carney and Carlos Gu for a triumphant last dance.
For the first time in a few years, it’s been a scandal-free build-up to this year’s series. However, it’s a huge night for Strictly in other ways. Tonight might not be broadcast live - this launch show was filmed last week - but it’s our first chance to see if the ballroom blockbuster can keep its sparkle in a new choreographic chapter.
It’s showtime at 7.25pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 7pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, reader reaction and twinkle-toed asides. So dust off your dancing shoes and see you on the sofa. Strictly season is upon us. Next stop Blackpool, then it’s all downhill to mulled wine and Quality Street.
As ever, I’d love to hear from you too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, 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 business. I’ll rumba-walk down there every now and again to wave hello and gauge your reaction to the show, so please do share your thoughts.
After nine months of rest, let’s stretch our hamstrings and flex our typing fingers. Nearly time to staaaaaart pro-celebrity pairing!
KioskNews shows a cleaned-up reading view extracted from the publisher’s page — the original always lives on their site, not ours.