Strictly Come Dancing#Strictly African Dancing

Producer Richard Hopkins, who had produced the first British series of Big Brother, unsuccessfully pitched the idea of a modern Come Dancing to the BBC under the title of Pro-Celebrity Dancing in 2003.{{Cite news |date=12 January 2012 |title=Richard Hopkins |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/9011191/Richard-Hopkins.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111164943/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/obituaries/culture-obituaries/tv-radio-obituaries/9011191/Richard-Hopkins.html |archive-date=11 January 2018}} Later, entertainment executive Fenia Vardanis also suggested reviving Come Dancing, so Jane Lush, the then head of BBC Entertainment, put Hopkins and Vardanis together to develop the show.

Hopkins then called in Karen Smith, who had just produced Comic Relief Does Fame Academy for BBC One and The Games for Channel 4, to help lead the development of the show and launch the series. Smith was the show-running Executive Producer of the first three series, and of sister show It Takes Two.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Karen |title=Broadcast |work=Broadcast Magazine |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/people/executive-producers/5009420.article |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711225917/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/news/people/executive-producers/5009420.article |archive-date=11 July 2015}} She then took the role of Creative Director of BBC Entertainment whilst still overseeing series 4 and 5.{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Karen |title=Broadcast Karen Smith Promotion |publisher=Media Business Insight |agency=Broadcast |url=http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc-promotion/1099299.article |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150711235101/http://www.broadcastnow.co.uk/bbc-promotion/1099299.article |archive-date=11 July 2015}}{{Cite news |last=Smith |first=Karen |date=21 February 2006 |title=BBC's Karen Smith Promoted |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/feb/21/broadcasting.bbc1 |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150710035637/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2006/feb/21/broadcasting.bbc1 |archive-date=10 July 2015}}

Hopkins later took the format to America himself when the BBC dismissed the idea of selling it abroad, as they felt it was too British.{{Cite news |last=Hayward |first=Anthony |date=11 January 2012 |title=Richard Hopkins: Producer of 'Big Brother' and 'Strictly Come Dancing' |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-hopkins-producer-of-big-brother-and-strictly-come-dancing-6287682.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170915135844/http://www.independent.co.uk/news/obituaries/richard-hopkins-producer-of-big-brother-and-strictly-come-dancing-6287682.html |archive-date=15 September 2017}}

The title is an amalgamation of the titles of the 1992 Australian film Strictly Ballroom and Come Dancing.

From series 1 to 11, Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly presented the pro-celebrity ballroom dancing competition. From series 8 to 11, Forsyth only presented the main show and was replaced for the results show by Claudia Winkleman, at which point Daly assumed Forsyth's role as main presenter and Winkleman assumed Daly's role as co-presenter. Winkleman joined Daly as full-time co-presenter for series 12 following Forsyth's departure after the 2013 series. Through telephone voting, viewers vote for who they would like to be in the next round, the results of the poll being combined with the ranking of the judges. For example, with ten contestants left, the judges' favourite would receive ten points, second favourite nine points, and so on, and similarly with the viewers' rankings. The bottom ranked couple gets one point.{{Cite web |title=Strictly Come Dancing – How to vote |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/howtovote/terms.shtml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071015034533/http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/howtovote/terms.shtml |archive-date=15 October 2007 |access-date=5 January 2008 |publisher=BBC}} In the event of tied scoring from the judges by two or more contestants, the couple immediately below them gets one point below them, until the bottom ranked couple on the leaderboard who ends up getting at least 2 points instead of one.{{Cite web |title=BBC One - Strictly Come Dancing - About |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/16rGc8M34fT0wWYmrSMc8Cp/about |access-date=2024-12-02 |website=BBC |language=en-GB}} The profits from the telephone lines were donated to Sport Relief in series 1, to Children in Need from series 2, until series 8 when donations to charity stopped.

The show is broadcast live on BBC One on Saturday evenings, and is currently presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman (with Zoe Ball covering for Winkleman for a number of weeks in 2014). Sir Bruce Forsyth presented the live shows alongside Daly from 2004 to 2013, announcing his departure in 2014. He was to continue to present special editions of the show.{{Cite web |date=4 April 2014 |title=Sir Bruce Forsyth steps down from Strictly Come Dancing |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26889405 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140604042338/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26889405 |archive-date=4 June 2014 |access-date=6 June 2014 |publisher=BBC}} For most of the second series, Natasha Kaplinsky stood in temporarily for Daly while she took maternity leave; Claudia Winkleman hosted the results show and editions that Forsyth had missed between 2010 and 2013. The judging panel initially consisted of Bruno Tonioli, Arlene Phillips, Len Goodman and Craig Revel Horwood. Alesha Dixon took Phillips' place from series 7 to 9, after which she left the programme to judge Britain's Got Talent which led retired ballerina Dame Darcey Bussell to replace her.{{Cite news |last=Hallett |first=Emma |date=2 January 2012 |title=Alesha Dixon quits Strictly Come Dancing for Britain's Got Talent |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/alesha-dixon-quits-strictly-come-dancing-for-britains-got-talent-6284102.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112101441/http://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/alesha-dixon-quits-strictly-come-dancing-for-britains-got-talent-6284102.html |archive-date=12 January 2012}} Goodman left the show after the 2016 series and was replaced by Shirley Ballas. Bussell remained as judge until 2018, and was replaced by Motsi Mabuse in 2019. Up until 2020, Tonioli commuted weekly between Hollywood and London to judge both the American and British versions of the show simultaneously - however, due the outbreak of COVID-19 in 2020, he could no longer juggle both the UK and US shows - he was not replaced for the 2020 series; but pro dancer Anton Du Beke took his place from the 2021 series, and has now replaced Tonioli full-time on the panel. The current judging panel consists of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke, making Horwood the only judge to remain with the programme since its inception. Each judge gives the performance a mark out of ten, giving an overall total out of forty. The voice-over announcer is Alan Dedicoat. During series four, an hour-long highlights show was shown on Sundays at 19:00 on BBC Two, and during series five and six, the results show moved to Sunday evenings, although it was filmed on Saturday and then broadcast "as live" on the Sunday.

The singers on the show are Tommy Blaize, Hayley Sanderson, Lance Ellington, Andrea Grant and, formerly, the well-known British dance music vocalist Tara McDonald. The music director is David Arch. Tommy Blaize has been part of Strictly since its beginning. David Arch joined in the fourth series and Hayley Sanderson in the fifth. The original musical director from series 1 to 3 was Laurie Holloway. In the seventeenth series, the singers were joined by Mitchell.{{Cite web |title=the band |url=http://www.strictlycomedancingband.com/Strictly_Come_Dancing_Band/band.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191129052447/http://www.strictlycomedancingband.com/Strictly_Come_Dancing_Band/band.html |archive-date=29 November 2019 |access-date=23 November 2019 |website=www.strictlycomedancingband.com}}

The show was broadcast from a specially constructed set at BBC Television Centre (primarily in the largest studio, TC1{{Cite web |title=BBC Television Centre |url=http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/tv%20centre%20history.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141220032259/http://www.tvstudiohistory.co.uk/tv%20centre%20history.htm |archive-date=20 December 2014 |access-date=26 January 2019 |website=TV Studio History}}) until its closure in 2013, with the show moving to Elstree Studios' George Lucas Stage 2 from 2013 onwards. However, in the first two series, shows were also filmed at the Tower Ballroom in Blackpool, where the original Come Dancing series was filmed in the 1970s.{{Cite web |year=2004 |title=David Dickinson Strictly Come Dancing |url=http://www.david-dickinson.net/david-dickinson-strictly-come-dancing.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081206033328/http://www.david-dickinson.net/david-dickinson-strictly-come-dancing.htm |archive-date=6 December 2008 |access-date=19 October 2008 |publisher=David Dickinson Online}}{{Cite web |year=2004 |title=Filming locations for 'Strictly Come Dancing' (2004) |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411027/locations |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150709131720/http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411027/locations |archive-date=9 July 2015 |access-date=19 October 2008 |publisher=IMDb}}

In the second series, two shows were filmed at the Tower Ballroom – show five and the Grand Final, which was broadcast live on 11 December 2004.{{Cite news |date=18 November 2004 |title=Strictly a sellout for return of TV classic |work=Blackpool Gazette |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Strictly-a-sellout-for-return.890885.jp |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081210094721/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Strictly-a-sellout-for-return.890885.jp |archive-date=10 December 2008}}{{Cite news |date=12 December 2004 |title=Strictly Come Dancing wins ratings war |publisher=BreakingNews.ie |url=http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2004/1212/entertainment/kfidauauojql/ |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091022095627/http://www.breakingnews.ie/archives/2004/1212/entertainment/kfidauauojql |archive-date=22 October 2009}} In 2005 though the BBC announced that they would not be returning to the venue for the third series due to "logistical problems".{{Cite news |date=29 October 2005 |title=Strictly not dancing |work=Blackpool Gazette |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Strictly-not-dancing.1237732.jp |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081101230240/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Strictly-not-dancing.1237732.jp |archive-date=1 November 2008}} In October 2008, Craig Revel Horwood called for the series to return to the Tower Ballroom, saying, "The atmosphere was electric. It's huge and has so much history. The Tower Ballroom puts a lot of pressure on the professionals and the celebrities to perform to the best of their potential. What a wonderful place to go live to 12 million people. We have got to get the BBC to bring Strictly Come Dancing back to Blackpool." Eventually, for series 7, the show did return to the Tower Ballroom, where Blackpool-born Craig Kelly was eliminated. The episode was aired live on 7 November 2009.{{Cite news |last=Bennett |first=Julia |date=18 October 2008 |title=Strictly star wants show back in Blackpool |work=Blackpool Gazette |publisher=Johnston Publishing Ltd |url=http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Strictly-star-wants-show-back.4604768.jp |url-status=live |access-date=19 October 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081019194325/http://www.blackpoolgazette.co.uk/blackpoolnews/Strictly-star-wants-show-back.4604768.jp |archive-date=19 October 2008}} Strictly Come Dancing returned to Blackpool for the 2010[https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/nov/19/strictly-come-dancing-live-blog Strictly Come Dancing – live blog!] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170305115431/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/tvandradioblog/2010/nov/19/strictly-come-dancing-live-blog |date=5 March 2017 }} The Guardian, 20 November 2010 and 2011 series.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/07_july/30/strictly.shtml Strictly Come Dancing returns this Autumn with shows from Wembley and Blackpool] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110811223524/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2011/07_july/30/strictly.shtml |date=11 August 2011 }} BBC Press Office, 30 July 2011 After series 10, when Strictly Come Dancing did not go to Blackpool, they announced that they would return for series 11.{{Cite news |date=6 August 2013 |title=Strictly show returns to the Tower |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-23586049 |url-status=live |access-date=13 August 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130809073801/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-23586049 |archive-date=9 August 2013}} [Strictly Come Dancing announces that they will return to Blackpool Tower Ballroom for Series 11]

;Colour key:

{{columns-list|colwidth=20em|

{{legend|#ffc6c6|Host}}

{{legend|#ccff88|It Takes Two host}}

{{legend|#FFFF66|Judge}}

{{legend|#FF3399|Guest judge}}

{{legend|lightblue|Contestant}}

{{legend|#d293ff|Professional dancer}}

{{legend|#FF9944|Guest host}}

{{legend|#FF1111|It Takes Two host / Host}}

}}

;Notes

{{notelist}}

:{{See also|List of Strictly Come Dancing contestants{{!}}List of Strictly Come Dancing contestants}}

Each season, celebrities are paired with professional dance partners who instruct them in the various dance styles, design their choreography, and perform with them each week in the competition.

Many of the dancers from the show have formed both professional and personal partnerships. Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova are married,{{Cite news |date=26 May 2009 |title=Pas de deux: Strictly Come Dancing's Lilia Kopylova and Darren Bennett |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/may/26/strictly-come-dancing-lilia-kopylova-darren-bennett |url-status=live |access-date=21 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131021193351/http://www.theguardian.com/stage/2009/may/26/strictly-come-dancing-lilia-kopylova-darren-bennett |archive-date=21 October 2013}} as are James and Ola Jordan.{{Cite web |title=Biography – James Jordan |url=http://www.jamesandola.com/bioJames.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120520071631/http://www.jamesandola.com/bioJames.php |archive-date=20 May 2012 |access-date=21 May 2012 |publisher=James and Ola Jordan}} Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara, who became engaged after joining the show in 2013, were married in 2017.{{Cite news |last=Henden |first=Amalie |date=27 October 2018 |title=Janette Manrara and Aljaz Skorjanec: When did Strictly professionals get married? |language=en |work=Express.co.uk |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/1033034/Janette-Manrara-and-Aljaz-Skorjanec-wedding-when-did-Strictly-professionals-get-married |access-date=6 December 2021}} Matthew and Nicole Cutler are divorced, but remain professional partners;{{Cite web |title=Nicole Cutler's Official Website |url=http://www.nicolecutler.com/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231053318/http://www.nicolecutler.com/ |archive-date=31 December 2009 |access-date=9 January 2010}}{{Cite web |date=29 September 2006 |title=Strictly Come Dancing series four |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/09_september/29/strictly_dancers.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120104185155/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2006/9_september/29/strictly_dancers.shtml |archive-date=4 January 2012 |access-date=21 May 2012 |publisher=BBC Press Office}} Karen Hauer and Kevin Clifton were engaged when Clifton entered the show in 2013 and were married prior to the 2015 series, before divorcing in 2018, while Neil and Katya Jones entered the show as a married couple before separating in 2019. Anton Du Beke and Erin Boag have danced as a professional couple since 1997,{{Cite web |year=2011 |title=About the Partnership |url=http://www.antonanderin.com/About.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120208175027/http://www.antonanderin.com/About.html |archive-date=8 February 2012 |access-date=21 May 2012 |website=The Official site of Anton Du Beke & Erin Boag}} while Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace are former Argentine tango world champions as a duo and have done multiple tours together.{{Cite web |title=About Us |url=http://www.vincentandflavia.com/about.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121201103542/http://www.vincentandflavia.com/about.html |archive-date=1 December 2012 |access-date=9 January 2010 |publisher=Vincent and Flavia}} Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup danced together for many years, including a stint on the original series of Come Dancing;{{Cite web |title=Brendan Cole (New Zealand (Aotearoa)) & Camilla Dallerup (Denmark) |url=https://dancesportinfo.net/Couple/Brendan_Cole_and_Camilla_Dallerup_2679/Details |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=DancesportInfo}}{{Cite web |date=4 July 2007 |title="The last dance for Camilla and Brendan" |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2007/07_july/04/dance.shtml |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=bbc.co.uk}} following their split in 2004, Cole and Katya Virshilas formed a professional partnership before splitting in November 2009.{{Cite web |last=Virshilas |first=Katya |date=8 October 2009 |title=Dirty Dancing |url=http://www.katyavirshilas.com/2009/10/dirty-dancing/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222040629/http://www.katyavirshilas.com/2009/10/dirty-dancing/ |archive-date=22 February 2010 |access-date=9 January 2010 |website=Katya Virshilas' official website}}{{Cite web |last=Virshilas |first=Katya |date=30 November 2009 |title=Meet My New Pro: Klaus Kongsdal |url=http://www.katyavirshilas.com/2009/11/meet-my-new-pro-klaus-kongsdal/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100221031730/http://www.katyavirshilas.com/2009/11/meet-my-new-pro-klaus-kongsdal/ |archive-date=21 February 2010 |access-date=9 January 2010 |website=Katya Virshilas' official website}}{{Cite news |date=26 March 2012 |title=Katya's paired up for life |work=Kent Online |publisher=KM Group |url=http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/whats_on/2012/march/26/katyas_paired_up_for_life.aspx |url-status=dead |access-date=22 May 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130605214947/http://www.kentonline.co.uk/kentonline/whats_on/2012/march/26/katyas_paired_up_for_life.aspx |archive-date=5 June 2013}} Other current and former professional partnerships featured on the show include Dallerup and Ian Waite, Paul Killick and Hanna Karttunen,{{Cite web |title=DancesportInfo.net |url=http://www.dancesportinfo.net/Couple/Paul_Killick_and_Hanna_Karttunen_2800/Results.aspx |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=DancesportInfo.net}} Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala, Brian Fortuna and Kristina Rihanoff, Rihanoff and Robin Windsor,{{Cite web |title=k-r-journey |url=http://www.officialkristinarihanoff.com/images/k-r-journey/k-r-journey-60.jpg |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=www.officialkristinarihanoff.com}} Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis,{{Cite web |title=BBC One – Strictly Come Dancing – Pasha Kovalev |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/profiles/12ng941GJ4hjjny4JlYgqlY/pasha-kovalev |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=BBC}}{{Cite web |title=DancesportInfo.net |url=http://dancesportinfo.net/displayCouple.aspx?coupleId=7492 |access-date=6 December 2021 |publisher=DancesportInfo.net}} siblings Kevin and Joanne Clifton,{{Cite news |date=18 June 2013 |title=Stage Star to put on Show in Grimsby |work=Grimsby Telegraph |url=http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/strictly-hall-room-dancer-comes-home/story-19316874-detail/story.html#axzz2eJxBW01n |url-status=dead |access-date=6 December 2021 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130908175155/http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/strictly-hall-room-dancer-comes-home/story-19316874-detail/story.html%23axzz2eJxBW01n |archive-date=8 September 2013}} AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt, and Gorka Márquez and Karen Hauer.{{Cite web |date=14 April 2010 |title=4* Weekend Break with the stars of Strictly Come Dancing |url=http://www.donaheys.co.uk/events/dancing-with-the-stars-weekend/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=Donaheys.co.uk}}{{Cite web |title=Karen Hauer |url=https://www.intertalentgroup.com/client/karen-hauer/ |access-date=6 December 2021 |website=InterTalent Rights Group |language=en-GB}}

On average, dances last for approximately 90 seconds.{{Cite web |last=Wonnacott |first=Tim |title=Strictly Come Dancing 2014: Tim Wonnacott's diary |url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-08/tim-wonnacott-there-are-never-enough-practice-hours-for-strictly-come-dancing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141027212751/http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2014-10-08/tim-wonnacott-there-are-never-enough-practice-hours-for-strictly-come-dancing |archive-date=27 October 2014 |website=Radio Times}} Musical accompaniment is provided by an in-house band, led by Dave Arch.

From series 1 to 4, the results show was shown live on Saturday night one hour after the performances.

As of series 5, the results show is recorded on the Saturday night directly after the live show and incorporates the result of the viewers' votes, which are completed by 21:30. This was confirmed by the official BBC website in 2008:

{{blockquote|The Sunday show is recorded on Saturday night but no element involving the results of the vote will start recording until after lines are closed and votes counted and verified.[http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/vote/ Strictly Come Dancing Vote] BBC. Retrieved 18 October 2008 {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080929061605/http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/vote/ |date=29 September 2008 }}}}

Throughout the Sunday results show, the presenters refer to 'Saturday night' in reference to the main show due to the timing of the Sunday programme, and the outfits of Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman and the judges are changed to present an illusion of a second live broadcast.

For series 7, the Sunday results show was axed and put back to Saturday nights as a result of a revamp of the show.[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a170885/strictly-results-move-back-to-saturdays.html 'Strictly' results move back to Saturdays] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090813233155/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a170885/strictly-results-move-back-to-saturdays.html |date=13 August 2009 }} Digital Spy, 12 August 2009 It then reverted to Sundays from series 8.

{{unreferenced section |date=December 2015}}

A new system called the Dance-off, which takes place in the results show, was introduced in series 5. It continued until series 7, but did not return in series 8. It was then reinstated in series 10 and has remained a feature of the show ever since.

The Dance-off consists of the two couples who received the lowest totals that week from the combined judges' scores and public vote. The aim of the dance-off is for the couples to convince the judges that they deserve to go through to the following week's competition. Before they attempt their dance a second time, the couples sometimes get advice from the judges. The judges then decide which couple remains in the competition based on the dance-off performances. If three of the judges agree that one of the couples should be saved, that couple is through to the following week's competition and the Head Judge's vote is not counted. If one couple has two votes and the other couple has one vote, then the deciding vote is cast by the head judge, originally Len Goodman and currently Shirley Ballas. Afterwards, the eliminated couple perform one final dance – sometimes known as "waltzing out of the ballroom". The Monday after their elimination, they appear on It Takes Two to discuss their time on the programme.

On two occasions, the dance-off was cancelled; firstly, in series 14, in which one of the celebrity contestants, Anastacia, sustained an injury and was unable to compete in the Dance-off as a result. Under the rules of the show, the couple with the lowest combined total was eliminated. The second occasion in which the Dance-off was cancelled was in Series 20, again due to an injury sustained by Tony Adams. Tess Daly announced on the results show that Adams had decided to withdraw from the competition as a result of being unable to compete in the Dance-off.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two}}

During the run of Strictly Come Dancing, Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two is broadcast each weeknight on BBC Two. The series was previously hosted by Claudia Winkleman but, due to her pregnancy in 2011, she had to leave the series, and was replaced by Zoe Ball, who hosted the show from Series 9 to 18.[http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a328492/zoe-ball-to-host-strictly-come-dancing-spinoff-im-giddy-with-glee.html Zoë Ball to host 'Strictly Come Dancing' spinoff: "I'm giddy with glee"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710014601/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a328492/zoe-ball-to-host-strictly-come-dancing-spinoff-im-giddy-with-glee.html |date=10 July 2011 }} Digital Spy, 6 July 2011 Rylan Clark-Neal joined as co-host in series 17. In May 2021, it was announced that Ball was to leave the show after 10 years, and on 10 June 2021, her replacement was confirmed to be former professional Janette Manrara.{{Cite web |title=Janette Manrara to join BBC Two's Strictly: It Takes Two as new host |url=http://bbc.com/mediacentre/2021/janette-manrara-strictly-it-takes-two/ |access-date=10 June 2021 |website=bbc.com |language=en}}

The show features reviews of the performances during the previous Saturday's show and interviews with, and training footage of, the couples preparing for the next show. The judges and other celebrities also provide their opinions on how the couples are progressing. It Takes Two replaced Strictly Come Dancing on Three, hosted by Justin Lee Collins, which ran on BBC Three during the first series. Prior to 2010, BBC Two Scotland aired the programme on four nights only, running its own Gaelic-language programming on Thursdays instead.

{{Series overview

| auxA = Contestants

| infoA = Winners

| infoB = Runners-up

| color1 = #4c4aa6

| link1 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 1)

| auxA1 = 8

| episodes1 = 9

| start1 = {{Start date|2004|5|15|df=yes}}

| end1 = {{End date|2004|7|3|df=yes}}

| infoA1 = Natasha Kaplinsky & Brendan Cole

| infoB1 = Christopher Parker & Hanna Karttunen

| color2 = #8a7d89

| link2 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 2)

| auxA2 = 10

| episodes2 = 16

| start2 = {{Start date|2004|10|23|df=yes}}

| end2 = {{End date|2004|12|11|df=yes}}

| infoA2 = Jill Halfpenny & Darren Bennett

| infoB2 = Denise Lewis & Ian Waite

| color3 = #cf968b

| link3 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 3)

| auxA3 = 12

| episodes3 = 20

| start3 = {{Start date|2005|10|15|df=yes}}

| end3 = {{End date|2005|12|17|df=yes}}

| infoA3 = Darren Gough & Lilia Kopylova

| infoB3 = Colin Jackson & Erin Boag

| color4 = #950f18

| link4 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 4)

| auxA4 = 14

| episodes4 = 24

| start4 = {{Start date|2006|10|7|df=yes}}

| end4 = {{End date|2006|12|23|df=yes}}

| infoA4 = Mark Ramprakash & Karen Hardy

| infoB4 = Matt Dawson & Lilia Kopylova

| color5 = #ae7178

| link5 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 5)

| auxA5 = 14

| episodes5 = 24

| start5 = {{Start date|2007|10|6|df=yes}}

| end5 = {{End date|2007|12|22|df=yes}}

| infoA5 = Alesha Dixon & Matthew Cutler

| infoB5 = Matt Di Angelo & Flavia Cacace

| color6 = #b363b2

| link6 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 6)

| auxA6 = 16

| episodes6 = 28

| start6 = {{Start date|2008|9|20|df=yes}}

| end6 = {{End date|2008|12|20|df=yes}}

| infoA6 = Tom Chambers & Camilla Dallerup

| infoB6 = Rachel Stevens & Vincent Simone

| color7 = #5e125e

| link7 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 7)

| auxA7 = 16

| episodes7 = 19

| start7 = {{Start date|2009|9|18|df=yes}}

| end7 = {{End date|2009|12|19|df=yes}}

| infoA7 = Chris Hollins & Ola Jordan

| infoB7 = Ricky Whittle & Natalie Lowe

| color8 = #3c7f92

| link8 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 8)

| auxA8 = 14

| episodes8 = 26

| start8 = {{Start date|2010|10|1|df=yes}}

| end8 = {{End date|2010|12|18|df=yes}}

| infoA8 = Kara Tointon & Artem Chigvintsev

| infoB8 = Matt Baker & Aliona Vilani

| color9 = #323745

| link9 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 9)

| auxA9 = 14

| episodes9 = 25

| start9 = {{Start date|2011|9|30|df=yes}}

| end9 = {{End date|2011|12|17|df=yes}}

| infoA9 = Harry Judd & Aliona Vilani

| infoB9 = Chelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev

| color10 = #d6d6d6

| link10 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 10)

| auxA10 = 14

| episodes10 = 25

| start10 = {{Start date|2012|10|5|df=yes}}

| end10 = {{End date|2012|12|22|df=yes}}

| infoA10 = Louis Smith & Flavia Cacace

| infoB10 = Denise van Outen & James Jordan
Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev

| color11 = #f8f2e6

| link11 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 11)

| auxA11 = 15

| episodes11 = 27

| start11 = {{Start date|2013|9|27|df=yes}}

| end11 = {{End date|2013|12|21|df=yes}}

| infoA11 = Abbey Clancy & Aljaž Škorjanec

| infoB11 = Natalie Gumede & Artem Chigvintsev
Susanna Reid & Kevin Clifton

| color12 = #d2af7f

| link12 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 12)

| auxA12 = 15

| episodes12 = 27

| start12 = {{Start date|2014|9|26|df=yes}}

| end12 = {{End date|2014|12|20|df=yes}}

| infoA12 = Caroline Flack & Pasha Kovalev

| infoB12 = Frankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton
Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff

| color13 = #d9d9da

| link13 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 13)

| auxA13 = 15

| episodes13 = 27

| start13 = {{Start date|2015|9|25|df=yes}}

| end13 = {{End date|2015|12|19|df=yes}}

| infoA13 = Jay McGuiness & Aliona Vilani

| infoB13 = Georgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Kellie Bright & Kevin Clifton

| color14 = #99979e

| link14 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 14)

| auxA14 = 15

| episodes14 = 26

| start14 = {{Start date|2016|9|23|df=yes}}

| end14 = {{End date|2016|12|17|df=yes}}

| infoA14 = Ore Oduba & Joanne Clifton

| infoB14 = Danny Mac & Oti Mabuse
Louise Redknapp & Kevin Clifton

| color15 = #e8d1b7

| link15 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 15)

| auxA15 = 15

| episodes15 = 25

| start15 = {{Start date|2017|9|23|df=yes}}

| end15 = {{End date|2017|12|16|df=yes}}

| infoA15 = Joe McFadden & Katya Jones

| infoB15 = Alexandra Burke & Gorka Márquez
Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice
Gemma Atkinson & Aljaž Škorjanec

| color16 = #ffd5eb

| link16 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 16)

| auxA16 = 15

| episodes16 = 25

| start16 = {{Start date|2018|9|22|df=yes}}

| end16 = {{End date|2018|12|15|df=yes}}

| infoA16 = Stacey Dooley & Kevin Clifton

| infoB16 = Ashley Roberts & Pasha Kovalev
Faye Tozer & Giovanni Pernice
Joe Sugg & Dianne Buswell

| color17 = #ccb079

| link17 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 17)

| auxA17 = 15

| episodes17 = 25

| start17 = {{Start date|2019|9|21|df=yes}}

| end17 = {{End date|2019|12|14|df=yes}}

| infoA17 = Kelvin Fletcher & Oti Mabuse

| infoB17 = Emma Barton & Anton Du Beke
Karim Zeroual & Amy Dowden

| color18 = #84ccec

| link18 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 18)

| auxA18 = 12

| episodes18 = 17

| start18 = {{Start date|2020|10|24|df=yes}}

| end18 = {{End date|2020|12|19|df=yes}}

| infoA18 = Bill Bailey & Oti Mabuse

| infoB18 = HRVY & Janette Manrara
Jamie Laing & Karen Hauer
Maisie Smith & Gorka Márquez

| color19 = #e4698e

| link19 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 19)

| auxA19 = 15

| episodes19 = 25

| start19 = {{Start date|2021|9|25|df=yes}}

| end19 = {{End date|2021|12|18|df=yes}}

| infoA19 = Rose Ayling-Ellis & Giovanni Pernice

| infoB19 = John Whaite & Johannes Radebe

| color20 = #8dc0a7

| link20 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 20)

| auxA20 = 15

| episodes20 = 25

| start20 = {{Start date|2022|9|24|df=yes}}

| end20 = {{End date|2022|12|17|df=yes}}

| infoA20 = Hamza Yassin & Jowita Przystał

| infoB20 = Fleur East & Vito Coppola
Helen Skelton & Gorka Márquez
Molly Rainford & Carlos Gu

| color21 = #bfacc8

| link21 = Strictly Come Dancing (series 21)

| auxA21 = 15

| episodes21 = 25

| start21 = {{Start date|2023|9|23|df=yes}}

| end21 = {{End date|2023|12|16|df=yes}}

| infoA21 = Ellie Leach & Vito Coppola

| infoB21 = Bobby Brazier & Dianne Buswell
Layton Williams & Nikita Kuzmin

| color22 = #f5d0ca

| link22 = Strictly Come Dancing series 22

| auxA22 = 15

| episodes22 = 25

| start22 = {{Start date|2024|9|21|df=yes}}

| end22 = {{Start date|2024|12|14|df=yes}}

| infoA22 = Chris McCausland & Dianne Buswell

| infoB22 = Sarah Hadland & Vito Coppola
JB Gill & Lauren Oakley
Tasha Ghouri & Aljaž Škorjanec

}}

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 1{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 1}}

In May 2004, Strictly Come Dancing began its first series. This was the only series to air in the spring; all subsequent series aired in the autumn.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 2{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 2}}

The second series began in October 2004. A new spin-off show – Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two, presented by Claudia Winkleman – was created and has continued to air alongside each subsequent series on BBC Two.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 3{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 3}}

The third series began in October 2005.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 4{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 4}}

The fourth series began in October 2006.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 5{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 5}}

The fifth series began in September 2007. The first programme was a preview of the new series before the competition began. In a change to the previous format, the results show was recorded on Saturday and broadcast on Sunday, rather than shown live later on Saturday. Additionally, the two couples at the bottom of the table after the public vote were subject to a dance-off, where they performed their routine again for the judges, who decided which couple would leave the competition.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 6{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 6}}

A sixth series was confirmed after the dancers' pay dispute was called off in June 2008.{{Cite news |last=Fletcher |first=Alex |date=26 June 2008 |title='Strictly' dancers end pay row |work=Digital Spy |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a104277/strictly-dancers-end-pay-row.html |url-status=live |access-date=1 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080701023707/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/a104277/strictly-dancers-end-pay-row.html |archive-date=1 July 2008}} The sixth series began in September with a behind-the-scenes look at the new series, while the first live show aired on 20 September.{{Cite web |title=Programme Information Network TV Week 38 Saturday 13 September 2008 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk38/sat.shtml#sat_dancing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090110141639/http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/proginfo/tv/wk38/sat.shtml#sat_dancing |archive-date=10 January 2009 |access-date=31 August 2008 |publisher=BBC Press Office}}

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 7{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 7}}

The seventh series began in September 2009. Alesha Dixon joined the judging panel, replacing Arlene Phillips, who moved to The One Show.{{Cite news |date=9 July 2009 |title=Dixon joins Strictly dance judges |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8142139.stm |url-status=live |access-date=9 July 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118222938/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8142139.stm |archive-date=18 January 2021}}

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 8{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 8}}

The eighth series began in September 2010.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 9{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 9}}

The ninth season began in September 2011. The couples were paired up for the first time on the launch show. This was the last series to feature Alesha Dixon as a judge; she left the show to become a judge on Britain's Got Talent.

Zoë Ball replaced Claudia Winkleman as host of Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two due to Winkleman having just given birth.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 10{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 10}}

The tenth series began in September 2012. Darcey Bussell joined the judging panel, replacing Alesha Dixon.{{Cite web |title=Strictly Come Dancing: Darcey Bussell joins Strictly! |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/2012/04/darcy-bussell-joins-strictly.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120618082322/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/2012/04/darcy-bussell-joins-strictly.shtml |archive-date=18 June 2012 |access-date=22 June 2012 |publisher=BBC}}

{{main|Strictly Come Dancing series 11{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 11}}

The eleventh series began in September 2013.{{Cite web |title=Be in the audience – Strictly Come Dancing |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/strictly_come_dancing_2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826071300/http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/shows/strictly_come_dancing_2013 |archive-date=26 August 2013 |access-date=29 August 2013 |publisher=BBC}}

{{main|Strictly Come Dancing series 12{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 12}}

The series started on 7 September 2014 with a launch show,[http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/strictly_premiereshow_3sept14] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140807021559/http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/strictly_premiereshow_3sept14|date=7 August 2014}} followed by the live shows starting on 26 and 27 September.{{Cite web |title=BBC – Be in the audience – Strictly Come Dancing |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/strictly_come_dancing_2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140823224813/http://www.bbc.co.uk/showsandtours/shows/strictly_come_dancing_2014 |archive-date=23 August 2014}} This series was the first not to be presented by Sir Bruce Forsyth after announcing his departure from the live shows on 4 April (he made his final regular appearance in this series' launch show). However, Forsyth would continue to present special editions of the show, such as Children in Need and Christmas specials.{{Cite news |date=4 April 2014 |title=Sir Bruce Forsyth steps down as Strictly Come Dancing host |work=BBC News |publisher=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26889405 |url-status=live |access-date=14 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140410213231/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-26889405 |archive-date=10 April 2014}} It was announced on 9 May that Claudia Winkleman would join the main show as co-presenter and that her duties would mirror the existing result show format, with Tess Daly taking over Forsyth's role as main presenter and Winkleman taking Daly's role as co-presenter.{{Cite web |date=9 May 2014 |title=Tess and Claudia confirmed as our presenter line-up |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/posts/Tess-and-Claudia-confirmed-as-our-presenter-line-up |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140512014445/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/posts/Tess-and-Claudia-confirmed-as-our-presenter-line-up |archive-date=12 May 2014 |access-date=9 May 2014 |publisher=BBC}}

It was announced on 1 June 2014 that professional dancers Artem Chigvintsev, James Jordan and Anya Garnis would not be returning for the new series, although Garnis would remain on the show's choreography team. It was also announced that Tristan MacManus and Joanne Clifton would be joining the show's professional line-up.{{Cite web |date=1 June 2014 |title=Strictly Come Dancing: Artem Chigvintsev, James Jordan not returning – Strictly Come Dancing News – Reality TV |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a574743/strictly-come-dancing-artem-chigvintsev-james-jordan-not-returning.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605053206/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a574743/strictly-come-dancing-artem-chigvintsev-james-jordan-not-returning.html |archive-date=5 June 2014 |access-date=6 June 2014 |website=Digital Spy}} It was then announced in August that Robin Windsor had pulled out of the competition due to a back injury. Windsor was replaced by new professional Trent Whiddon.{{Cite web |date=6 August 2014 |title=Robin Windsor pulls out of Strictly Come Dancing after suffering back injury |url=http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/06/robin-windsor-pulls-out-of-strictly-come-dancing-after-suffering-back-injury-4822029/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006104410/http://metro.co.uk/2014/08/06/robin-windsor-pulls-out-of-strictly-come-dancing-after-suffering-back-injury-4822029/ |archive-date=6 October 2014 |publisher=Metro}} In week three, entertainer Donny Osmond joined the four regular judges, making the maximum score that week 50 points.{{Cite web |date=21 September 2014 |title=Donny Osmond to guest judge on Strictly Come Dancing |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a598047/donny-osmond-to-guest-judge-on-strictly-come-dancing.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006074214/http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/tv/s104/strictly-come-dancing/news/a598047/donny-osmond-to-guest-judge-on-strictly-come-dancing.html |archive-date=6 October 2014 |access-date=5 October 2014 |website=Digital Spy}} Due to Winkleman's absence in weeks 6, 7 and 8, It Takes Two presenter Zoë Ball co-presented with Daly.

{{main|Strictly Come Dancing series 13{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 13}}

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its thirteenth series with a launch show on 5 September 2015, followed by the live shows starting on 25 and 26 September.

On 23 April 2015, the list of professionals participating in the thirteenth series was revealed. Professionals from the last series who did not return included Trent Whiddon, Iveta Lukošiūtė and Joanne Clifton. Clifton would remain involved in group dances and would feature on Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two as a dance expert. Robin Windsor, absent from the previous series because of injury, also did not return for this series. Three new professional dancers were introduced: Russian dancer Gleb Savchenko (from the American, Australian and Russian versions of Dancing with the Stars), South African dancer Oti Mabuse (from Germany's Let's Dance) and Italian dancer Giovanni Pernice.{{Cite web |date=23 April 2015 |title=Strictly Come Dancing new professional dancers revealed – BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32432686 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150728162219/http://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-32432686 |archive-date=28 July 2015 |access-date=11 August 2015 |publisher=BBC}}

On 3 October 2015, the judges performed The Strictly, a signature dance made up of some iconic moves from the show's history for fans to do at home when they hear the theme tune; subsequently, a tutorial for the dance was made available on the show's website and iPlayer hosted by Natalie Lowe and Tristan MacManus.{{Cite web |title=Strictly Come Dancing – #DoTheStrictly – BBC One |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4QpcRTJQKn5qTnPxS7jC5cn/dothestrictly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151013043513/http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/4QpcRTJQKn5qTnPxS7jC5cn/dothestrictly |archive-date=13 October 2015 |access-date=13 October 2015 |publisher=BBC}}

Series 13 was the last to feature Tristan MacManus, Kristina Rihanoff, Ola Jordan, Gleb Savchenko and Aliona Vilani as professional dancers. Jordan later announced that she had quit the show, claiming that the results were "fixed". Vilani announced three days after winning that she was leaving the show; however, she participated in the 2016 live tour. Savchenko announced that he was leaving the show on 28 June 2016.{{Cite news |last=Darvill |first=Josh |date=28 June 2016 |title=Meet Strictly Come Dancing's new pros: Katya Jones, Oksana Platero, Gorka Marquez |publisher=Telly Mix |url=http://www.tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/strictly-come-dancing/266139-meet-strictly-come-dancings-new-pros-katya-jones-oksana-platero-gorka-marquez.html |url-status=live |access-date=29 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160629091955/http://www.tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/strictly-come-dancing/266139-meet-strictly-come-dancings-new-pros-katya-jones-oksana-platero-gorka-marquez.html |archive-date=29 June 2016}}

{{main|Strictly Come Dancing series 14{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 14}}

Strictly Come Dancing returned for its fourteenth series with a launch show on 3 September 2016 on BBC One. This was Len Goodman's final series as head judge.

On 28 June 2016, the list of professionals who were returning for the fourteenth series was revealed. Professionals from the last series who would not return included the previous series' champion and two-time professional winner of the show Aliona Vilani, former professional winner Ola Jordan and two-time professional finalist Kristina Rihanoff, as well as Gleb Savchenko and Tristan MacManus. Joanne Clifton returned after a one-series hiatus. The leaving professionals were replaced by Katya Jones, Burn the Floor dancer Gorka Márquez and former Dancing with the Stars US troupe member Oksana Platero.{{Cite web |date=28 June 2016 |title=BBC Blogs – Strictly Come Dancing – 2016 Strictly Professional Dancer line up revealed! |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/f245a196-3e06-4dd4-bdc7-a9de97ff0226 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160718195741/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/f245a196-3e06-4dd4-bdc7-a9de97ff0226 |archive-date=18 July 2016 |access-date=14 July 2016 |publisher=BBC}} On 26 July 2016, three more new professional dancers – AJ Pritchard, Chloe Hewitt and Neil Jones, husband of new dancer Katya – were announced.{{Cite web |date=26 July 2016 |title=Three new professional dancers join the Strictly Come Dancing line-up for 2016 |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/bbc-one-new-dancers-strictly |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160731185504/http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2016/bbc-one-new-dancers-strictly |archive-date=31 July 2016 |access-date=26 July 2016 |publisher=BBC Media Centre}} Hewitt and Neil Jones did not partner a celebrity as the professionals outnumbered the celebrities, although they were still in group dances and appeared on It Takes Two.

{{main|Strictly Come Dancing series 15{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 15}}

On 4 May 2017, it was announced that series 7 finalist Natalie Lowe would be departing the show. Five days later, on 9 May, Shirley Ballas announced that she would be replacing Len Goodman as head judge.{{Cite news |last=Brown |first=Mark |date=9 May 2017 |title='Queen of Latin' Shirley Ballas to be head judge on Strictly Come Dancing |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/09/queen-of-latin-shirley-ballas-replace-len-goodman-strictly-come-dancing-head-judge |url-status=live |access-date=15 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170914064539/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/may/09/queen-of-latin-shirley-ballas-replace-len-goodman-strictly-come-dancing-head-judge |archive-date=14 September 2017 |issn=0261-3077}} On 21 June 2017, Oksana Platero and the previous series' professional champion, Joanne Clifton, announced that they would also be leaving. The new professionals replacing them were Australian Open champion Dianne Buswell, Welsh dancer Amy Dowden, and Ukrainian two-time world champion Nadiya Bychkova. On 7 August, Nick Grimshaw announced that Mollie King was the first celebrity known to be taking part in the series. This was the first series to be broadcast since Sir Bruce Forsyth's death in August that year.{{Cite news |date=18 August 2017 |title=Sir Bruce Forsyth: TV legend dies aged 89 |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40978576 |url-status=live |access-date=18 August 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170818153841/http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-40978576 |archive-date=18 August 2017}}

{{main|Strictly Come Dancing series 16{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 16}}

On 30 January 2018, it was announced that Brendan Cole would no longer appear on the show.{{Cite web |last=McCreesh |first=Louise |date=30 January 2018 |title=Brendan Cole reveals he has been axed from Strictly Come Dancing |url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/strictly-come-dancing/news/a848738/brendan-cole-axed-strictly-come-dancing/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180624093448/http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/strictly-come-dancing/news/a848738/brendan-cole-axed-strictly-come-dancing/ |archive-date=24 June 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018 |website=Digital Spy}} On 30 May 2018, the full lineup of professional dancers was announced. Chloe Hewitt left the series and three new professional dancers – Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe and Luba Mushtuk – were announced to be joining the show. This meant that there were 18 professional dancers, the most in the show's history.{{Cite web |date=30 May 2018 |title=We reveal our biggest pro-dancer line-up ever! As a trio of outstanding dancers join the show |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/2c041434-fe0e-4566-bf45-b9f9e8ddfde7 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531065009/http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/2c041434-fe0e-4566-bf45-b9f9e8ddfde7 |archive-date=31 May 2018 |access-date=30 May 2018 |publisher=BBC}}

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 17{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 17}}

On 13 February 2019, professional dancer Pasha Kovalev announced that he was leaving the show after competing on it for eight years.{{Cite web |last=Earp |first=Catherine |date=13 February 2018 |title=Strictly Come Dancing confirms one of its professional dancers has quit after eight series |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a26319961/strictly-come-dancing-pasha-kovalev-quits-exit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190213194719/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a26319961/strictly-come-dancing-pasha-kovalev-quits-exit/ |archive-date=13 February 2019 |access-date=17 February 2018 |website=Digital Spy}} On 10 April 2019, it was announced that judge Darcey Bussell had left the show after seven years.{{Cite news |date=10 April 2019 |title=Dame Darcey Bussell decides to step down as judge from Strictly |work=BBC |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/6570af93-cd3a-46b0-955a-ff92a820d0e4 |url-status=live |access-date=10 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190417224300/https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/strictlycomedancing/entries/6570af93-cd3a-46b0-955a-ff92a820d0e4 |archive-date=17 April 2019}} On 22 July 2019, Motsi Mabuse was announced as the replacement for Bussell. On 30 July 2019, it was announced that Nancy Xu would be joining the cast of professional dancers.{{Cite news |title=Who is Nancy Xu? Strictly Come Dancing 2019 professional dancer guide |work=Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-12-14/who-is-nancy-xu-strictly-come-dancing-2019-professional-dancer-guide/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 February 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220081358/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2019-12-14/who-is-nancy-xu-strictly-come-dancing-2019-professional-dancer-guide/ |archive-date=20 February 2020}} On 5 September 2019, it was announced that Jamie Laing had withdrawn from the show due to a foot injury. He was later replaced by Kelvin Fletcher. In late October, Will Bayley left the competition due to a sustained leg injury.{{Cite news |date=30 October 2019 |title=Will Bayley leaves Strictly after leg injury |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50242471 |url-status=live |access-date=5 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191104164253/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50242471 |archive-date=4 November 2019}}

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 18{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 18}}

On 6 March 2020, Kevin Clifton announced that he was leaving the show after seven years.{{Cite web |last=Earp |first=Catherine |date=6 March 2020 |title=Strictly Come Dancing professional Kevin Clifton leaves the show |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a31259464/strictly-come-dancing-professional-kevin-clifton-leaves-quit/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215150701/https://www.digitalspy.com/tv/reality-tv/a31259464/strictly-come-dancing-professional-kevin-clifton-leaves-quit/ |archive-date=15 December 2020 |access-date=6 March 2020 |website=Digital Spy |language=en-GB}} On 26 March 2020, AJ Pritchard also announced that he was leaving the show after four years.{{Cite news |last=Daly |first=Helen |date=26 March 2020 |title=AJ Pritchard quits BBC show – here's why |publisher=Radio Times |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-03-26/strictly-come-dancing-aj-pritchard-quit/ |url-status=live |access-date=28 March 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200327045757/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-03-26/strictly-come-dancing-aj-pritchard-quit/ |archive-date=27 March 2020}} Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was confirmed that the series would be slightly shorter than planned.{{Cite news |date=24 June 2020 |title=Strictly Come Dancing 2020 to be shorter series |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53168872 |url-status=live |access-date=24 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200625060624/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53168872 |archive-date=25 June 2020}}{{Cite web |title=Strictly start date revealed as Blackpool set to go ahead during shorter series |url=https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-07-01/strictly-come-dancing-2020-start-date-blackpool/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200703134934/https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-07-01/strictly-come-dancing-2020-start-date-blackpool/ |archive-date=3 July 2020 |access-date=3 July 2020}}{{Cite web |last=Darvill |first=Josh |date=10 October 2020 |title=Strictly Come Dancing 2020 start date and line up for new series |url=https://tellymix.co.uk/reality-tv/strictly-come-dancing/446035-strictly-come-dancing-2020-start-date-line-up-confirmed.html |website=TellyMix}} Before the series began, the professional dancers and some of the crew isolated and tested for COVID-19 to then become a household. Strictly took over a hotel near the studios and the pro dancers learnt and filmed all the group routines for the series at once.{{Cite web |title=BBC One – Strictly Come Dancing – Strictly Come Dancing 2020 – COVID Contingencies |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2pzCYgJm5ZY0mKlQ9Z7BYvs/strictly-come-dancing-2020-covid-contingencies |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205123821/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/articles/2pzCYgJm5ZY0mKlQ9Z7BYvs/strictly-come-dancing-2020-covid-contingencies |archive-date=5 December 2020 |access-date=14 December 2020}} This allowed for the show to still include the professional group dances each week. On 21 August 2020, it was announced that Bruno Tonioli would not be on the judging panel but would appear virtually while he filmed Dancing with the Stars in the US. It was the first series since 2012 to begin in October.{{Cite web |date=21 August 2020 |title=Strictly Come Dancing's Bruno Tonioli to miss part of 2020 series |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53867049 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823214022/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-53867049 |archive-date=23 August 2020 |access-date=24 August 2020 |website=BBC News}} On 12 November 2020, Nicola Adams and Katya Jones were forced to withdraw from the competition after Jones tested positive for COVID-19.{{Cite news |date=12 November 2020 |title=Strictly Come Dancing: Nicola Adams exits after Katya Jones catches Covid |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54919497 |url-status=live |access-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112193125/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-54919497 |archive-date=12 November 2020}} On 19 December 2020, Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse were crowned the winners of the series, making Mabuse the second professional dancer to win the show twice and the first to win it consecutively, following her 2019 victory. This series featured the first all-female and same-sex partnership of Nicola Adams and Katya Jones.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 19{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 19}}

On 10 June 2021, it was announced that Janette Manrara would leave the show as a professional dancer and replace Zoe Ball as a new It Takes Two presenter. On 24 June, Anton Du Beke was announced as having joined the judging panel for this series instead of returning as a professional dancer, replacing Bruno Tonioli, who missed a second year due to continuing travel restrictions imposed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition to the remaining fourteen professional dancers from Series 18, all of whom returned for this series, four new professional dancers joined the show: Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystał, Kai Widdrington and Nikita Kuzmin.{{Cite web |last1=Pike |first1=Molly |last2=Methven |first2=Nicola |date=19 July 2021 |title=Strictly Come Dancing announces four new professional dancers for 2021 |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/breaking-strictly-come-dancing-announces-24564973 |access-date=22 July 2021 |website=Daily Mirror |language=en}}

This series marked the first time that two contestants withdrew from the competition. On 13 October 2021, Robert Webb withdrew from the competition for health reasons.{{Cite web |date=13 October 2021 |title=Robert Webb withdraws from Strictly Come Dancing |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58905864 |access-date=13 October 2021 |website=BBC News}} On 17 December 2021, AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the final after tearing a ligament in her right ankle.{{Cite web |date=17 December 2021 |title=Strictly Come Dancing: AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington pull out of final |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2021/dec/17/strictly-come-dancing-aj-odudu-partner-kai-widdrington-pull-out-final |access-date=17 December 2021 |website=The Guardian}}

The series saw the first couple with a deaf contestant, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis and the first all-male partnership of John Whaite and Johannes Radebe.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 20{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 20}}

The twentieth series began in September 2022.

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 21{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 21}}

The twenty-first series began in September 2023.

In April 2023, Rylan Clark announced that he was stepping down as co-host of It Takes Two. Fleur East, who was one of the finalists in series 20, was later announced as his replacement.{{Cite news |last=Moss |first=Molly |date=17 June 2023 |title=Strictly It Takes Two confirms Fleur East as new host and Rylan responds to replacement |work=Radio Times |url=https://radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/strictly-it-takes-two-host-fleur-east-rylan-replacement-newsupdate/ |url-status=live |access-date=20 July 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230628225833/https://www.radiotimes.com/tv/entertainment/strictly-it-takes-two-host-fleur-east-rylan-replacement-newsupdate/ |archive-date=28 June 2023}}

{{Main|Strictly Come Dancing series 22{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing series 22}}

The twenty-second series began in September 2024.

{{Main|List of Strictly Come Dancing specials{{!}}List of Strictly Come Dancing specials}}

Since the inception of Strictly Come Dancing in 2004, several special editions of the show have been transmitted by the BBC each year. These have included seasonal specials, charity specials, and variations of the Strictly Come Dancing format.

{{main|Strictly Come Dancing Live!{{!}}Strictly Come Dancing Live!}}

Strictly Come Dancing Live! is a nationwide arena tour staged every year since 2008.{{Cite news |date=12 October 2007 |title=BBC Dancing show to hit the road |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7041109.stm |url-status=live |access-date=5 January 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014003257/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/7041109.stm |archive-date=14 October 2007}}

{{csection|date=May 2025}}

On 13 December 2008, Strictly Come Dancing became the subject of press attention and viewer complaints about an error in the voting system during the semi-final of series six. In the show, three couples remained in the competition. After all three had performed and the judges had given their scores, two of the couples were in joint-first position on the leaderboard, with Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup in last place. This meant that, no matter how many public votes were cast in their favour, it was mathematically impossible for Chambers and Dallerup to avoid the dance-off. This oversight was initially unnoticed by producers until after the public vote became live and viewers were invited to call in and save their favourites at a cost of 15p per vote. Once the mistake was finally realised and the public vote was closed, it was announced that all three couples would be put through to the final, all the votes already cast would count towards the final result of the competition, and viewers could apply for a refund if they wished.{{Cite web |date=27 April 2009 |title=Ofcom Broadcast Bulletin – Issue number 132 |url=https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/45870/issue132.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925065306/https://www.ofcom.org.uk/__data/assets/pdf_file/0024/45870/issue132.pdf |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=25 September 2018 |publisher=Ofcom |pages=42–43}}

The BBC received 1800 complaints about the incident,{{Cite web |last=Deans |first=Jason |date=16 December 2008 |title=Strictly Come Dancing fans offered refund by BBC after voting fiasco as complaints top 1,800 |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/16/strictlycomedancing-bbc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925104331/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/dec/16/strictlycomedancing-bbc |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=24 September 2018 |website=The Guardian}} while media regulator Ofcom received 297. Jon Beazley, the BBC's Head of Entertainment Production, was interviewed on Strictly's spin-off show Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two on 15 December. He apologised for the oversight, referring to it as an "unprecedented situation". On the same day, the BBC posted a statement on its website, which clarified that an independent adjudicator had been consulted to reach a solution that would offer "fairness to the viewers who voted and the contestants themselves".{{Cite web |date=15 December 2008 |title=BBC – Strictly Come Dancing 2008 – News: Week 13 Results Update |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/2008/news/december/wk13_news_update_151208.shtml |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181102001449/http://www.bbc.co.uk/strictlycomedancing/2008/news/december/wk13_news_update_151208.shtml |archive-date=2 November 2018 |access-date=25 September 2018 |publisher=BBC}} The BBC also stated that, following the mistake, "the voting and judging mechanisms used in all BBC voting programmes [had] been thoroughly examined".

After conducting an investigation, Ofcom concluded that "the mistake had resulted from an oversight, rather than any shortcomings in the technical arrangements for voting or in the handling of votes received", and that they were "satisfied that appropriate steps were taken by the BBC and the disadvantage to viewers minimised". Ofcom also opined that "the BBC had been open and transparent with viewers about the mistake it made and the solution adopted".

In June 2009, tabloid newspaper The Sun reported that the then 66-year-old judge Arlene Phillips, who had judged the show since its inception in 2004, was to be replaced by series five winner Alesha Dixon, then aged 30.{{Cite news |date=18 June 2009 |title=Judge's Strictly exit unconfirmed |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8106527.stm |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925065258/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8106527.stm |archive-date=25 September 2018}} This was later confirmed by the BBC in July of that year.{{Cite web |last=Holmwood |first=Leigh |date=9 July 2009 |title=BBC denies ageism as Arlene Phillips shifted off Strictly Come Dancing |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jul/09/arlene-phillips-strictly-come-dancing-bbc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925141933/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2009/jul/09/arlene-phillips-strictly-come-dancing-bbc |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=25 September 2018 |website=The Guardian}} Subsequently, the BBC was accused of ageism and sexism by several sources,{{Cite news |last=Singh |first=Anita |date=16 July 2009 |title=Strictly Come Dancing's Arlene Phillips is a victim of ageism, says Harriet Harman |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/5844671/Strictly-Come-Dancings-Arlene-Phillips-is-a-victim-of-ageism-says-Harriet-Harman.html |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925065237/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/tvandradio/strictly-come-dancing/5844671/Strictly-Come-Dancings-Arlene-Phillips-is-a-victim-of-ageism-says-Harriet-Harman.html |archive-date=25 September 2018}} an accusation the corporation has faced before over the removal of several older female presenters, including Moira Stuart,{{Cite web |last=Cochrane |first=Kira |date=11 January 2011 |title=Miriam O'Reilly: 'Standing up to the BBC was the right thing to do' |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jan/11/miriam-oreilly-standing-up-bbc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925142030/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/jan/11/miriam-oreilly-standing-up-bbc |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=25 September 2018 |website=The Guardian}} Juliet Morris,{{Cite web |last=Holmwood |first=Leigh |date=28 November 2008 |title=Countryfile shifts to peak time but loses middle-aged female hosts |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/28/countryfile-bbc |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180701164844/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2008/nov/28/countryfile-bbc |archive-date=1 July 2018 |access-date=25 September 2018 |website=The Guardian}} Miriam O'Reilly, Michaela Strachan, Charlotte Smith and Anna Ford.{{Cite web |last=Hagerty |first=Bill |date=27 August 2007 |title=Interview with Anna Ford |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/aug/27/mondaymediasection.television |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925142034/https://www.theguardian.com/media/2007/aug/27/mondaymediasection.television |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=25 September 2018 |website=The Guardian}} The BBC denied the allegations that the decision to remove Phillips was due to her age.

Furthermore, Dixon herself was criticised after the debut episode of the seventh series, the first to feature her as a judge. A total of 272 complaints were received by the BBC – bringing the total number about Dixon joining the programme to over 4000 – along with over 5000 comments on Strictly Come Dancing's internet message board.{{Cite news |date=21 September 2009 |title=Complaints over Strictly's Dixon |work=BBC News |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8266534.stm |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925065334/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/8266534.stm |archive-date=25 September 2018}} Dixon was compared unfavourably to Phillips, with claims that the former was "unsuitable", "unqualified" and lacked "knowledge, experience and talent". However, Dixon was praised and defended from her critics by the BBC, by fellow judge Craig Revel Horwood and by Phillips herself.{{Cite web |last=Brook |first=Stephen |date=21 September 2009 |title=Alesha Dixon's debut as Strictly judge draws more than 250 complaints |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/21/alesha-dixon-strictly-come-dancing |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131220170042/http://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2009/sep/21/alesha-dixon-strictly-come-dancing |archive-date=20 December 2013 |access-date=25 September 2018 |website=The Guardian}}

In 2015, in an interview with the Daily Mirror, Egghead C. J. de Mooi said that he was turned down for the show because he had wanted to dance with a same-sex partner. The BBC denied that de Mooi had ever been under consideration for the show,{{Cite news |last=McCormick |first=Joseph Patrick |date=4 September 2015 |title=BBC denies dropping TV star from Strictly after he asked for a same-sex partner |work=PinkNews |url=https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/04/this-tv-star-says-strictly-dumped-him-after-he-asked-for-a-same-sex-partner/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005126/https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2015/09/04/this-tv-star-says-strictly-dumped-him-after-he-asked-for-a-same-sex-partner/ |archive-date=28 March 2019}} and also declared that "Strictly is a family show and we have chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples".{{Cite news |last=Watts |first=Halina |date=5 September 2015 |title=Strictly hasn't started but there's already been a bust-up |work=Daily Mirror |url=https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictly-come-dancing-reject-cj-6384863 |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925180717/https://www.mirror.co.uk/tv/tv-news/strictly-come-dancing-reject-cj-6384863 |archive-date=25 September 2018}} The press has reported on the issue on numerous occasions when gay celebrities have appeared on the show, including Will Young,{{Cite news |date=20 September 2017 |title=Will Young Weighs in On 'Strictly Come Dancing' Same-Sex Couples Debate |work=HuffPost |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/strictly-come-dancing-same-sex-couples-will-young_uk_59c287cde4b087fdf50991b2 |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925180705/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/strictly-come-dancing-same-sex-couples-will-young_uk_59c287cde4b087fdf50991b2 |archive-date=25 September 2018}} Susan Calman,{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Zoe |date=12 September 2017 |title=Susan Calman same-sex pairing row: is fancying your partner Strictly necessary? |url=https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/sep/12/strictly-come-dancing-susan-calman-gender-gay-partner-television |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925220016/https://www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio/2017/sep/12/strictly-come-dancing-susan-calman-gender-gay-partner-television |archive-date=25 September 2018 |access-date=25 September 2018 |website=The Guardian}} Robert Rinder,{{Cite news |date=18 September 2017 |title=Judge Rinder Weighs in On 'Strictly Come Dancing' Same-Sex Partners Debate |work=HuffPost |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/judge-rinder-strictly-come-dancing_uk_59bfd246e4b086432b08c0ce?a4g |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925180759/https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/judge-rinder-strictly-come-dancing_uk_59bfd246e4b086432b08c0ce?a4g |archive-date=25 September 2018}} Richard Coles{{Cite news |last=Ward |first=Victoria |date=3 August 2018 |title=Strictly Come Dancing will not have same-sex couples this year |work=The Daily Telegraph |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/03/strictly-come-dancing-will-not-have-same-sex-couples-year/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925215759/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2018/08/03/strictly-come-dancing-will-not-have-same-sex-couples-year/ |archive-date=25 September 2018}} and Ranj Singh.{{Cite news |date=22 August 2018 |title=Shirley Ballas backs Dr Ranj to have same sex partner on Strictly Come Dancing |work=Metro |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/22/shirley-ballas-backs-dr-ranj-to-have-same-sex-partner-on-strictly-its-two-humans-moving-to-music-7871107/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925215810/https://metro.co.uk/2018/08/22/shirley-ballas-backs-dr-ranj-to-have-same-sex-partner-on-strictly-its-two-humans-moving-to-music-7871107/ |archive-date=25 September 2018}} Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood{{Cite news |date=24 September 2018 |title=Strictly's Craig Revel Horwood backs same-sex couples being added to the show |work=Metro |url=https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/24/strictlys-craig-revel-horwood-backs-campaign-for-same-sex-couples-to-be-added-to-the-show-7974389/ |url-status=live |access-date=25 September 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180925120036/https://metro.co.uk/2018/09/24/strictlys-craig-revel-horwood-backs-campaign-for-same-sex-couples-to-be-added-to-the-show-7974389/ |archive-date=25 September 2018}} have both expressed their support for introducing same-sex couples.

Same-sex partnerships have been featured on several international versions of the show, including Italy (2018), Australia (2019) and Denmark (2019).{{Cite news |last=Hudson |first=David |date=11 May 2018 |title=Same-sex couple reach Dancing with the Stars grand final |work=Gay Star News |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/same-sex-ciacci-dancing-with-stars/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180513135317/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/same-sex-ciacci-dancing-with-stars/ |archive-date=13 May 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Morgan |first=Joe |date=18 February 2019 |title=Courtney Act wows with first Dancing With The Stars Australia same-sex pairing |work=Gay Star News |url=https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/courtney-act-wows-with-first-dancing-with-the-stars-australia-same-sex-pairing/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190320050029/https://www.gaystarnews.com/article/courtney-act-wows-with-first-dancing-with-the-stars-australia-same-sex-pairing/ |archive-date=20 March 2019}}{{Cite news |last=McLaughlin |first=Chelsea |date=19 February 2019 |title=Everything you need to know about Courtney Act, Dancing With The Stars' 2019 frontrunner |work=MamaM!a |url=https://www.mamamia.com.au/courtney-act-dancing-with-the-stars-australia-2019/ |url-status=live |access-date=11 March 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190328005205/https://www.mamamia.com.au/courtney-act-dancing-with-the-stars-australia-2019/ |archive-date=28 March 2019}} On 3 November 2019, Johannes Radebe and fellow professional Graziano Di Prima performed together to Emeli Sandé's "Shine" on the Sunday results episode, the show's first individual same-sex dance.{{Cite news |date=4 November 2019 |title=Johannes 'felt so liberated' doing Strictly dance |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50287263 |url-status=live |access-date=7 May 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191114145526/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-50287263 |archive-date=14 November 2019}} On 2 September 2020, it was announced that boxer Nicola Adams would feature in the show's first same-sex couple for its eighteenth series.{{Cite news |date=2 September 2020 |title=Strictly Come Dancing: Ex-boxer Nicola Adams to have same-sex dance partner |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53989693 |url-status=live |access-date=2 September 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200902074224/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-53989693 |archive-date=2 September 2020}} She was partnered with professional dancer Katya Jones. In 2021, it was announced that John Whaite would feature in the first all-male same-sex couple with Johannes Radebe for the nineteenth series, with the two of them eventually finishing as the runners-up.{{Cite web |date=5 August 2021 |title=Strictly Come Dancing: John Whaite to be in first all-male partnership |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-58089932 |access-date=5 August 2021 |publisher=BBC News |language=en}} The United States version of the show would also have a same-sex couple that same year, with JoJo Siwa & Jenna Johnson. Series 20 also included same-sex partnerships with Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice in an all-male partnership and Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer in an all-female partnership.{{cite web |last1=Jones |first1=Gemma |title=Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Full list of pairings and professionals without partners |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/tv/strictly-come-dancing-2022-full-25096629 |website=Liverpool Echo |access-date=15 October 2022 |date=23 September 2022}} In Series 21, Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin competed as an all-male partnership, eventually finishing as one of the two runners-up couples.{{cite web|url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/tv/bbc-strictly-come-dancing-2023-27726792|title=BBC Strictly Come Dancing 2023: Full list of celebrities and professional partners|work=Manchester Evening News|first1=Jessica|last1=Sansome|first2=Phoebe|last2=Jobling|date=16 September 2023|accessdate=17 September 2023|language=en-GB}}

In January 2024, The Sun reported that Amanda Abbington requested footage of her time training with Giovanni Pernice and was seeking legal advice over his training methods.{{Cite web |date=2024-01-07 |title=Amanda Abbington 'requests Strictly Come Dancing rehearsal footage' amid legal advice |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/amanda-abbington-strictly-dancing-giovanni-pernice-b2474536.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The Independent |language=en}} In March 2024, The Sun said that Abbington, Laura Whitmore and Ranvir Singh had met to discuss their negative experiences with Pernice on the show. Legal firm Carter Ruck told BBC News there were "numerous serious complaints" about his behaviour while filming Strictly Come Dancing.{{Cite news |date=2024-05-19 |title=Strictly Come Dancing star Giovanni Pernice rejects claims over teaching methods |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-69034518 |access-date=2024-07-17 |work=BBC News |language=en-GB}} On 16 May, it was reported by The Sun that Pernice had quit the show. Pernice denied all accusations of wrongdoing. His departure was confirmed by the BBC on 10 June.{{Cite web |date=2024-06-10 |title=Giovanni Pernice will not return to Strictly Come Dancing |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgeedq2zjjeo |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

In July 2024, the BBC's probe into misconduct brought further claims made by production staff, who observed Graziano Di Prima's behaviour towards dance partner Zara McDermott during the 2023 series. A source speaking to The Sun claimed that footage showing Di Prima's alleged treatment of McDermott "reduced those who have seen it to tears".{{Cite web |date=2024-07-16 |title=Timeline of Strictly scandals: From Graziano Di Prima to Giovanni Pernice claims |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/strictly-graziano-di-prima-zara-mcdermott-giovanni-pernice-timeline-b2580551.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The Independent |language=en}} In a statement Di Prima said that he "deeply regretted his actions that led to his departure from [the show]".{{Cite web |title=Graziano Di Prima to leave Strictly Come Dancing |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4ngl4qkjgeo |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=www.bbc.com |date=13 July 2024 |language=en-GB}} The BBC has announced that Di Prima has left the show, and in the future a member of the production team would be present at all times during rehearsals.{{Cite web |date=2024-07-16 |title=Strictly Come Dancing: BBC to introduce chaperones in rehearsal rooms |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cv2gkrlvkyno |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=BBC News |language=en-GB}}

A third professional dancer has been identified as a "person of interest".{{Cite web |date=2024-07-17 |title=Third Strictly Come Dancing star named as 'person of interest' amid scandal |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/tv/news/strictly-come-dancing-bbc-graziano-zara-dancers-b2581097.html |access-date=2024-07-17 |website=The Independent |language=en}}

In 2024 Wynne Evans became embroiled in controversy after allegedly making a sexualized remark about dancer Janette Manrara during a Strictly live tour photocall, which was reported by the press and led to public backlash and accusations of misogyny. Evans denied the remark was sexual or directed at Manrara, explaining it was an inside joke nickname for fellow contestant Jamie Borthwick, but nonetheless issued an apology and agreed to step back from his BBC radio show and the tour to focus on his wellbeing. The scandal was compounded by a separate incident involving a TikTok "body language experiment" with dance partner Katya Jones, which was misinterpreted and also prompted an apology. Throughout, Evans maintained that his actions were misunderstood and expressed regret over the effect on his reputation.{{Cite web |last=Morgan |first=Holly |date=2025-05-25 |title=Wynne Evans breaks silence about 'heartbreak' after Strictly scandal |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wynne-evans-heartbreak-breaks-silence-31718441 |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Wales Online}}{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Jess |date=2025-05-25 |title=Wynne Evans finally gives his side of Strictly sex scandal 'An experiment' |url=https://www.express.co.uk/celebrity-news/2059875/wynne-evans-strictly-sex-scandal-experiment |access-date=2025-05-25 |website=Express.co.uk}}

An example of Strictly Come Dancing{{'}}s popularity is that, after episodes, electricity use in the United Kingdom rises significantly as viewers who have waited for the show to end begin boiling water for tea, a phenomenon known as TV pick-up. National Grid personnel watch the show to know when closing credits begin so they can prepare for the surge.{{Cite news |last=Carrington |first=Damian |date=20 December 2013 |title=Strictly Come Dancing: National Grid prepares for biggest surge of the year |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/20/strictly-come-dancing-bbc-national-grid |url-status=live |access-date=19 January 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150120080254/http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2013/dec/20/strictly-come-dancing-bbc-national-grid |archive-date=20 January 2015}}

All ratings are from BARB. Series averages exclude Christmas special and launch show.

The show has won a highly prestigious Rose D'Or award for 'Best Variety Show', beating off competition from reality shows from twelve other different countries.{{Cite web |last=Wolfe |first=Ronald |date=23 May 2005 |title=Programme for change – Rose d'Or awards |url=http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/2005/05/programme-for-change-rose-dor-awards/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140320174816/http://www.thestage.co.uk/features/2005/05/programme-for-change-rose-dor-awards/ |archive-date=20 March 2014 |access-date=20 March 2014 |website=The Stage}} It has also won two awards for 'Best Reality Show' at the TRIC Awards and two at the TV Quick Awards for 'Best Talent Show'. It has also received four BAFTA Award nominations.{{Cite web |title=Entertainment & Events Awards |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/production/entertainmentandevents/awards.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160108211720/http://www.bbc.co.uk/production/entertainmentandevents/awards.html |archive-date=8 January 2016 |access-date=20 March 2014 |publisher=BBC}}

The show won the award of 'Most Popular Talent Show' at the National Television Awards in 2008, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 , 2023 and 2024{{Cite web |title=Mr Bates v The Post Office wins big at the NTAs - as scandal-hit Strictly Come Dancing takes best talent show |url=https://news.sky.com/story/mr-bates-v-the-post-office-wins-big-at-the-ntas-as-scandal-hit-strictly-come-dancing-takes-best-talent-show-13213181 |access-date=2024-09-12 |website=Sky News |language=en}}

In the Guinness Book of World Records 2010 edition, the format of Strictly Come Dancing was named the most successful television show with the format being sold to more than 38 countries worldwide.

In 2016, BBC Worldwide commissioned a match-3 mobile app game published by Donut Publishing and developed by Exient Entertainment. The game uses a mix of hand animation and motion-captured data for all the dances in the game, using pro dancers from the show (Chloe Hewitt and Neil Jones). The mo-cap process was featured on It Takes Two in the build-up to the release of the app. The game features over 150 dresses and 9 dances: Quickstep, Jive, Tango, Salsa, Charleston, Viennese Waltz, Rumba, Cha Cha Cha, and Paso Doble. It was released on the App Store and Google Play in early 2016 and is regularly updated with new dance features alongside new seasons of the show.{{Cite web |title=Strictly Come Dancing – Apps on Google Play |url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.donutpublishing.eclairuk&hl=en_GB |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210118222939/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.donutpublishing.eclairuk&hl=en_GB |archive-date=18 January 2021 |access-date=7 May 2020 |website=play.google.com |language=en}}

{{Portal|Television|United Kingdom}}

• Just the Two of Us (TV series) – the same format, with singing instead of dancing
• Let's Dance for Comic Relief

{{Reflist|30em}}

• Smith, Rupert (2005) Strictly Come Dancing; dance consultant: Len Goodman. London: BBC Books {{ISBN|0-563-52293-3}}

• {{BBC programme}}
• {{IMDb title|id=0411027|title=Strictly Come Dancing}}
• {{UKGameshow|Strictly_Come_Dancing}}
• [http://www.biogs.com/strictlycomedancing/index.html Strictly Come Dancing] Biogs.com

{{Strictly Come Dancing}}

{{Dancing with the Stars}}

Category:2004 British television series debuts

Category:2010s British television series

Category:2020s British television series

Category:Ballroom dance

Category:British English-language television shows

Category:Television series produced at Pinewood Studios

Category:Television series by BBC Studios

Category:Television shows shot at Elstree Film Studios

Category:BAFTA winners (television series)