Strictly Come Dancing start date confirmed by bosses
Let the 2021 series commence!
Now that this year's celebrities have been unveiled, the professionals have warmed up and the judges have picked out their best outfits, excitement is well and truly building for the 2021 series of Strictly Come Dancing.
After the 15 celebs were revealed a whole month earlier this year, the 2021 series isn't far off, with bosses officially confirming the show will start on Saturday 18th September.
Sharing a video of contestant Tom Fletcher holding a paddle board with the number 15 on, the caption read: 'The countdown is ON! Only 15 days to go until @tomfletcher and our #Strictly stars hit the dancefloor 🕺'. #(sic)
Contestant Dan Walker accidentally leaked the date earlier this week. Speaking to his BBC Breakfast co-host, Dan said: "I meet and greet the partner in a couple of days time, and actually the first show is on the 18th and then the live shows start on the 25th."
Check out the official 2021 line-up for Strictly Come Dancing:
AJ Odudu
Best known for: TV presenter
"I am beyond chuffed that I am going to be on this year's Strictly Come Dancing and I'm so glad I can finally tell my mum. Her face will be a picture, she's going to be over the moon! I absolutely love the show and am fully committed to making the most of every second of the Strictly experience. Bring it on!"
Rose Ayling-Ellis
Best known for: Actress
To be the first deaf contestant on Strictly Come Dancing is sooooo exciting.. and a little bit scary. It is the hardest secret I have ever had to keep so it feels amazing to finally have this out in the open! I hope I will do the deaf community proud and break down more barriers. But I am also very excited to learn an incredible new skill and even better I get to learn whilst wearing beautiful dresses made especially for me!"
John Whaite
Best known for: Baker
"I'm so grateful, excited, and nervous to be joining the Strictly 2021 family. I've been wearing sequins and jazzy attire since I was three years old and can't wait to hurl myself, full throttle, around the most glamorous dance floor on earth.
"What's more exciting for me, is that I'm going to be one half of the first all-male partnership, which is a great step forward in representation and inclusion. Whoever it is I'm paired with, I hope they are up for a challenge as I want our routines to include lots of spectacular lifts!"
Rhys Stephenson - ELIMINATED
Best known for: CBBC presenter
"I am BUZZING to be a part of Strictly Come Dancing 2021. I have dreamt about being on this show, and I know for a fact that it is going to exceed every expectation. I cannot wait to experience it all: the costumes, the orchestra, even Craig's glare! I am READY!"
Dan Walker - ELIMINATED
Best known for: TV presenter
"I am definitely excited, a little bit worried, mostly terrified and a small part of me is considering going into hiding! My kids have only ever asked me to go on two shows… Saturday Mash Up and Strictly. I did Saturday Mash Up this summer so… it's time to embrace the sequins".
Tilly Ramsay - ELIMINATED
Best known for: Chef, social media influencer and TV presenter
"I'm so excited and grateful to be joining the Strictly family! I'm always up for fun new challenges and this will be my biggest adventure yet! I'm going to put my heart and soul into this and can't wait to get my dancing shoes on and show my Dad how it's really done! Bring on the glitz, glamour and sequins!"
Tom Fletcher - ELIMINATED
Best known for: McFly
"I think the fact that I'm actually going to be dancing on Strictly this year has only just started to sink in while I'm writing this! I'm incredibly excited, of course, but also totally terrified! My kids were excited too until I started showing them my best dad-dancing in the kitchen. I'm not sure how far they'll get me in the competition but I can't wait to add some new moves to my embarrassing dad-dancing repertoire."
Sara Davies - ELIMINATED
Best known for: Businesswoman and Dragon's Den
"My Mam and Dad are going to be so excited. I'm really nervous because so far the producers keep asking me if I can dance. Truth be told – I haven't got a clue! I've not danced since I did ballet lessons when I was little. The business world has taught me that tenacity, drive and determination deliver results, I hope that I can bring that to the dancefloor. And I'm excited to see the impact of all those hours of training on my mum tum!"
Adam Peaty - ELIMINATED
Best known for: Team GB Olympic swimmer
"I think this will come as a surprise to a lot of people, but I'm so excited to finally share the news that I'll be joining Strictly this year. I'm really looking forward to doing something totally different and challenging myself away from the pool. I'm hoping my competitive nature is going to compensate for my dancing abilities!"
Judi Love - ELIMINATED
Best known for: Loose Women panellist and comedian
: "I think I am still in shock that I will be part of this amazing show. I've watched it for many years and admired the phenomenal abilities of these dancers and celebrities that have taken part and dedicated themselves to learning a new craft. I'm truly looking forward to pushing myself in something that I could have only dreamed of doing and now it's actually coming true!! I can't lie I'm soooo nervous but excited at the same time!!"
Ugo Monye - ELIMINATED
Best known for: TV presenter and former Rugby Union star
"What a dream come true! Strictly is the biggest entertainment show on TV and I can't wait to show everyone I've got more than just dad dancing moves. My two beautiful daughters never had a chance to see me on the rugby pitch, so to know they can watch me waltzing and twirling every week is really special to me. I love an outfit at the best of times, so bring on the sequins!"
Greg Wise - ELIMINATED
Best known for: Actor and producer
"My beautiful sister was a huge disco queen. She left our world almost exactly 5 years ago in a glitter ball coffin. This is for her. My gorgeous Diva sis, who would have been insane with excitement that her little bro was doing this. I will channel her, as her bro can't dance - but I'm thrilled to be dipping my toes, knees, hips and arms into this wonderful world, and hope to make her proud, and obviously make her laugh..."
Robert Webb - LEFT DUE TO ILLNESS
Best known for: Comedian and actor
"I am ludicrously excited to be taking part in Strictly this year. It's a big, generous, joyful show and I can't wait to get packed into a spandex onesie and fired from a glitter cannon directly at Claudia Winkleman. At least I think that's what happens. My goal is to try and survive from week to week without causing serious injury to myself or innocent bystanders. I know it's going to be a challenge. To do well in this competition is a test of character, although mainly it's a test of dancing."
Katie McGlynn: ELIMINATED
Best known for: Actress
"It's been so hard keeping it a secret, but I can finally say that I'm getting ready to shake my shimmy and become part of the Strictly family! I'm really not a dancer, but I'm so excited to learn a new skill on this crazy journey and cannot wait to slip into some sequins along the way. Although I do get to have so much fun as an actress, a lot of my roles have involved quite serious and challenging storylines, so I'm fully ready to let my hair down and do something different, even if it is completely outside of my comfort zone. I can't promise that I'll be the best, but I'm going to give it 110% on the dance floor! As long as I don't fall over I'll be happy."
Nina Wadia OBE: ELIMINATED
Best known for: Actress
"I've always danced like nobody's watching, so if we blindfold the judges I could actually win Strictly 2021."
TV presenter Dan was the eighth celebrity to be unveiled for the new series last month, saying: "I am definitely excited, a little bit worried, mostly terrified and a small part of me is considering going into hiding! My kids have only ever asked me to go on two shows… Saturday Mash Up and Strictly. I did Saturday Mash Up this summer so… it's time to embrace the sequins".
Despite it being revealed the show will once again not be going to Blackpool this year, BBC bosses have confirmed it will be back to normal following last year's COVID-19 restrictions.
Executive producer Sarah James told The Mirror: "We’re so thrilled that Strictly will be returning for a full-length series this year, and know how much viewers are looking forward to getting their full Strictly fix and seeing the return of much-loved specials."
It was also previously revealed that regular judge Bruno Tonioli won't feature on the 2021 series, due to ongoing travel restrictions across the pond.
Instead, Strictly legend Anton Du Beke will take his place on this year's panel alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas.
Other Strictly regulars such as Aljaž Škorjanec, Dianne Buswell, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez and Oti Mabuse will also feature, including four brand new pro dancers; Jowita Przystal, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard and Kai Widdrington.
Strictly Come Dancing is due to begin on Saturday 18th September.
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