Strictly Come Dancing's premiere has been delayed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The popular BBC show was originally due to launch this Saturday, September 17. Instead, the BBC has confirmed the pre-recorded launch show where the couples get matched with their celebrity partners has been delayed and will now air on Friday, September 23, a few days after the late monarch's state funeral.
The first live show will air on the following day, Saturday, September 24.
This year's edition of Strictly Come Dancing sees 15 new celebrities taking to the ballroom in order to compete for the famous Glitterball Trophy.
Competing on the 20th iteration of the series are Animal Park presenter Hamza Yassin, X Factor star Fleur East, football legend Tony Adams, CBBC star Molly Rainford, Ted Lasso star Ellie Taylor, and Coronation Street's Will Mellor and Kym Marsh.
They are joined by BBC Radio 2 star Richie Anderson, Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams, KISS FM radio DJ Tyler West, comedian Jayde Adams, Paralympian Ellie Simmonds, TV presenter Helen Skelton, EastEnders actor James Bye and and Bros star Matt Goss.
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The upcoming series has a lot on offer, with the return of the popular Blackpool week, as well as a special celebrating the BBC's 100th birthday.
Former pro Anton Du Beke is also back as a judge, after he temporarily replaced Bruno Tonioli.
Denying rumours there was a feud between the pair, Du Beke said the change is instead just down to Tonioli's inability to travel between the BBC show and the American version Dancing with the Stars at the same time.
"It was all down to circumstance really," he said. "The situation with flying still isn't ideal – we all know how many flights are being cancelled – and Bruno said to the BBC, 'Listen, I can't do both shows. Thank you very much and good luck'."
Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.
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Catherine is an Evening News Editor at Digital Spy, and was the site's News Editor between 2018 and 2024. Prior to that, she worked at OK! Online, and has interviewed a slew of celebrities across her career in entertainment news, including Tom Hanks, Cheryl and Noel Fielding. Catherine also has specialist knowledge in all things drag, interviewing a huge portion of RuPaul’s Drag Race stars, and getting her own drag makeover for Channel 4's show Drag SOS. LinkedIn
