Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a well-liked television show focused on dance. It enjoys high viewership ratings. In this article, we will provide a comprehensive overview of its background, structure, the most fascinating contestants, hosts and judges, as well as address commonly asked questions.
| Genre | Dance television show |
| Country | Great Britain |
| First episode | May 15, 2004 |
| Number of episodes per week | 1 (the show airs on Saturdays, and the results are announced on Sundays) |
| Production | Broadcast on BBC One, developed by BBC One |
| Number of seasons | 22 aired, 23th season to be launched |
| Episode duration | 90 minutes |
Overview of the show
This is a British dance initiative, regarded as one of the most esteemed programmes on television. Its title is derived from the film Strictly Ballroom and the earlier BBC dance show Come Dancing.
Background of the programme
The inaugural episode of Strictly Come Dancing was broadcast on BBC One on 15 May 2004. This series is a continuation of the longstanding Come Dancing initiative.
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In 2010, Guinness World Records acknowledged Strictly Come Dancing as the most successful reality show format globally.
The franchise has been sold to 60 nations under the title Dancing with the Stars, licensed from BBC Worldwide.
In 2024, Strictly Come Dancing was awarded the title of best entertainment programme at the British Academy Television Awards.
A new season is set to commence in 2025, running from September to December. The show is anticipated to air in the lead-up to Christmas and will have a festive theme. Although there were speculations about the programme’s cancellation, viewers can look forward to watching it again tonight, Saturday.
Structure
The programme showcases pairs made up of a professional dancer and a celebrity, who is typically an actor or television host. Following each performance, the couples receive evaluations from the judges.
In 2023, there was a modification to the format of Strictly Come Dancing: after their performance, the couples no longer displayed a dance segment.
The show includes several characteristics: celebrities primarily engage in ballroom and Latin American dance styles.
Voting Process
In Strictly Come Dancing, the audience casts their votes for the participants they believe should progress to the subsequent round. Voting can be conducted via telephone or through online methods on the official website or the app.
The audience’s votes are combined with the scores given by the judges. For instance, if there are 10 couples remaining, the judge’s top choice receives ten points, the second choice gets nine points, and so forth. The couple finishing in last place is awarded one point.
Voting occurs weekly following the performances of the couples. It begins right after the show on Saturday evening and concludes 24 hours prior to the announcement of the results.
At times, the voting window may be prolonged, such as during a double elimination or other significant occurrences.
Each couple is given a unique telephone number, which is displayed on the television screen for viewers. The audience is permitted to vote multiple times.
The official website features a voting platform that necessitates registration and the creation of an account for participation.
Viewers also have the option to vote through the official mobile application, which similarly requires registration.
Additionally, votes can be submitted via SMS messages sent to a designated telephone number.
The outcomes of the voting are shown on a scoreboard, which is accessible to both the audience and the contestants.
Where is Strictly Come Dancing recorded?
Since 2013, Strictly Come Dancing has been recorded at Elstree Studios located in Borehamwood, London. The only exception occurs during Blackpool Week, when the participants take to the stage at the Tower Ballroom.
Where can I view Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly Come Dancing is aired on BBC One. Additionally, it is accessible via the BBC iPlayer streaming service.
What is the process for applying to Strictly Come Dancing?
To apply for a chance to compete in Strictly Come Dancing, individuals must visit the official website of the show and complete a designated form that requires personal information:
- Full name;
- Age;
- Gender;
- Place of residence;
- Telephone number.
It is crucial to verify all information prior to submission. Only individuals who are adults and citizens of Great Britain are permitted to take part in the programme.
Participants of Strictly Come Dancing
Participants of Strictly Come Dancing are paired with professional dancers alongside celebrities from television, film, or theatre.
Notable Contestants from Strictly Come Dancing
The leaderboard for this project has varied over the years. Let’s highlight some of the most unforgettable contestants from the show.
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice. This duo triumphed in the 19th season in 2021. Their performance featured an Argentine Tango along with a dance dedicated to the deaf community, which included a silent portion, making them stand out to the audience.
Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse. They claimed victory in the 18th season in 2020. Bill is distinguished as the oldest contestant among all winners of the show.
Kelvin Fletcher. He was the winner of the 17th season. Known for his part in the popular soap opera Emmerdale, Fletcher captivated the audience not just with his dancing abilities but also with his charm.
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton. They secured the win in the 16th season in 2018. They demonstrated to the audience that they are a well-matched pair who perform gracefully on the dance floor.
Caroline Flack. She was the champion of the 12th season in 2014. The television presenter amazed the judges with flawless scores for each of her performances.
Winners of Strictly Come Dancing
The most formidable couples reach the finale of the programme. The champions of the show in various years are the most exceptional contestants. The revelation of their identities during the finale of each season consistently creates suspense that captivates a large audience of viewers in front of their televisions.
| Season | Winners |
|---|---|
| 1(2004) | Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole |
| 2(2004) | Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett |
| 3(2005) | Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova |
| 4(2006) | Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy |
| 5(2007) | Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler |
| 6(2008) | Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup |
| 7(2009) | Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan |
| 8(2010) | Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev |
| 9(2011) | Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani |
| 10(2012) | Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace |
| 11(2013) | Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec |
| 12(2014) | Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev |
| 13(2015) | Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani |
| 14(2016) | Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton |
| 15(2017) | Joe McFadden and Katya Jones |
| 16(2018) | Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton |
| 17(2019) | Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse |
| 18(2020) | Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse |
| 19(2021) | Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice |
| 20(2022) | Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał |
| 21(2023) | Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola |
| 22(2024) | Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell |
Oti Mabuse and Alona Vilani are the sole professionals to have achieved victory on two occasions.
Judges of Strictly Come Dancing
Throughout its history, the judging panel of Strictly Come Dancing has featured several prominent figures, including:
- Craig Revel Horwood
- Bruno Tonioli
- Len Goodman
- Arlene Phillips
- Alesha Dixon
- Darcey Bussell
- Shirley Ballas
- Motsi Mabuse
- Anton Du Beke
Craig Revel Horwood has been part of the show since 2004.
Bruno Tonioli served as a judge from 2004 until 2019 and made his return to the show in 2021.
Shirley Ballas has been on the judging panel since 2017, alongside Motsi Mabuse.
In 2025, the judging responsibilities will be held by Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beke, who will evaluate the contestants’ performances.
Hosts
The presenters of the show are also quite prominent figures.
Tess Daly has been hosting the programme since 2004, while Claudia Winkleman has been doing so since 2010. They are set to continue as presenters in 2025.
Sir Bruce Forsyth was the presenter from 2004 until 2013.
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When does Strictly Come Dancing start?
In September 2025, the programme is scheduled to begin at 6:40 p.m. local time and will continue until 8:30 p.m.
Who was the champion of Strictly Come Dancing 2024?
The champions of Strictly Come Dancing 2024 were Chris McCowland and his partner Dianne Buswell. Their victory was revealed on 14 December.
What are the dates for Strictly Come Dancing 2025?
The inaugural episode of the upcoming season is set to be broadcast on 20 September and will be recorded in advance. Live performances will be aired each Saturday until December 2025. The finale is scheduled for 20 December.
What did Wynne Evans express on Strictly Come Dancing?
In November 2024, Wyn Evans shared his thoughts on his time on Strictly Come Dancing during his radio programme. He mentioned feeling quite anxious prior to the initial filming, but was happy with how it turned out. In early 2025, he found himself needing to issue a public apology for making inappropriate sexual remarks. The actor and host stated: ‘My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.’
What is the reason for Amy’s absence from Strictly Come Dancing?
Amy Dowden departed from Strictly Come Dancing because of a leg injury. Following her doctors’ recommendations, she prioritised her recovery and chose not to continue her involvement in the dance competition.
