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Just 15 minutes until sequin o’clock….
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As is traditional, here’s your weekly spotter’s guide to things we’re likely to see on-screen each week. Tick them off! Take a drink for each! Celebrate Strictly being back, back, back!
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Comeback pros Amy Dowden and Aljaž Škorjanec don’t stop grinning for the entire episode
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Shirley and Anton are billed as “Queen of Latin” and “King of Ballroom” respectively. Poor Motsi doesn’t get a regal title
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Craig Revel Horwood is on jolly form, which will all change next week when his scoring paddles come out
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There’s a pro you don’t recognise because they’re always on the subs’ bench/have grown a beard/had a haircut
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Reigning champion Ellie Leach advises this year’s cast to “enjoy the journey”
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Sarah Hadland and Toyah Wilcox look exactly the same, which could get confusing
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Male celeb is “looking forward to being Strictlyfied”. The next time we seem him, he’s several shades more orange
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Ginger Neil elbows his way to the front of a group shot
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Obvi-gag about Nick Knowles sending out a “Dance SOS”/Wynne Evans “go comparing” his footwork
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Claudia Winkleman mentions how she’s missing Krishnan Guru-Murthy’s son Jay
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All the negative press didn’t dent Strictly’s popularity at this week’s viewer-voted National TV Awards. Claudia and Tess picked up the Best Talent Show prize on behalf of the show and were so delighted, they conga-danced off the stage. Gloria Estefan would approve.
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It will be intriguing go see how events of recent months affect the show. New welfare measures have been introduced, including welfare producers for both the celebrities and pros. A member of the production team will be present at all times in the training rooms.
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There has been speculation that the scandals might have affected the show’s casting process. The new series has the lowest percentage of female celebrities in Strictly’s 20-year history, with just six women out of 15.
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To replace the departing pro pair, it was announced in July that Aljaž Škorjanec would be returning after a two-year hiatus. He’s a fan favourite and family man who is seen as a safe pair of hands.
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What other differences might be made by this tumultuous period? BBC director general Tim Davie has said the show should be more fun and less competitive.
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Will the ballroom curtain now be pulled back to embrace any drama, reveal the truth behind the feelgood platitudes and be open about exactly how hard the Strictly process can be? Will chaperones disrupt the dynamic and rapport between the couples? Will the controversy be explicitly mentioned on-air in tonight’s show? Has the glitterball lost its shine? I guess we’ll get our first clues shortly.
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It’s been an annus horribilis so far for the BBC’s flagship entertaining franchise. The controversy was kickstarted by actress Amanda Abbington, who departed the last series early amid rumours of clashes with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice – a former glitterball winner, four-time finalist and one of the top pros. Early this year, Abbington made a complaint that she’d been subjected to “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying” and had suffered mild PTSD as a result.
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In June, it was confirmed that after “numerous serious complaints” regarding his teaching methods, thought to include testimony from some of his previous dance partners, Pernice would not be returning to the show. Pernice denied “any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”. A BBC investigation is still ongoing. Since her complaint was made public, police have looked into death threats allegedly made against Abbington and her family.
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Later that month, despite initially being confirmed for this series, it was announced that Pernice’s fellow Italian pro Graziano Di Prima wouldn’t be returning either, following allegations of misconduct towards his own 2023 partner, Love Islander Zara McDermott. Di Prima said he “deeply regretted his actions that led to his departure”, which included kicking McDermott in training. He reportedly ended up “under medical supervision and had “ugly thoughts” about suicide.
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As the crisis deepened and vultures began to circle, further stories swirled about pros’ teaching methods and behind-the-scenes behaviour, some going back years. Ex-contestant Rev Richard Coles said “no one was surprised” in an “intensely competitive show with a dark heart”.
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Accusations of bullying and abuse hit Strictly particularly hard, since they undermine its inclusive, supportive, wholesome, family-friendly image. The fallout even led to speculation that the series might be taken off-air this year. However, the show must go on and we’re back in the ballroom tonight.
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You can read more about it all in our articles here and here.
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…And almost as importantly, our first sequin-spangled liveblog of the year. Good evening all and welcome to the 22nd series of Strictly Come Dancing. I’m Michael, your virtual dance partner in Strictly’s landmark 20th year. I hope you’ll join me for a celebratory autumn of twinkle-toed communal viewing.
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Tonight’s pre-recorded launch show sees our 15 intrepid new celebrities paired up with their professional partners. This is followed by our first chance to check out their hoofing potential as everyone hits the fabled Elstree Studios floor for the traditional curtain-raising group number. It promises to be the usual chaotic cocktail of dad-dancing, disco moves and mugging for the camera.
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You don’t need me to remind you that this is a momentous series for the BBC’s ballroom behemoth. So far its 20th anniversary has been overshadowed by a string of scandals that left the show in crisis – and even, for a while back there, its future in doubt. More on that shortly. Tonight is our first chance to see if the choreographic contest can keep its all-important sparkle.
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It’s showtime at 7.20pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.45pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and affectionate snark. So dig your dancing shoes out of deep storage and see you on the sofa. Strictly season is upon us again. Before we know it, it’ll be Christmas.
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I’d love to hear from you, too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me [email protected] and the comments section below is open for cha-cha-chat. I’ll rumba-walk down there every now and again to say hi and gauge your reaction to the show, so please share your thoughts.
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Are we ready to set the glitterball spinning again? Nearly time to staaaaaart pro-celebrity pairing!
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Main Events
What's the shortest show until November? With a tight running time. 100 minTonight's announcement show will be the shortest in several weeks until the field is narrowed down to 15 candidates.
The first live show next week is a 145 minute epic, and these first few weeks will be a test of glorious stamina. 10 min Just a few more moments until the choreography begins…
What else is on the ball program?
The main event of the night will, of course, be the announcement of the pro-celebrity pairings, but we're also guaranteed to see the reigning champions take to the floor one last time. Ellie and VitoMusic performance Clean Bandit featuring Anne-Marieand then some Group number.
Only 15 minutes left until sequin time…
Play Launch Show Bingo
As per usual, here's our weekly spotter's guide to what you can expect to see on your screens each week. Check it out! Grab a drink each! Let's celebrate the return of Strictly!
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Comeback pros Amy Dowden and Aliyas Shkorjanec couldn't stop smiling throughout the episode
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Shirley and Anton are called the “Latin Queen” and “King of the Ball” respectively. Poor Motsi doesn't get a royal title.
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Craig Revel Horwood is in good form but that will all change when the scoring paddle is released next week.
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There are some pro players you don't notice because they're always on the reserve bench, or they have beards, or they've cut their hair.
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Reigning champion Ellie Leach advises this year's cast to “enjoy the journey.”
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Sarah Hadland and Toya Wilcox look alike, so you might get confused.
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A male celeb is excited to be “Strictlyfied” and the next time we see him he'll be a few more shades of orange
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Ginger Neil elbows front row in group photo
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Nick Knowles sends out a “Dance SOS” message and Wyn Evans “compares” his footwork – an obvious gag
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Claudia Winkleman says she misses Krishnan Guru Murthy's son Jay
It's not all bad news
Strictly's popularity this week has been huge, despite the negative press. Viewer Voted National Television AwardsClaudia and Tess Best Talent Show After accepting their award on behalf of the show, the group was so happy they conga-danced off the stage in a way that even Gloria Estefan would approve.
The Elephant in the Ballroom
It will be interesting to see how the events of the past few months affect the show. New welfare measures A range of structures have been put in place, including having members of the production team, including both celebrity and professional benefits producers, stationed in the training room at all times.
There is also speculation that the scandal may have affected the show's casting process, with the new series featuring the lowest proportion of female celebrities in Strictly's 20-year history, with just six out of 15 being women.
Announced in July as a replacement for the departing Propair Alyash Shkorjanec He's returning after a two-year hiatus and is beloved by fans, considered a family man and someone to rely on.
What other changes will come during these turbulent times? Tim Davie He said the show should be more fun and less competitive.
The curtains are now open on the ball, will the drama rage, will the truth behind the comforting clichés be revealed and will they open up about just how tough the Strictly process is? Will the chaperones upset the dynamics and trust between the couples? Will this controversy be explicitly addressed in tonight's show? Has the glitzy ball lost its luster? We expect to get the first clues soon.
Strictly Scandal Summer
It's been a bad year for the BBC's flagship entertainment series. The controversy comes after actress Amanda Abbingtonshe left the final series early amid rumours of conflict with her professional partner. Giovanni Pernice – A former Glitterball winner, four-time finalist and top professional, Abbington alleged earlier this year that she had been subjected to “inappropriate, mean and brutal bullying” which left her with mild PTSD.
In June, it was confirmed that Pernice would not be returning to the show after “numerous serious complaints” were made about her teaching methods, including alleged testimony from former dance partners. Pernice denied “suggestions of abusive or threatening behaviour”. The BBC's investigation is still ongoing. Police are investigating death threats that have been allegedly made against Abbington and her family since her complaint was made public.
Later that month, despite initially being booked to play in the series, Pernice's fellow Italian pro, Graziano Di Prima He also won't be returning in 2023 following cheating allegations against his partner, Love Islander. Zara McDermottDi Prima said he “deeply regrets the actions which led to his departure”, which included kicking McDermott during training, and the report said he was eventually “placed under medical observation and had 'ugly thoughts' about suicide”.
As the crisis deepened and the vultures began to swarm, further rumors swirled about the pro's leadership methods and behind-the-scenes behavior, some dating back years. Reverend Richard Coles “Nobody was surprised” by what he called “a fiercely competitive show with a dark heart.”
The allegations of bullying and abuse have hit Strictly particularly hard, as they tarnish the show's image as inclusive, supportive, wholesome and family-friendly. The furore has even led to speculation that the show may be cancelled this year. But the show must go on, and tonight we return to the ballroom.
For more information, see this and this article.
Get ready for Strictly 2024's launch show
…and almost equally important, our first sequin-encrusted liveblog of the year. Good evening everyone. Strictly Come Dancing season 22I'm Michael, your virtual dance partner for Strictly's monumental 20th anniversary, and I'd like to join you all as we all celebrate autumn together.
Tonight Pre-recorded launch show Our 15 brave new celebrities After being paired with a professional partner, they will have the chance to test out their hoof potential for the first time as they perform a traditional dance on the floor of the legendary Elstree Studios. Opening Group NumberIt looks like it's going to be the usual chaotic content, with dad dancing, disco dancing, and posing for the camera.
This I don't need to remind you A landmark series for the BBC ballroom giantSo far, the 20th anniversary A series of scandals That put the show in a tailspin, and at one point put its future in doubt — more on that later — but tonight is our first chance to see whether the choreography competition can retain its all-important luster.
the It starts on BBC One at 7.20pmI Live blog from 6:45 p.m.pumps, running coverage, analysis, reaction and a touch of loving sarcasm. So, get your dancing shoes out of the deep vault and see you on the sofa, because it's Strictly season again and before you know it, it'll be Christmas.
I would love to We hear youis also possible. Tweet it @Michael Hogan, Contact us by email [email protected] and Comments section The space below is a chat room, and I'll be doing the rumba walk from time to time to say hello and get your reactions to the show, so please let me know what you think.
Are you ready to spin the glitter ball once again? It's almost time for some pro-celeb pairings!
