Published: 12 December 2023
Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens for 2023, marking the 21stseries 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 is the Strictly Come Dancing Final?
Join Tess and Claudia for the Strictly Come Dancing grand final on Saturday 16 December from 7pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
After 12 weeks of competition, we have our finalists, and one of them will lift the Glitterball Trophy. Our remaining couples perform three incredible routines in a bid to be your Strictly Champion.
Cher will be performing, and the cast of 2023 will return for one more epic routine. In the final, the judges’ scores are for guidance only; the winner lies entirely in your hands.
Who will you crown Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2023?
- Read more: Everything you need to know about the Strictly Come Dancing 2023 Grand Final
Strictly Voting
You'll find everything you need to know about how to vote for your favourite Strictly couples here.
Who are the Strictly 2023 celebrity contestants?
The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 celebrities were confirmed in a series of announcements in August 2023 and they are:
- Adam Thomas-an actor and TV presenter who can "sort of do the robot"
Learn more about Adam here - Amanda Abbington- an award winning stage and screen actor who can't wait toembarrass her children
Learn more about Amanda here - Angela Rippon-an award-winning journalist, TV presenter, newsreader, and author who's provinganything's possible in your 70s
Learn more about Angela here - Angela Scanlon -a TV presenter who's readyto engross herself in sequins and glitter
Learn more about Angela here - Annabel Croft - a former British Number One tennis player who's hoping to "find the joyfulness" on her Strictly journey
Learn more about Annabel here - Bobby Brazier - a model and actor who's "always dancing" and can't wait to team up with a pro
Learn more about Bobby here - Eddie Kadi - a comedian who's been "oiling the hips" and "dropping a little salsa... just to see"
Learn more about Eddie here - Ellie Leach- an actor who's beentesting the fake tan "just to see if it suits me"
Learn more about Ellie here - Jody Cundy - a World and Paralympic champion who's "all in" and ready for the full Strictly experience
Learn more about Jody here - Krishnan Guru Murthy - a journalist and broadcaster who's ready to place his trust in Strictly and get into character
Learn more about Krishnanhere - Layton Williams - a film and theatre actor who was "born to be Strictly-fied"
Learn more about Layton here - Les Dennis - a TV personality, actor and entertainer whose signature move is "dad dancing"
Learn more about Les here - Nigel Harman - a TV, film and theatre actor and director who's thinking "what have I done?"Learn more about Nigel here
- Nikita Kanda - a radio host and TV presenter who's "a bit of a raver"Learn more about Nikita here
- Zara McDermott - a broadcaster and content creator who's taking a "leap of faith" and pushing herself out of her comfort zone
Learn more about Zara here
Read more:Strictly Come Dancing 2023 celebrities talk "oiling the hips", past contestants' top tips and going for glitterball glory
Who's left Strictly 2023?
Week 2:Les Dennisand Nancy Xu left the competition following a Dance Off withNikita Kandaand Gorka Marquez
Movie Week:Nikita Kandaand Gorka Marquez left the competition following a Dance Off withZara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima
Week 4:Jody Cundyand Jowita Pryzstal left the competition following and Dance Off withEddie Kadi and Karen Hauer
Week 5:Eddie Kadiand Karen Hauer left the competition following a Dance Off withZara McDermottand Graziano Di Prima
Halloween Week:Zara McDermottand Graziano Di Prima left the competition following a Dance Off withAdam Thomasand Luba Mushtuk
Week 7:Adam Thomasand Luba Mushtuk left the competition following a Dance Off withAngela Ripponand Kai Widdrington
Week 8:Krishnan Guru Murthy and Lauren Oakleyleft the competition following a Dance Off withAngela Ripponand Kai Widdrington
Blackpool Special:Angela Ripponand Kai Widdrington left the competition following a Dance Off withBobby Brazierand Dianne Buswell
Week 10:Angela Scanlonand Carlos Gu left the competition following a Dance Off with Layton Williamsand Nikita Kuzmin
Semi-Final:Annabel Croftand Johannes Radebe left the competition following a Dance Off withBobby Brazierand Dianne Buswell
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.
Who are the Strictly 2023 couples?
The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 couples were revealed during the spectacular Strictly launch show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 16 September and they are:
- Amanda AbbingtonandGiovanni Pernice
- Zara McDermottand Graziano Di Prima
- Jody Cundy CBEandJowita Przystal
- Krishnan Guru-MurthyandLauren Oakley
- Angela Rippon CBEand Kai Widdrington
- Layton WilliamsandNikita Kuzmin
- Nigel HarmanandKatya Jones
- Bobby BrazierandDianne Buswell
- Eddie KadiandKaren Hauer
- Annabel CroftandJohannes Radebe
- Ellie Leachand Vito Coppola
- Adam ThomasandLuba Mushtuk
- Angela ScanlonandCarlos Gu
- Nikita KandaandGorka Marquez
- Les DennisandNancy Xu
Meet the Strictly 2023 judges
Behind the judges' desks once again are acid tongued adjudicator Craig Revel Horwood, Let’s Dance Germany judge Motsi Mabuse, NTA winning judge Anton Du Beke and the Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas, who is back as Head Judge.
The fab-u-lous four have been sharing their thoughts on the 21st series of Strictly and revealing what they were up when they were 21.
Can you guess who was a baker by day and a dancer by night? Or who celebrated their 21st birthday in a haystack?
- Read more:Strictly Come Dancing 2023 Judges celebrate series 21 and explain why "sending somebody home is never easy"
In addition to all this, Dave Arch and his wonderful band are once again providing 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.
When is Strictly It Takes Two back?
Strictly It Takes Two returns to BBC Two from 6.30pm on 25 September. Fans can look forward to an exciting season, featuring dynamic duo Janette Manrara and Fleur East.
- Read more:Strictly It Takes Two's Janette Manrara and Fleur East tease "bigger, better and more glitzy" series full of laughs, honesty and backstage action
Fleur will bring her infectious energy to the It Takes Two stage. With her unique perspective as a Strictly finalist, Fleur is poised to offer insightful commentary and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses alongside Janette, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.
Janette's wealth of experience on the dance floor has made her a popular figure amongst contestants and viewers alike and she is ready once more to offer engaging interviews with this series’ celebrities and professional dancers.
Joanne Clifton will be back to front Choreography corner but this time she is tag-teaming with her brother Kevin Clifton. They will be breaking down how you can recreate some Fab-U-Lous dance moves at home and analysing the weekends dance moves.
Listen to the Strictly Come Dancing Official Podcast
Strictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast by BBC Studios returns for a new series on 16 September. The perfect accompaniment to the fan-favourite dance programme bringing more stories, secrets and behind-the-scenes interviews
Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Joe Sugg and Strictly superfan and producer Kim Winston are back on hosting duties bringing with them their extensive knowledge of the show and sharing listeners love of all things cha cha cha and waltz!
After each Sunday night results show airs on BBC One, fans can download the latest episode of the podcast on BBC Sounds where our hosts will reflect on that week’s results and take listeners backstage for news, interviews, games, laughter and tears. They’ll be speaking exclusively to the contestants, professional dancers, judges and the backstage crew who bring the party on the dancefloor to screens.
- Find out more aboutStrictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast here
