The BBC favourite has been embroiled in scandal ahead of its big return to screens for its 20th anniversary
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Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this weekend, following months of scandal surrounding its pro dancers.
Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, who lifted the lid on the scandal with a set of allegations against Giovanni Pernice, has claimed there are “50 hours” of rehearsal footage that left BBC producers “horrified” by her former dance partner’s alleged behaviour.
Pernice has denied all claims and, on 29 July, learnt the result of the BBC’s investigation into the accusations. The findings are yet to be made public.
Graziano di Prima has also been at the centre of controversy because of alleged behaviour in his rehearsals with Zara McDermott. Both di Prima and Pernice have left the show.
This year marks Strictly’s 20th anniversary, and the new contestants will be hoping their fancy footwork can make headlines for the right reasons.
You can get to know the celebrity contestants here.
Their professional dance partners will be revealed in Saturday’s (14 September) opening episode, which airs tonight on BBC One at 7.20pm.
Follow for live updates below...
Key points
And our contestants are all here! Don’t they scrub up well?
Nice bit of Strictly trivia in there for the fact fans: Craig has given out just 10 one-point paddles in his 20 years on the show, and six of them were to former contestant turned judge Anton du Beke.
Well, Craig Revel Horwood’s beard is certainly... something. Very Jason Manford.
You might have spotted fans going wild for Amy Dowden in that routine. The Welsh dancer is returning to the show this series, after Amy was sadly forced to pull out of the 2023 series after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.
You can read the latest update on her recovery below:
Dowden receives worrying news from her doctor, in footage seen in new documentary ‘Strictly Amy: Cancer and Me’
Naturally, this is a pretty OTT way of kicking off the series, even by Strictly’s sparkling standards. But don’t forget, the show is celebrating 20 years on our screens this year – so it was always bound to be a big one!
Out the gate and the show’s off with a bang, with a Strictly meets the Vengabus parody! God, I’ve really missed this show.
And we’re go! Anyone else excited?
Hi all! I’ll be covering this eve’s Strictly launch show, as we get back into the groove and find out which pro partners are celebrities are going to be dancing with. It’ll also give viewers a first look at the calibre of dance talent on display, so pay attention to that footwork!
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