It's hard to believe it's that time of the year again but Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens this weekend.
A host of celebrities will take to the dance floor to perform a dazzling display of ballroom routines in the run up to Christmas.
Here's everything you need to know about the new series:
Hosts
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are both returning to host the show's 17th season.
Zoe Ball will present spin-off show It Takes Two alongside new so-host Rylan Clark-Neal.
Joining Zoe Ball as the co-host of It Takes Two is Rylan! We can’t wait to welcome him to the #Strictly family when the show returns on @BBCTwo in the autumn. pic.twitter.com/3BtVH9D5Lv
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) April 18, 2019
Trailer
The first episode of the new series will feature a performance from Kylie Minogue and a routine from Stricly's pro dancers.
Fans will get to see this year's celebrity contestants being matched up with their professional partners.
The Line-Up
- David James - Former Professional Footballer
- Chris Ramsey - Comedian
- Emma Barton - Eastenders actor
- Saffron Barker - YouTube star
- Catherine Tyldesley - Coronation Street actor
- Mike Bushell - BBC Sport Presenter
- Karim Zeroual - CBBC Presenter
- Emma Weymouth - Viscountess and Chef
- Michelle Visage - RuPaul's Drag Race judge
- Will Bayley - Gold-Medal winning Paralympian
- Jamie Laing - Made In Chelsea star
- Alex Scott MBE - Football pundit and former professional player
- Dev Griffin - BBC Radio 1 DJ
- James Cracknell OBE - Former Olympic rower
- Anneka Rice - Broadcaster
Halfway through day 1 of group rehearsals with this crazy bunch, ready for the #strictly Red carpet!! @bbcstrictly BRING IT ON 💃🏼 pic.twitter.com/ajK6JXFzjI
— Saffron Barker (@SaffronBarker) August 19, 2019
Professional Dancers
New pro Nancy Xu is replacing Pacha Kovalev who has left after 8 years.
The 28-year-old from China was a finalist on So You Think You Can Dance in China and danced in the West End and Broadway show Burn The Floor.
Meanwhile, Graziano Di Prima and Gorka Marquez will be focusing on group numbers this year and won't have celebrity partners.
Check out the full list of returning professionals:
- AJ Pritchard
- Anton Du Beke
- Aljaž Škorjanec
- Amy Dowden
- Karen Clifton
- Katya Jones
- Kevin Clifton
- Luba Mushtuk
- Nadiya Bychkova
- Neil Jones
- Oti Mabuse
- Dianne Buswell
- Giovanni Pernice
- Gorka Marquez
- Graziano Di Prima
- Janette Manrara
- Johannes Radebe
Judges
New judge Motsi Mabuse will join Bruno Toniolo, Craig Revel Horwood and Sirley Ballas on the judging panel.
Mabuse is a former South African Champion and German Latin Chamption. She replaces Dame Darcey Bussell.
Motsi's sister Oti is one of the series' professional dancers.
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Strictly Come Dancing 2019: Air Date
The first episode of Strictly Come Dancing 2019 airs on September 7th on BBC One.
The first live show is expected to follow later this month.
Start your engines, #Strictly is back in 15 days! Saturday 7th September @BBCOne ✨ @michellevisage pic.twitter.com/pEJVgUNaLG
— BBC Strictly ✨ (@bbcstrictly) August 23, 2019
