Start date confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2023

This year's professional dancers have been confirmed, along with the brave celebrities such as Angela Rippon, Adam Thomas and Zara McDermott. And now, the BBC have confirmed when the 21st series of hit entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing will start, and it's sooner than we thought.

When does Strictly Come Dancing start?

The 2023 series is due to begin on Saturday 16th September, according to the BBC's website, it will then run for a huge 13 weeks until Saturday 16th December, if it follows the same format as last year.

After months of rumours as to which famous faces would be taking part this year, bosses started to unveil the line-up at the beginning of August, with Angela Rippon set to become the oldest ever contestant to take part in the show.

Former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott is also making history, becoming the first ever Islander to take part in the series.

Check out this year's Strictly contestants:

Anticipation has been rife for the new series ever since last year's show ended in December, which saw Hamza Yassin, Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford take part in the tense final.

Following a number of dances, Hamza and his partner Jowita Przystal were crowned the 2022 winners by the voting public.

Meanwhile, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman once again set to host the 21st series, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will also return, to give their expert opinion on this year's celebrities.

Although the personnel on the main show is set to stay the same, spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two has had a presenter shake-up, following Rylan Clark's departure from the show.

Instead of Rylan, last year's contestant Fleur East will present the BBC Two show alongside former professional and new mum Janette Manrara.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One on Saturday 23rd September.

Now read:

Strictly Come Dancing: All of the confirmed celebs taking part

Giovanni Pernice reveals nasty injury ahead of new series of Strictly

Holly Willoughby being 'lined-up' for hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing

How to listen to Northsound 1:

For great music, brilliant banter and incredible competitions tune into Northsound 1 on 96.9, 97.6 or 103.0 FM, online, on our Northsound app, your DAB digital radio, or say ‘Play Northsound 1’ on your Smart Speaker. We give you the biggest hits from the world’s hottest artists. You’ll find new favourites every day and hear the songs you've missed from the last few years.

• strictly come dancing