Strictly launch date REVEALED as stars including Dianne Buswell and Shayne Ward are seen heading to last minute rehearsals
The launch date for Strictly Come Dancing is just days away, with the first show airing on BBC One on Saturday 14th September.
The first live show will take place the following week, on September 21st.
With just a week to go before the professionals and celebrities take to the screen, Dianne Buswell led the stars to Elstree Studios on Wednesday for final rehearsals.
The 35-year-old red-haired ballroom dancer looked serious as she walked out of her London hotel in jeans and a tight black top.
She completed her look with a brown leather bag and wore a black, neon pink and red jacket over her arm.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Dianne Buswell, 35, looked sensational as she attended filming at Elstree Studios on Wednesday after the launch show date was confirmed
Singer and Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward, 39, was also spotted entering the studios looking ready for a workout in a blue vest and matching tracksuit bottoms.
Singer and Coronation Street actor Shayne Ward was also spotted.
The 39-year-old amateur dancer looked ready for a workout in a blue vest, matching sweatpants and gym bag.
He wore a headband around his brown curls and wore a mint green cardigan over his casual look as he gave a thumbs up to fans outside.
Pete Wicks appeared very relaxed as he spent a day rehearsing and filming with his fellow contestants.
The former TOWIE star, 36, wore grey paint-splattered trousers and a white T-shirt under a distressed black leather jacket.
He covered his eyes with brown sunglasses as he carried a silver suitcase and a black and gray sports bag out of the London hotel.
Toya Wilcox, 66, dressed all in black with a bright pink jacket tied around her waist, was seen getting out of a car.
The presenter went makeup-free to greet the stars before the match started.
Dr Punam Krishan had a big smile on her face as she walked into the room wearing black leggings and an oversized T-shirt under a light denim jacket.
The TV presenter and GP carried a large cream-coloured bag over her shoulder as she joined her fellow cast members.
Pete Wicks, 36, wore paint-splattered gray pants and a white T-shirt under a distressed black leather jacket as he carried two bags out of his London hotel
Toya Wilcox, 66, went makeup-free in an all-black outfit with a neon pink jacket tied around her waist when she was spotted climbing out of a car
Dr. Punam Krishan had a big smile on her face as she stepped out in black leggings and an oversized T-shirt under a light denim jacket
Aljaž Škorjanec appeared in good spirits as he arrived in Paris in an Olympic uniform, giving photographers a thumbs up as he walked to the car, still wearing his white hotel slippers.
Nancy Xu looked chic in an oversized blue utility jacket and cream trousers as she held a coffee cup and her phone as she walked towards the candidates
Elsewhere, Aljaž Škorjanec appeared in good spirits as he arrived in Paris in a Paris Olympic kit, giving photographers a thumbs up as he walked to his car, still wearing his white hotel slippers.
The BBC’s flagship programme has been plagued for months by allegations of ‘bullying’ and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, directed at their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
The BBC has launched an investigation into allegations made about Giovanni by former contestant Amanda, the results of which have not yet been made public. Pernice denies the allegations.
Dancer Graziano has also left the show.
This year’s lineup will include last year’s winner Vito Coppola, Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Karen Hauer, Neil Jones, Katya Jones and Nikita Kuzmin.
Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Michelle Tsiakkas complete the line-up.
Amy Dowden is returning to the series after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. She discovered a lump the day before her honeymoon, missing out on the chance to have a celebrity partner on Strictly that year.
The 34-year-old announced in February that she would return to the show this year after a mastectomy and chemotherapy showed “no evidence of the disease” following tests.
The opening show of Strictly’s 20th anniversary series sees the dancers perform an ’empowerment’ routine to celebrate Amy’s return, as well as the celebrity contestants being paired with their dance partners.
Strictly’s launch show airs on Saturday 14 September at 7.20pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
STRICT LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Occupation: Comedian
Chris says, “If there’s anyone out there who’s thinking, ‘How on earth is he going to do that?’ – I’m sure I’m thinking exactly the same thing.”
Doctor Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Occupation: general practitioner and announcer
Punam says: ‘I’ve watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that this is the 20th year. I can’t believe I’m the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Occupation: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and loving this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan, the glitter. It’s a milestone year for me, I came in as a pensioner, Glasto and now I’m getting spray tans.’
Peter Wicks
Age: 36
Occupation: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live for the people every Saturday? Really scary.’
Shayne Department
Age: 39
Occupation: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but Latin and Ballroom dancing in front of millions of people is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Occupation: Olympic medal-winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially say how excited I am to start something new, meet some brilliant people and go dancing’
Nick Kennes
Age: 61
Occupation: TV presenter
Nick says, ‘I’m going all in, I’m going for it 100 percent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Occupation: Singer
JB says, “A lot of the ballroom styles are very foreign to me — I didn’t do those dances growing up. I’m not a trained dancer.”
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Occupation: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says, “What I’m nervous about is the things that involve jumping. I don’t necessarily want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Occupation: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little. It’s a real Ghouri family favourite. So this is a dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Occupation: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I’m absolutely thrilled to be part of such an iconic show that’s been around for 20 years.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Occupation: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a great time doing the Christmas special so when I was asked to join in it was a no brainer!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Occupation: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I’m so relieved it’s out now, it was hard keeping it a secret! The rumours got out and I had to lie! I’m used to dancing on a girls night out but I’m going to give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Occupation: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I only worry about it when it starts, but once it happens I get nervous. After all, I’ve only danced three times in my life!’