Strictly Come Dancing 2023 - Everything you need to know about Series 21

Strictly Come Dancing will return to screens in 2023, marking the 21st Series of the nation’s favourite dancing show.

Made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions, the multi award-winning series promises to entertain the nation once again, with presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman back in the ballroom to oversee proceedings each weekend as a host of brand new celebrity contestants take to the floor in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Here's everything you need to know about Strictly 2023...

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 start?

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer in Autumn 2023 with further details about air date and start time to be confirmed.

Who are the Strictly 2023 celebrity contestants?

Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon CBE and Layton Williams were revealed as the first three members of the Class of 2023 on The One Show on Friday 4 August. Krishnan Guru-Murthy was revealed on Claudia Winkleman’s show on BBC Radio 2.

The fifth celebrity taking part is Eddie Kadi, who made his special announcement on The Official UK Afrobeats Chart Show with Eddie Kadi on BBC Radio 1Xtra on Sunday 6 August.

Angela Scanlon was announced as the sixth addition to the line-up on the BBC Radio 2 Breakfast Show on Monday 7 August and celebrity contestant number seven, Zara McDermott, was revealed on Going Home with Vick and Jordan on BBC Radio 1.

Adam Thomas was revealed as the eighth celebrity contestant on The Hits Radio Breakfast Show with Fleur East, James & Matt on Tuesday 8 August and ninth contestant Nikita Kanda shared her Strictly news with her BBC Asian Network family on BBC Asian Network Breakfast with Nikita Kanda.

Tenth celebrity contestant Ellie Leach was revealed on BBC Breakfast on Wednesday 9 August, with Jody Cundy CBE announced as the eleventh Strictly contestant on BBC Radio 5 Live Breakfast. Bobby Brazier was revealed as the twelfth addition to the Class of 2023, live from the set of EastEnders on BBC Breakfast.

Thirteenth contestant Nigel Harman joined the Class of 2023 on ITV's Lorraine on Thursday 10 August and Annabel Croft was revealed as the fourteenth celebrity heading for the ballroom on Virgin Radio's Breakfast show.

And last but not least, fifteenth contestant Les Dennis completed the line-up via Good Morning Britain on 11 August.

Who are the Strictly 2023 Professional Dancers?

Viewers can look forward to seeing some of the most talented Latin and Ballroom professional dancers from all across the globe as Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola all return.

Meet the Strictly 2023 Judges

Behind the judges desk once again will be the acid tongued adjudicator Craig Revel Horwood, Let’s Dance Germany judge Motsi Mabuse, NTA Award winning judge Anton Du Beke and The Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas who will return as head judge.

In addition to all this, Dave Arch and his wonderful band will once again provide the soundtrack to Saturday and Sunday nights all across the UK - plus there is so much more for viewers to look forward to, including unforgettable group routines, world class music acts, theme weeks and of course the much anticipated annual trip to the iconic and much loved Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

Strictly It Takes Two returns

New co-presenter Fleur East will be joining Janette Manrara, who returns for her third series presenting the show.

Speaking on her appointment - announced on The One Show tonight - Fleur said: “I’m so excited to officially join the Strictly family! I had such an amazing time on the show last year and so cannot wait to be talking to the celebs each week on It Takes Two. Being a Strictly fan, I’m excited to get all the behind-the-scenes exclusives on the show. I know exactly what the next lot of celebs will be going through. It’s an incredibly fun experience, but it’s tough! Hopefully, I can offer them a bit of support and a friendly face along the way. I’m so grateful for this opportunity and can’t wait to get started!”

Fleur will be joining Janette for her third series presenting the show. Fans will be able to see the pair presenting together in the first episode of the series, and they will host multiple shows on their own throughout the series, giving audiences the best behind the scenes exclusives and offering the latest cohort of contestants the best advice.

Eve Winstanley, Executive Producer for BBC Studios and Strictly It Takes Two commented: “Fleur is a brilliant addition to the Strictly It Takes Two family. She has been in the contestants shoes, so can offer the best advice, tips and insight on what to expect. We can’t wait for audiences to see Janette and Fleur together, they’re a dynamic duo.”

Audiences will be able to tune into the new series in September from 6.30pm on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer.

Find out more about the Strictly 2023 stars: Strictly Come Dancing 2023 line-up confirmed

Slán go fóill.