Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing
GenreDance talent show
Created by
Developed byKaren Smith
Presented by
Judges
Narrated byAlan Dedicoat
Theme music composer
  • Dan McGrath
  • Josh Phillips
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Original languageEnglish
No. of series20
No. of episodes366
Production
Executive producers
  • Karen Smith (2004–2006)
  • Sam Donnelly (2007–2009)
  • Moira Ross (2010–2011)
  • Glenn Coomber (2012)
  • Andrea Hamilton (2012)
  • Louise Rainbow (2013–2018)
  • Sarah James (2019–present)
Production locations
Camera setupMulti-camera
Running time30–120 minutes
Production companyBBC Studios
Original release
NetworkBBC One
Release15 May 2004 (2004-05-15) –
present
Related

Strictly Come Dancing is a British dance contest show in which celebrities partner with professional dancers to compete in mainly ballroom and Latin dance. Each couple is scored by a panel of judges. The title of the show is a continuation of the long-running series Come Dancing. The format has been exported to 60 other countries under the title Dancing with the Stars, licensed by BBC Worldwide, and led to a modern dance-themed spin-off Strictly Dance Fever. The Guinness World Records named Strictly as the world's most successful reality television format in 2010. The series is currently presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Bruce Forsyth co-presented the series with Daly until 2014.

The series has been broadcast on BBC One since 15 May 2004, typically on Saturday evenings with a following Sunday night results show. From series 2 onwards, the show has been broadcast in the run up to Christmas. With its high viewing figures, Strictly Come Dancing has become a significant programme on British television. Eighteen stand-alone Christmas specials and nineteen charity specials have also been produced.

Development

Producer Richard Hopkins, who had produced the first UK 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. 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. She then took the role of Creative Director of BBC Entertainment whilst still overseeing series 4 and 5.

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.

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

Format

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. 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. 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. 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.

The show was broadcast from a specially constructed set at BBC Television Centre (primarily in the largest studio, TC1) 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.

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. In 2005 though the BBC announced that they would not be returning to the venue for the third series due to "logistical problems". 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. Strictly Come Dancing returned to Blackpool for the 2010 and 2011 series. After series 10, when Strictly Come Dancing did not go to Blackpool, they announced that they would return for series 11.

Cast

Presenters and judges

Color key
 Host
 It Takes Two host
 Judge
 Guest judge
 Contestant
 Professional dancer
Cast member Series
1
2004
2
2004
3
2005
4
2006
5
2007
6
2008
7
2009
8
2010
9
2011
10
2012
11
2013
12
2014
13
2015
14
2016
15
2017
16
2018
17
2019
18
2020
19
2021
20
2022
21
2023
Tess Daly
Bruce Forsyth
Natasha Kaplinsky
Claudia Winkleman
Zoe Ball
Rylan Clark
Janette Manrara
Fleur East
Len Goodman
Arlene Phillips
Craig Revel Horwood
Bruno Tonioli
Alesha Dixon
Darcey Bussell
Shirley Ballas
Motsi Mabuse
Anton Du Beke
Notes
  1. ^ In the twelfth series, Ball co-presented three weeks of the main show with Tess Daly while Claudia Winkleman was on maternity leave.
  2. ^ Du Beke also served as a guest judge during weeks 4 and 5 of the eighteenth series.

Professional dancers

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.

Professional dancer Series
1
2004
2
2004
3
2005
4
2006
5
2007
6
2008
7
2009
8
2010
9
2011
10
2012
11
2013
12
2014
13
2015
14
2016
15
2017
16
2018
17
2019
18
2020
19
2021
20
2022
21
2023
Brendan Cole
Anton Du Beke
Hanna Karttunen
Kylie Jones
Paul Killick
John Byrnes
Camilla Dallerup
Erin Boag
Nicole Cutler
Hazel Newberry
Ian Waite
Lilia Kopylova
Darren Bennett
Matthew Cutler
Hanna Haarala
Andrew Cuerden
Karen Hardy
Izabela Hannah
Flavia Cacace
Ola Jordan
Vincent Simone
James Jordan
Hayley Holt
Kristina Rihanoff
Brian Fortuna
Aliona Vilani
Katya Virshilas
Natalie Lowe
Robin Windsor
Jared Murillo
Artem Chigvintsev
Pasha Kovalev
Karen Hauer
Iveta Lukošiūtė
Kevin Clifton
Janette Manrara
Anya Garnis
Aljaž Škorjanec
Joanne Clifton
Trent Whiddon
Tristan MacManus
Oti Mabuse
Gleb Savchenko
Giovanni Pernice
Oksana Platero
Gorka Márquez
Katya Jones
AJ Pritchard
Amy Dowden
Nadiya Bychkova
Dianne Buswell
Graziano Di Prima
Neil Jones
Johannes Radebe
Luba Mushtuk
Nikita Kuzmin
Nancy Xu
Kai Widdrington
Carlos Gu
Jowita Przystał
Vito Coppola
Lauren Oakley

Many of the dancers from the show have formed both professional and personal partnerships. Darren Bennett and Lilia Kopylova are married, as are James and Ola Jordan. Aljaž Škorjanec and Janette Manrara, who became engaged after joining the show in 2013, were married in 2017. Matthew and Nicole Cutler are divorced, but remain professional partners; 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, while Vincent Simone and Flavia Cacace are former Argentine tango world champions as a duo and have done multiple tours together. Brendan Cole and Camilla Dallerup danced together for many years, including a stint on the original series of Come Dancing; following their split in 2004, Cole and Katya Virshilas formed a professional partnership before splitting in November 2009. Other current and former professional partnerships featured on the show include Dallerup and Ian Waite, Paul Killick and Hanna Karttunen, Andrew Cuerden and Hanna Haarala, Brian Fortuna and Kristina Rihanoff, Rihanoff and Robin Windsor, Pasha Kovalev and Anya Garnis, siblings Kevin and Joanne Clifton, AJ Pritchard and Chloe Hewitt, and Gorka Márquez and Karen Hauer.

Presentation

Dances

On average, dances last for approximately 90 seconds. Musical accompaniment is provided by The Strictly Come Dancing Band.

Results show

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:

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.

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. It then reverted to Sundays from series 8.

Dance-off

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.

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. 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.

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

SeriesContestantsEpisodesOriginally airedWinnersRunners-up
First airedLast aired
18915 May 2004 (2004-05-15)3 July 2004 (2004-07-03)Natasha Kaplinsky & Brendan ColeChristopher Parker & Hanna Karttunen
2101623 October 2004 (2004-10-23)11 December 2004 (2004-12-11)Jill Halfpenny & Darren BennettDenise Lewis & Ian Waite
3122015 October 2005 (2005-10-15)17 December 2005 (2005-12-17)Darren Gough & Lilia KopylovaColin Jackson & Erin Boag
414247 October 2006 (2006-10-07)23 December 2006 (2006-12-23)Mark Ramprakash & Karen HardyMatt Dawson & Lilia Kopylova
514246 October 2007 (2007-10-06)22 December 2007 (2007-12-22)Alesha Dixon & Matthew CutlerMatt Di Angelo & Flavia Cacace
6162820 September 2008 (2008-09-20)20 December 2008 (2008-12-20)Tom Chambers & Camilla DallerupRachel Stevens & Vincent Simone
7161918 September 2009 (2009-09-18)19 December 2009 (2009-12-19)Chris Hollins & Ola JordanRicky Whittle & Natalie Lowe
814261 October 2010 (2010-10-01)18 December 2010 (2010-12-18)Kara Tointon & Artem ChigvintsevMatt Baker & Aliona Vilani
9142530 September 2011 (2011-09-30)17 December 2011 (2011-12-17)Harry Judd & Aliona VilaniChelsee Healey & Pasha Kovalev
1014255 October 2012 (2012-10-05)22 December 2012 (2012-12-22)Louis Smith & Flavia CacaceDenise van Outen & James Jordan
Kimberley Walsh & Pasha Kovalev
11152727 September 2013 (2013-09-27)21 December 2013 (2013-12-21)Abbey Clancy & Aljaž ŠkorjanecNatalie Gumede & Artem Chigvintsev
Susanna Reid & Kevin Clifton
12152726 September 2014 (2014-09-26)20 December 2014 (2014-12-20)Caroline Flack & Pasha KovalevFrankie Bridge & Kevin Clifton
Simon Webbe & Kristina Rihanoff
13152725 September 2015 (2015-09-25)19 December 2015 (2015-12-19)Jay McGuiness & Aliona VilaniGeorgia May Foote & Giovanni Pernice
Kellie Bright & Kevin Clifton
14152623 September 2016 (2016-09-23)17 December 2016 (2016-12-17)Ore Oduba & Joanne CliftonDanny Mac & Oti Mabuse
Louise Redknapp & Kevin Clifton
15152523 September 2017 (2017-09-23)16 December 2017 (2017-12-16)Joe McFadden & Katya JonesAlexandra Burke & Gorka Márquez
Debbie McGee & Giovanni Pernice
Gemma Atkinson & Aljaž Skorjanec
16152522 September 2018 (2018-09-22)15 December 2018 (2018-12-15)Stacey Dooley & Kevin CliftonAshley Roberts & Pasha Kovalev
Faye Tozer & Giovanni Pernice
Joe Sugg & Dianne Buswell
17152521 September 2019 (2019-09-21)14 December 2019 (2019-12-14)Kelvin Fletcher & Oti MabuseEmma Barton & Anton Du Beke
Karim Zeroual & Amy Dowden
18121724 October 2020 (2020-10-24)19 December 2020 (2020-12-19)Bill Bailey & Oti MabuseHRVY & Janette Manrara
Jamie Laing & Karen Hauer
Maisie Smith & Gorka Márquez
19152525 September 2021 (2021-09-25)18 December 2021 (2021-12-18)Rose Ayling-Ellis & Giovanni PerniceJohn Whaite & Johannes Radebe
20152524 September 2022 (2022-09-24)17 December 2022 (2022-12-17)Hamza Yassin & Jowita PrzystałFleur East & Vito Coppola
Helen Skelton & Gorka Márquez
Molly Rainford & Carlos Gu
21152523 September 2023 (2023-09-23)16 December 2023 (2023-12-16)Ellie Leach & Vito CoppolaBobby Brazier & Dianne Buswell
Layton Williams & Nikita Kuzmin

Series 1 (2004)

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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Jason Wood Comedian Kylie Jones Eliminated 1st
David Dickinson Bargain Hunt presenter & antiques expert Camilla Dallerup Eliminated 2nd
Verona Joseph Holby City actress Paul Killick Eliminated 3rd
Claire Sweeney Actress, singer & television presenter John Byrnes Eliminated 4th
Martin Offiah England rugby player Erin Boag Eliminated 5th
Lesley Garrett Classical singer Anton Du Beke Eliminated 6th
Christopher Parker EastEnders actor Hanna Karttunen Runners-up
Natasha Kaplinsky Journalist & television presenter Brendan Cole Winners

Series 2 (2004)

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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Quentin Willson Motoring journalist & television presenter Hazel Newberry Eliminated 1st
Carol Vorderman Countdown presenter Paul Killick Eliminated 2nd
Esther Rantzen Journalist & television presenter Anton Du Beke Eliminated 3rd
Diarmuid Gavin Garden designer & television presenter Nicole Cutler Eliminated 4th
Sarah Manners Casualty actress Brendan Cole Eliminated 5th
Roger Black Olympic sprinter & sports presenter Camilla Dallerup Eliminated 6th
Aled Jones Singer & television presenter Lilia Kopylova Eliminated 7th
Julian Clary Stand-up comedian Erin Boag Third place
Denise Lewis Olympic heptathlete Ian Waite Runners-up
Jill Halfpenny EastEnders actress Darren Bennett Winners

Series 3 (2005)

The third series began in October 2005.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Siobhan Hayes My Family actress Matthew Cutler Eliminated 1st
Jaye Jacobs Holby City actress Andrew Cuerden Eliminated 2nd
Gloria Hunniford Television & radio presenter Darren Bennett Eliminated 3rd
Fiona Phillips GMTV presenter Brendan Cole Eliminated 4th
Dennis Taylor Snooker player Izabela Hannah Eliminated 5th
Will Thorp Casualty actor Hanna Haarala Eliminated 6th
Bill Turnbull BBC Breakfast presenter & journalist Karen Hardy Eliminated 7th
Patsy Palmer EastEnders actress Anton Du Beke Eliminated 8th
James Martin Chef & television presenter Camilla Dallerup Eliminated 9th
Zoe Ball Television & radio presenter Ian Waite Third place
Colin Jackson Olympic hurdler Erin Boag Runners-up
Darren Gough England cricketer Lilia Kopylova Winners

Series 4 (2006)

The fourth series began in October 2006.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Nicholas Owen ITV News presenter & journalist Nicole Cutler Eliminated 1st
Mica Paris Singer & television presenter Ian Waite Eliminated 2nd
Jimmy Tarbuck Comedian Flavia Cacace Withdrew
DJ Spoony DJ & BBC Radio 1 presenter Ola Jordan Eliminated 3rd
Georgina Bouzova Casualty actress James Jordan Eliminated 4th
Jan Ravens Actress & impressionist Anton Du Beke Eliminated 5th
Ray Fearon Stage & screen actor Camilla Dallerup Eliminated 6th
Peter Schmeichel Manchester United goalkeeper Erin Boag Eliminated 7th
Claire King Emmerdale actress Brendan Cole Eliminated 8th
Carol Smillie Television presenter Matthew Cutler Eliminated 9th
Louisa Lytton EastEnders actress Vincent Simone Eliminated 10th
Emma Bunton Spice Girls singer Darren Bennett Eliminated 11th
Matt Dawson England rugby player Lilia Kopylova Runners-up
Mark Ramprakash England cricketer Karen Hardy Winners

Series 5 (2007)

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 againfor the judges, who decided which couple would leave the competition.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Brian Capron Coronation Street actor Karen Hardy Eliminated 1st
Stephanie Beacham Stage & screen actress Vincent Simone Eliminated 2nd
Willie Thorne Snooker player Erin Boag Eliminated 3rd
Gabby Logan BBC Sport presenter James Jordan Eliminated 4th
Dominic Littlewood Journalist & television presenter Lilia Kopylova Eliminated 5th
Penny Lancaster-Stewart Model & photographer Ian Waite Eliminated 6th
Kate Garraway GMTV presenter Anton Du Beke Eliminated 7th
John Barnes England footballer Nicole Cutler Eliminated 8th
Kelly Brook Model & actress Brendan Cole Withdrew
Kenny Logan Scotland rugby player Ola Jordan Eliminated 9th
Letitia Dean EastEnders actress Darren Bennett Eliminated 10th
Gethin Jones Blue Peter presenter Camilla Dallerup Eliminated 11th
Matt Di Angelo EastEnders actor Flavia Cacace Runners-up
Alesha Dixon Mis-Teeq singer Matthew Cutler Winners

Series 6 (2008)

A sixth series was confirmed after the dancers' pay dispute was called off in June 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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Phil Daniels EastEnders actor Flavia Cacace Eliminated 1st
Gillian Taylforth EastEnders actress Anton Du Beke Eliminated 2nd
Gary Rhodes Chef & television presenter Karen Hardy Eliminated 3rd
Jessie Wallace EastEnders actress Darren Bennett Eliminated 4th
Don Warrington Film & television actor Lilia Kopylova Eliminated 5th
Mark Foster Olympic swimmer Hayley Holt Eliminated 6th
Andrew Castle GMTV presenter & tennis player Ola Jordan Eliminated 7th
Heather Small M People singer Brian Fortuna Eliminated 8th
Cherie Lunghi Stage & screen actress James Jordan Eliminated 9th
John Sergeant Chief political correspondent Kristina Rihanoff Withdrew
Jodie Kidd Fashion model Ian Waite Eliminated 10th
Christine Bleakley The One Show presenter Matthew Cutler Eliminated 11th
Austin Healey England rugby player Erin Boag Eliminated 12th
Lisa Snowdon Model & television presenter Brendan Cole Third place
Rachel Stevens S Club 7 singer Vincent Simone Runners-up
Tom Chambers Holby City actor Camilla Dallerup Winners

Series 7 (2009)

The seventh series began in September 2009. Alesha Dixon joined the judging panel, replacing Arlene Phillips, who moved to The One Show.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Martina Hingis Professional tennis player Matthew Cutler Eliminated 1st
Richard Dunwoody Jockey Lilia Kopylova Eliminated 2nd
Rav Wilding Crimewatch presenter Aliona Vilani Eliminated 3rd
Lynda Bellingham Actress & Loose Women panellist Darren Bennett Eliminated 4th
Joe Calzaghe Professional boxer Kristina Rihanoff Eliminated 5th
Jo Wood Model & entrepreneur Brendan Cole Eliminated 6th
Zöe Lucker Footballers' Wives actress James Jordan Eliminated 7th
Craig Kelly Coronation Street actor Flavia Cacace Eliminated 8th
Phil Tufnell England cricketer Katya Virshilas Eliminated 9th
Jade Johnson Olympic long jumper Ian Waite Withdrew
Ricky Groves EastEnders actor Erin Boag Eliminated 10th
Natalie Cassidy EastEnders actress Vincent Simone Eliminated 11th
Laila Rouass Footballers' Wives actress Anton Du Beke Eliminated 12th
Ali Bastian The Bill & Hollyoaks actress Brian Fortuna Eliminated 13th
Ricky Whittle Hollyoaks actor Natalie Lowe Runners-up
Chris Hollins BBC Breakfast sports presenter Ola Jordan Winners

Series 8 (2010)

The eighth series began in September 2010.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Goldie Musician & DJ Kristina Rihanoff Eliminated 1st
Paul Daniels Magician Ola Jordan Eliminated 2nd
Peter Shilton England goalkeeper Erin Boag Eliminated 3rd
Tina O'Brien Coronation Street actress Jared Murillo Eliminated 4th
Jimi Mistry Film & television actor Flavia Cacace Eliminated 5th
Michelle Williams Destiny's Child singer Brendan Cole Eliminated 6th
Felicity Kendal Stage & screen actress Vincent Simone Eliminated 7th
Patsy Kensit Film & television actress Robin Windsor Eliminated 8th
Ann Widdecombe Conservative Party politician Anton Du Beke Eliminated 9th
Gavin Henson Wales rugby player Katya Virshilas Eliminated 10th
Scott Maslen EastEnders & The Bill actor Natalie Lowe Eliminated 11th
Pamela Stephenson Comedian & psychologist James Jordan Third place
Matt Baker Television presenter Aliona Vilani Runners-up
Kara Tointon EastEnders actress Artem Chigvintsev Winners

Series 9 (2011)

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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Edwina Currie Conservative Party politician Vincent Simone Eliminated 1st
Dan Lobb Daybreak presenter & tennis player Katya Virshilas Eliminated 2nd
Rory Bremner Comedian & impressionist Erin Boag Eliminated 3rd
Nancy Dell'Olio Lawyer & media personality Anton Du Beke Eliminated 4th
Lulu Singer-songwriter Brendan Cole Eliminated 5th
Audley Harrison Heavyweight boxer Natalie Lowe Eliminated 6th
Russell Grant Astrologer & entertainer Flavia Cacace Eliminated 7th
Anita Dobson EastEnders actress Robin Windsor Eliminated 8th
Robbie Savage Premier League footballer Ola Jordan Eliminated 9th
Alex Jones The One Show presenter James Jordan Eliminated 10th & 11th
Holly Valance Actress, singer & model Artem Chigvintsev
Jason Donovan Actor & singer Kristina Rihanoff Third place
Chelsee Healey Waterloo Road actress Pasha Kovalev Runners-up
Harry Judd McFly drummer Aliona Vilani Winners

Series 10 (2012)

The tenth series began in September 2012. Darcey Bussell joined the judging panel, replacing Alesha Dixon.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Johnny Ball Television presenter Iveta Lukošiūtė Eliminated 1st
Jerry Hall Supermodel & actress Anton Du Beke Eliminated 2nd
Sid Owen EastEnders actor Ola Jordan Eliminated 3rd
Colin Salmon Film & television actor Kristina Rihanoff Eliminated 4th
Fern Britton Television presenter Artem Chigvintsev Eliminated 5th
Richard Arnold Daybreak presenter Erin Boag Eliminated 6th
Victoria Pendleton Olympic track cyclist Brendan Cole Eliminated 7th
Michael Vaughan England cricketer Natalie Lowe Eliminated 8th
Nicky Byrne Westlife singer Karen Hauer Eliminated 9th
Lisa Riley Emmerdale actress Robin Windsor Eliminated 10th
Dani Harmer Children's television actress Vincent Simone Eliminated 11th
Denise van Outen Actress, singer & presenter James Jordan Runners-up
Kimberley Walsh Girls Aloud singer Pasha Kovalev
Louis Smith Olympic artistic gymnast Flavia Cacace Winners

Series 11 (2013)

The eleventh series began in September 2013.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Tony Jacklin Professional golfer Aliona Vilani Eliminated 1st
Vanessa Feltz Television & radio presenter James Jordan Eliminated 2nd
Julien Macdonald Fashion designer Janette Manrara Eliminated 3rd
Deborah Meaden Dragons' Den investor & businesswoman Robin Windsor Eliminated 4th
Rachel Riley Countdown presenter Pasha Kovalev Eliminated 5th
Dave Myers Chef & The Hairy Bikers presenter Karen Hauer Eliminated 6th
Fiona Fullerton Film & television actress Anton Du Beke Eliminated 7th
Ben Cohen England rugby player Kristina Rihanoff Eliminated 8th
Mark Benton Stage & screen actor Iveta Lukošiūtė Eliminated 9th
Ashley Taylor Dawson Hollyoaks actor & singer Ola Jordan Eliminated 10th
Patrick Robinson Casualty actor Anya Garnis Eliminated 11th
Sophie Ellis-Bextor Singer-songwriter Brendan Cole Eliminated 12th
Natalie Gumede Coronation Street actress Artem Chigvintsev Runners-up
Susanna Reid BBC Breakfast presenter Kevin Clifton
Abbey Clancy Model & television presenter Aljaž Škorjanec Winners

Series 12 (2014)

The series started on 7 September 2014 with a launch show, followed by the live shows starting on 26 and 27 September. 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. 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.

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. 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. In week three, entertainer Donny Osmond joined the four regular judges, making the maximum score that week 50 points. Due to Winkleman's absence in weeks 6, 7 and 8, It Takes Two presenter Zoë Ball co-presented with Daly.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Gregg Wallace MasterChef judge Aliona Vilani Eliminated 1st
Jennifer Gibney Mrs. Brown's Boys actress Tristan MacManus Eliminated 2nd
Tim Wonnacott Bargain Hunt presenter & antiques expert Natalie Lowe Eliminated 3rd
Thom Evans Scotland rugby player & model Iveta Lukošiūtė Eliminated 4th
Scott Mills BBC Radio 1 presenter Joanne Clifton Eliminated 5th
Alison Hammond Television presenter Aljaž Škorjanec Eliminated 6th
Judy Murray Tennis coach & British Fed Cup captain Anton Du Beke Eliminated 7th
Steve Backshall Naturalist, author & television presenter Ola Jordan Eliminated 8th
Sunetra Sarker Casualty actress Brendan Cole Eliminated 9th
Pixie Lott Singer-songwriter Trent Whiddon Eliminated 10th
Jake Wood EastEnders actor Janette Manrara Eliminated 11th
Mark Wright The Only Way Is Essex star Karen Hauer Eliminated 12th
Frankie Bridge The Saturdays singer Kevin Clifton Runners-up
Simon Webbe Blue singer & actor Kristina Rihanoff
Caroline Flack Television presenter Pasha Kovalev Winners

Series 13 (2015)

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 Lukosiute 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.

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.

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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Iwan Thomas Olympic sprinter & sports pundit Ola Jordan Eliminated 1st
Anthony Ogogo Olympic boxer Oti Mabuse Eliminated 2nd
Daniel O'Donnell Singer-songwriter Kristina Rihanoff Eliminated 3rd
Ainsley Harriott Chef & Ready Steady Cook presenter Natalie Lowe Eliminated 4th
Kirsty Gallacher Television presenter Brendan Cole Eliminated 5th
Carol Kirkwood BBC Breakfast weather presenter Pasha Kovalev Eliminated 6th
Jeremy Vine BBC Radio 2 presenter & journalist Karen Clifton Eliminated 7th
Jamelia Singer & Loose Women panellist Tristan MacManus Eliminated 8th
Peter Andre Singer & television personality Janette Manrara Eliminated 9th
Helen George Call the Midwife actress Aljaž Škorjanec Eliminated 10th
Anita Rani Television presenter Gleb Savchenko Eliminated 11th
Katie Derham BBC Proms & BBC Radio 3 presenter Anton Du Beke Eliminated 12th
Georgia May Foote Coronation Street actress Giovanni Pernice Runners-up
Kellie Bright EastEnders actress Kevin Clifton
Jay McGuiness The Wanted singer Aliona Vilani Winners

Series 14 (2016)

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. On 26 July 2016, three more new professional dancers — AJ Pritchard, Chloe Hewitt and Neil Jones, husband of new dancer Katya — were announced. 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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Melvin Odoom Television & radio presenter Janette Manrara Eliminated 1st
Tameka Empson EastEnders actress Gorka Márquez Eliminated 2nd
Will Young Singer-songwriter & actor Karen Clifton Withdrew
Naga Munchetty BBC Breakfast newsreader & journalist Pasha Kovalev Eliminated 3rd
Lesley Joseph Stage & screen actress Anton Du Beke Eliminated 4th
Anastacia Singer-songwriter Brendan Cole Eliminated 5th
Laura Whitmore Television presenter Giovanni Pernice Eliminated 6th
Daisy Lowe Fashion model Aljaž Škorjanec Eliminated 7th
Greg Rutherford Olympic long jumper Natalie Lowe Eliminated 8th
Ed Balls Labour Party politician Katya Jones Eliminated 9th
Judge Rinder Criminal law barrister & television judge Oksana Platero Eliminated 10th
Claudia Fragapane Olympic artistic gymnast AJ Pritchard Eliminated 11th
Danny Mac Hollyoaks actor Oti Mabuse Runners-up
Louise Redknapp Eternal singer & television presenter Kevin Clifton
Ore Oduba BBC Sport presenter Joanne Clifton Winners

Series 15 (2017)

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. 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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Chizzy Akudolu Holby City actress & comedian Pasha Kovalev Eliminated 1st
Rev. Richard Coles Broadcaster, musician & Church of England priest Dianne Buswell Eliminated 2nd
Charlotte Hawkins Good Morning Britain presenter & journalist Brendan Cole Eliminated 3rd
Brian Conley Comedian, singer & actor Amy Dowden Eliminated 4th
Simon Rimmer Chef & Sunday Brunch presenter Karen Clifton Eliminated 5th
Aston Merrygold JLS singer Janette Manrara Eliminated 6th
Ruth Langsford Television presenter Anton Du Beke Eliminated 7th
Jonnie Peacock Paralympic sprinter Oti Mabuse Eliminated 8th
Susan Calman Stand-up comedian & television presenter Kevin Clifton Eliminated 9th
Davood Ghadami EastEnders actor Nadiya Bychkova Eliminated 10th
Mollie King The Saturdays singer AJ Pritchard Eliminated 11th
Alexandra Burke Singer-songwriter Gorka Márquez Runners-up
Debbie McGee Radio presenter & magician's assistant Giovanni Pernice
Gemma Atkinson Actress & model Aljaž Škorjanec
Joe McFadden Holby City actor Katya Jones Winners

Series 16 (2018)

On 30 January 2018, it was announced that Brendan Cole would no longer appear on the show. 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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Susannah Constantine Television presenter & fashion journalist Anton Du Beke Eliminated 1st
Lee Ryan Blue singer & EastEnders actor Nadiya Bychkova Eliminated 2nd
Katie Piper Philanthropist & television presenter Gorka Márquez Eliminated 3rd
Vick Hope Capital FM presenter Graziano Di Prima Eliminated 4th
Seann Walsh Stand-up comedian Katya Jones Eliminated 5th
Dr. Ranj Singh This Morning presenter & author Janette Manrara Eliminated 6th
Danny John-Jules Stage & screen actor Amy Dowden Eliminated 7th
Kate Silverton BBC News presenter & journalist Aljaž Škorjanec Eliminated 8th
Graeme Swann England cricketer Oti Mabuse Eliminated 9th
Charles Venn Casualty actor Karen Clifton Eliminated 10th
Lauren Steadman Paralympic swimmer & paratriathlete AJ Pritchard Eliminated 11th
Ashley Roberts The Pussycat Dolls singer Pasha Kovalev Runners-up
Faye Tozer Steps singer Giovanni Pernice
Joe Sugg YouTube personality Dianne Buswell
Stacey Dooley Investigative journalist Kevin Clifton Winners

Series 17 (2019)

On 13 February 2019, professional dancer Pasha Kovalev announced that he was leaving the show after competing on it for eight years. On 10 April 2019, it was announced that judge Darcey Bussell had left the show after seven years. 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. 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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
James Cracknell Olympic rower Luba Mushtuk Eliminated 1st
Anneka Rice Television & radio presenter Kevin Clifton Eliminated 2nd
Dev Griffin BBC Radio 1 presenter Dianne Buswell Eliminated 3rd
David James England goalkeeper Nadiya Bychkova Eliminated 4th
Catherine Tyldesley Coronation Street actress Johannes Radebe Eliminated 5th
Will Bayley Paralympic table tennis player Janette Manrara Withdrew
Emma Weymouth Fashion model & socialite Aljaž Škorjanec Eliminated 6th
Mike Bushell BBC Breakfast sports presenter Katya Jones Eliminated 7th
Michelle Visage RuPaul's Drag Race judge & singer Giovanni Pernice Eliminated 8th
Saffron Barker YouTube personality AJ Pritchard Eliminated 9th
Alex Scott England footballer Neil Jones Eliminated 10th
Chris Ramsey Stand-up comedian Karen Hauer Eliminated 11th
Emma Barton EastEnders actress Anton Du Beke Runners-up
Karim Zeroual CBBC presenter & actor Amy Dowden
Kelvin Fletcher Emmerdale actor & racing driver Oti Mabuse Winners

Series 18 (2020)

On 6 March 2020, Kevin Clifton announced that he was leaving the show after seven years. On 26 March 2020, AJ Pritchard also announced that he was leaving the show after four years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was confirmed that the series would be slightly shorter than planned. 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. 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. On 12 November 2020, Nicola Adams and Katya Jones were forced to withdraw from the competition after Jones tested positive for COVID-19. 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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Jacqui Smith Labour Party politician Anton Du Beke Eliminated 1st
Jason Bell NFL player & pundit Luba Mushtuk Eliminated 2nd
Nicola Adams Olympic boxer Katya Jones Withdrew
Max George The Wanted singer Dianne Buswell Eliminated 3rd
Caroline Quentin Actress & television presenter Johannes Radebe Eliminated 4th
Clara Amfo BBC Radio 1 presenter Aljaž Škorjanec Eliminated 5th
JJ Chalmers Television presenter & Invictus Games medallist Amy Dowden Eliminated 6th
Ranvir Singh Good Morning Britain presenter & journalist Giovanni Pernice Eliminated 7th
HRVY Singer & television presenter Janette Manrara Runners-up
Jamie Laing Made in Chelsea star Karen Hauer
Maisie Smith EastEnders actress Gorka Márquez
Bill Bailey Comedian, musician & actor Oti Mabuse Winners

Series 19 (2021)

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.

This series marked the first time that two contestants withdrew from the competition. On 13 October 2021, Robert Webb withdrew from the competition due to health reasons. On 17 December 2021, AJ Odudu was forced to pull out of the final after tearing a ligament in her right ankle.

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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Nina Wadia Stage & screen actress Neil Jones Eliminated 1st
Katie McGlynn Coronation Street actress Gorka Márquez Eliminated 2nd
Robert Webb Comedian & actor Dianne Buswell Withdrew
Greg Wise Film & television actor Karen Hauer Eliminated 3rd
Ugo Monye England rugby player & pundit Oti Mabuse Eliminated 4th
Judi Love Comedian & Loose Women panellist Graziano Di Prima Eliminated 5th
Adam Peaty Olympic swimmer Katya Jones Eliminated 6th
Sara Davies Dragons' Den investor & businesswoman Aljaž Škorjanec Eliminated 7th
Tom Fletcher McFly singer Amy Dowden Eliminated 8th
Tilly Ramsay Chef & television presenter Nikita Kuzmin Eliminated 9th
Dan Walker BBC Breakfast presenter & journalist Nadiya Bychkova Eliminated 10th
Rhys Stephenson CBBC presenter Nancy Xu Eliminated 11th
AJ Odudu Television presenter Kai Widdrington Withdrew
John Whaite Baker & television presenter Johannes Radebe Runners-up
Rose Ayling-Ellis EastEnders actress Giovanni Pernice Winners

Series 20 (2022)

The twentieth series began in September 2022.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Kaye Adams Loose Women panellist & journalist Kai Widdrington Eliminated 1st
Richie Anderson Television & radio presenter Giovanni Pernice Eliminated 2nd
Matt Goss Singer-songwriter Nadiya Bychkova Eliminated 3rd
Jayde Adams Comedian & actress Karen Hauer Eliminated 4th
James Bye EastEnders actor Amy Dowden Eliminated 5th
Ellie Simmonds Paralympic swimmer Nikita Kuzmin Eliminated 6th
Tony Adams England footballer & manager Katya Jones Withdrew
Tyler West Kiss FM presenter Dianne Buswell Eliminated 7th
Ellie Taylor Comedian, actress & television presenter Johannes Radebe Eliminated 8th
Kym Marsh Actress, singer & Morning Live presenter Graziano Di Prima Eliminated 9th
Will Mellor Stage & screen actor Nancy Xu Eliminated 10th
Fleur East Singer-songwriter & radio presenter Vito Coppola Runners-up
Helen Skelton Television presenter Gorka Márquez
Molly Rainford Nova Jones actress & singer Carlos Gu
Hamza Yassin Wildlife presenter & cameraman Jowita Przystał Winners

Series 21 (2023)

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.

Celebrity Notability Professional partner Result
Les Dennis Comedian, actor & television presenter Nancy Xu Eliminated 1st
Nikita Kanda BBC Asian Network presenter Gorka Márquez Eliminated 2nd
Jody Cundy Paralympic cyclist & swimmer Jowita Przystał Eliminated 3rd
Eddie Kadi Comedian & BBC Radio 1Xtra presenter Karen Hauer Eliminated 4th
Amanda Abbington Stage & screen actress Giovanni Pernice Withdrew
Zara McDermott Media personality & television presenter Graziano Di Prima Eliminated 5th
Adam Thomas Waterloo Road & Emmerdale actor Luba Mushtuk Eliminated 6th
Krishnan Guru-Murthy Channel 4 News presenter & journalist Lauren Oakley Eliminated 7th
Angela Rippon Television presenter, journalist & newsreader Kai Widdrington Eliminated 8th
Angela Scanlon Television presenter Carlos Gu Eliminated 9th
Nigel Harman Stage & screen actor Katya Jones Withdrew
Annabel Croft Professional tennis player & pundit Johannes Radebe Eliminated 10th
Bobby Brazier EastEnders actor & model Dianne Buswell Runners-up
Layton Williams Bad Education actor & West End performer Nikita Kuzmin
Ellie Leach Coronation Street actress Vito Coppola Winners

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.

Strictly Come Dancing Live!

Strictly Come Dancing Live! is a nationwide arena tour staged every year since 2008.

Controversies

2008 Semi Final

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, while the third — Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup — were in last place. This meant that, no matter how many public votes were cast in their favour, it was mathematically impossible for the third-placed couple 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.

The BBC received 1800 complaints about the incident, 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". 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".

Sacking of Arlene Phillips

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. This was later confirmed by the BBC in July of that year. Subsequently, the BBC was accused of ageism and sexism by several sources, an accusation the corporation has faced before over the removal of several older female presenters, including Moira Stuart, Juliet Morris, Miriam O'Reilly, Michaela Strachan, Charlotte Smith and Anna Ford. 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. 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.

2009 Racism Scandal

In 2009, during the seventh series, professional dancer Anton Du Beke issued a public apology for his use of a racial slur during a conversation with his dance partner Laila Rouass. Du Beke claimed that the comment, which was never broadcast, was a joke referring to Rouass' spray-tan, in which he said that she "looked like a Paki". Over 600 complaints were received by the BBC, including those about comments Bruce Forsyth, then host of Strictly Come Dancing, made about the controversy on a Talksport radio programme, in which he suggested that Britain "used to have a sense of humour" about such incidents, and that Du Beke's apology should be accepted.

Following the incident, and Forsyth's response, the BBC stated:

Racially offensive language in the workplace is entirely unacceptable. Anton was right to apologise quickly and without reservation and Laila has wholly accepted his apology. Everyone is very clear that there can be no repetition of this behaviour.

Forsyth also clarified his position:

What Anton said to Laila was wrong and he has apologised unreservedly for this. Nor do I in any way excuse or condone the use of such language. To be absolutely clear, the use of racially offensive language is never either funny or acceptable. However, there is a major difference between this and racist comments which are malicious in intent and whilst I accept that we live in a world of extraordinary political correctness, we should keep things in perspective.

Same-sex couples

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, and also declared that "Strictly is a family show and we have chosen the traditional format of mixed-sex couples". The press has reported on the issue on numerous occasions when gay celebrities have appeared on the show, including Will Young, Susan Calman, Robert Rinder, Richard Coles and Ranj Singh. Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Craig Revel Horwood have both expressed their support for introducing same-sex couples.

Same-sex partnerships have been featured on several international versions of the show, including Austria (2011), Italy (2015), Australia (2019) and Germany (2019). On 3 November 2019, Johannes Radebe and fellow professional Graziano Di Prima performed together to Emeli Sande's "Shine" on the Sunday results episode, the show's first individual same-sex dance. 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. 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. 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.[citation needed] In Series 21, Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin are competing in an all-male partnership.

Ratings

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.

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

Series Series premiere Series finale Average
UK viewers
(in millions)
1 15 May 2004 3 July 2004 6.45
2 23 October 2004 11 December 2004 8.61
3 15 October 2005 17 December 2005 8.37
4 7 October 2006 23 December 2006 8.55
5 6 October 2007 22 December 2007 9.05
6 20 September 2008 20 December 2008 9.64
7 18 September 2009 19 December 2009 9.22
8 1 October 2010 18 December 2010 11.07
9 30 September 2011 17 December 2011 10.98
10 5 October 2012 22 December 2012 10.80
11 27 September 2013 21 December 2013 10.71
12 26 September 2014 20 December 2014 10.25
13 25 September 2015 19 December 2015 10.63
14 23 September 2016 17 December 2016 10.96
15 23 September 2017 16 December 2017 11.14
16 22 September 2018 15 December 2018 10.59
17 21 September 2019 14 December 2019 10.42
18 24 October 2020 19 December 2020 10.77
19 25 September 2021 18 December 2021 9.72
20 24 September 2022 17 December 2022 9.09
21 23 September 2023 16 December 2023 8.55

Awards

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. 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.

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 and 2023.

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.

Year Award Category Nominee Result Ref.
2004
National Television Awards Most Popular Entertainment Programme Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
2005
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Karen Smith, Richard Hopkins, Izzie Pick Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Costume Design Su Judd Nominated
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Entertainment Strictly Come Dancing Won
National Television Awards Most Popular Entertainment Programme Nominated
TRIC Awards Entertainment Programme Won
Rose d'Or Variety Won
2006
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Karen Smith, Richard Hopkins, Sam Donnelly Nominated
National Television Awards Most Popular Entertainment Programme Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
TRIC Awards Entertainment Programme Nominated
2007
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Sound: Fiction/Entertainment Gary Clarke Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Sound – Entertainment & Non-Drama Productions BBC Studios Sound Team Nominated
National Television Awards Most Popular Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2008
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Martin Scott, Sam Donnelly, Clodagh O'Donoghue Nominated
Audience Award Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Entertainment Nominated
National Television Awards Most Popular Talent Show Won
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2009
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Entertainment Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2010
National Television Awards Most Popular Talent Show Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2011
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Best Entertainment Craft Team Su Judd, Patrick Doherty, Mark Kenyon, Lisa Armstrong Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Lighting For Multicamera Mark Kenyon (for "Halloween Special") Nominated
Make Up Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Productions Lisa Armstrong (for "Halloween Special") Nominated
Sound – Entertainment & Non Drama Tony Revell, Andy Tapley, Howard Hopkins (for "Halloween Special") Nominated
National Television Awards Most Popular Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2012
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Costume Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Productions Vicky Gill Nominated
National Television Awards Most Popular Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2013
British Academy Television Awards Radio Times Audience Award Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Costume Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Vicky Gill Nominated
National Television Awards Most Popular Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2014
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Special Awards Strictly Come Dancing Won
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Costume Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Vicky Gill Nominated
Multicamera Work Nikki Parsons and Camera Team Nominated
Make Up Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Lisa Armstrong Won
Production Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Patrick Doherty Nominated
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Comedy/Entertainment Won
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2015
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Louise Rainbow, Nikki Parsons, Vanessa Clark, Jason Gilkison Nominated
Radio Times Audience Award Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
Best Entertainment Performance Claudia Winkleman Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Make Up and Hair Design Lisa Armstrong, Neale Pirie Nominated
Best Costume Design Vicky Gill Nominated
Best Entertainment Craft Team Lisa Armstrong, Patrick Doherty, Vicky Gill, Tony Revell Nominated
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Entertainment Performance Claudia Winkleman Won
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Costume Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Productions Vicky Gill Won
Make Up Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Productions Lisa Armstrong, Neale Pirie Nominated
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2016
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Louise Rainbow, Vinnie Shergill, Sarah James, Nikki Parsons Won
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Entertainment Craft Team Jason Gilkison, Mark Kenyon, Tony Revell, Dave Newton Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Multicamera Work Camera Team, Nikki Parsons Nominated
Production Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Patrick Doherty Nominated
Sound – Entertainment & Non Drama Tony Revell Nominated
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2017
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Won
Best Entertainment Performance Claudia Winkleman Nominated
Virgin TV's Must-See Moment "Ed Balls' Gangnam Style" Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Best Entertainment Craft Team David Newton, Mark Kenyon, Jason Gilkison, Vicky Gill Nominated
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Entertainment Strictly Come Dancing Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Costume Design – Entertainment and Non Drama Vicky Gill & The Costume Team Nominated
Multicamera Work Camera Team, Nikki Parsons Nominated
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Entertainment Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2018
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Best Entertainment Craft Team Jason Gilkison, Mark Kenyon, Patrick Doherty, David Newton Nominated
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Entertainment Performance Claudia Winkleman Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Director – Multicamera Nikki Parsons Won
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Entertainment Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Nominated
2019
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Louise Rainbow, Sarah James, Robin Lee-Perrella, Jason Gilkison Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Entertainment Craft Team Lisa Armstrong, Jason Gilkinson, Mark Kenyon Nominated
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Costume Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Vicky Gill Nominated
Make Up Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Lisa Armstrong Won
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
Broadcasting Press Guild Awards Best Entertainment Nominated
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2020
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Won
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Entertainment Craft Team David Bishop, Patrick Doherty, Vicky Gill and Andy Tapley Won
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Production Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Catherine Land, Patrick Doherty Nominated
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Won
2021
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Nominated
Best Entertainment Performance Claudia Winkleman Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Best Entertainment Craft Team David Bishop, Darren Lovell, David Newton, Richard Sillitto, Andy Tapley, Catherine Land Nominated
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Nominated
Rose d'Or Studio Entertainment Won
2022
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Nominated
Virgin TV's Must-See Moment "Rose and Giovanni silent dance to 'Symphony'" Won
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Best Entertainment Craft Team David Bishop, Patrick Doherty, Catherine Land, David Newton, Richard Sillitto and Tom Young Nominated
Royal Television Society Programme Awards Judges' Award Strictly Come Dancing Won
Royal Television Society Craft & Design Awards Make Up Design – Entertainment & Non Drama Lisa Armstrong, Lisa Davey Won
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won
Talent Show Judge Anton Du Beke Won
TRIC Awards Reality Programme Strictly Come Dancing Won
2023
British Academy Television Awards Best Entertainment Programme Nominated
British Academy Television Craft Awards Best Director: Multi-Camera Nikki Parsons Nominated
Best Entertainment Craft Team Catherine Land, David Bishop, Patrick Doherty, Richard Silitto, David Newton, Joe Phillips Won
National Television Awards Talent Show Strictly Come Dancing Won

Strictly Come Dancing: The Game

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.

See also


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