Strictly Come Dancing launch date revealed as fans spot clue about show return after scandals
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s return date has been revealed, after eagle-eyed fans spotted a clue.
The BBC dance show will be waltzing back onto our screens very soon, with a whole host of famous faces set to take part in the new series.
Strictly’s much-anticipated launch date has been revealed as Saturday September 14th, with the first live show taking place on the following Saturday, September 21st.
And fans of the show are already able to apply for tickets.
Strictly fanatics can get their hands on tickets for show dates at Elstree Studios including September 21st and 28th, October 5th, 12th, 19th and 26th, November 2nd, 9th, 23rd, and 30th and December 7th and 14th.
Tickets for the iconic Blackpool show are available for Saturday November 16th.
The first show of the series, which is believed to be September 14th, normally airs a week before the live date, and it’s when fans see the pro dancers pair up with celebs.
Then, the following week, the show gets underway.
Tickets will be allocated via a random draw, and the process states that it is the named ticket holder that should apply.
This year, Strictly bosses have started implementing new rules after the show was plunged into chaos after Graziano Di Prima was axed from the show following claims he claims he hit, spat at and kicked Zara McDermott.
They are considering hiring chaperones for the stars, who will sit in the training room during rehearsals.
Discussing this, Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood said: “All I can say is, first, chaperones are a good idea. Second, thank goodness things have changed. I had a Russian ballet teacher who used a cane to make us raise our legs higher.
“You couldn’t do that now. A choreographer can’t even touch a dancer’s arm to put it in the correct place, but at least it means everyone feels protected.”
There have also been eyebrows raised by fans over the female to male ratio, among the celebrity sign ups.
Only six women are competing in this year’s programme and there are nine men taking part.
That means 40 per cent of celebrities in this year’s show are women, while in most years it has been roughly a 50/50 split between the sexes.
Who's confirmed for Strictly 2024?
WITH Strictly's 20th anniversary special airing in September, The Sun takes a look at which celebs have been confirmed for the new series:
- EastEnders star Jamie Borthwick.
- Athlete Tom Dean is is a three-time Olympic champion.
- X Factor winner and former Corrie star Shayne Ward.
- Miranda star Sarah Hadland.
- Gladiators star Montell Douglas AKA Fire.
- Football pundit Paul Merson.
- DIY SOS sat Nick Knowles.
- Olympic hero Sam Quek.
- Towie legend Pete Wicks.
- Love Island star Tasha Ghouri.
- Morning Live star Dr Punam Krishan.
- 80s legend and singer Toyah Willcox.
- Opera singer Wynne Evans.
- JLS singer JB Gill.
- Comedian Chris McCausland.
A TV insider said: “Looking at the figures, it’s hard to see how the ongoing controversy over bullying could not have affected the recruitment process for this year’s Strictly.
“At no point in the show’s history has there been such a small proportion of women.
“It probably wasn’t the landmark number they wanted, given the show is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year.
“The most serious claims of abuse and bullying have involved male pros and their treatment of female celebrity dance partners.”
Judges Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse are returning, with Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly at the helm.