±«Óãtv

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 - Everything you need to know about series 21

Get ready to rumba as Strictly Come Dancing returns to screens in autumn 2023

Published: 12 December 2023
Strictly Come Dancing is written in gold across a golden glitterball, which is emitting bright beams of light on a blue background

Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens for 2023, marking the 21st series of the nation’s favourite dancing show.

Made by ±«Óãtv Studios Entertainment Productions, the multi award-winning series promises to entertain the nation once again, with presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman back in the ballroom to oversee proceedings each weekend as a host of brand new celebrity contestants take to the floor in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Here's everything you need to know about Strictly 2023...

When is the Strictly Come Dancing Final?

Join Tess and Claudia for the Strictly Come Dancing grand final on Saturday 16 December from 7pm on ±«Óãtv One and ±«Óãtv iPlayer.

After 12 weeks of competition, we have our finalists, and one of them will lift the Glitterball Trophy. Our remaining couples perform three incredible routines in a bid to be your Strictly Champion.

Cher will be performing, and the cast of 2023 will return for one more epic routine. In the final, the judges’ scores are for guidance only; the winner lies entirely in your hands.

Who will you crown Strictly Come Dancing Champion 2023?

Strictly Voting

You'll find everything you need to know about how to vote for your favourite Strictly couples here.

Who are the Strictly 2023 celebrity contestants?

Top left to right: Amanda Abbington, Angela Rippon, Layton Williams, Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Eddie Kadi. Middle left to right: Angela Scanlon, Zara McDermott, Adam Thomas, Nikita Kanda, Ellie Leach. Bottom left to right: Jody Cundy, Bobby Brazier, Nigel Harman, Annabel Croft and Les Dennis

The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 celebrities were and they are:

  • Adam Thomas - an actor and TV presenter who can "sort of do the robot"
    Learn more about Adam here
  • Amanda Abbington - an award winning stage and screen actor who can't wait to embarrass her children
    Learn more about Amanda here
  • Angela Rippon - an award-winning journalist, TV presenter, newsreader, and author who's proving anything's possible in your 70s
    Learn more about Angela here
  • Angela Scanlon -a TV presenter who's ready to engross herself in sequins and glitter
    Learn more about Angela here
  • Annabel Croft - a former British Number One tennis player who's hoping to "find the joyfulness" on her Strictly journey
    Learn more about Annabel here
  • Bobby Brazier - a model and actor who's "always dancing" and can't wait to team up with a pro
    Learn more about Bobby here
  • Eddie Kadi - a comedian who's been "oiling the hips" and "dropping a little salsa... just to see"
    Learn more about Eddie here
  • Ellie Leach - an actor who's been testing the fake tan "just to see if it suits me"
    Learn more about Ellie here
  • Jody Cundy - a World and Paralympic champion who's "all in" and ready for the full Strictly experience
    Learn more about Jody here
  • Krishnan Guru Murthy - a journalist and broadcaster who's ready to place his trust in Strictly and get into character
    Learn more about Krishnan here
  • Layton Williams - a film and theatre actor who was "born to be Strictly-fied"
    Learn more about Layton here
  • Les Dennis - a TV personality, actor and entertainer whose signature move is "dad dancing"
    Learn more about Les here
  • Nigel Harman - a TV, film and theatre actor and director who's thinking "what have I done?"
    Learn more about Nigel here
  • Nikita Kanda - a radio host and TV presenter who's "a bit of a raver"
    Learn more about Nikita here
  • Zara McDermott - a broadcaster and content creator who's taking a "leap of faith" and pushing herself out of her comfort zone
    Learn more about Zara here
The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 celebrities wear black, white and gold suits and gold dresses as they sit and stand against a glittering purple backdrop.

Who's left Strictly 2023?

Week 2: Les Dennis and Nancy Xu left the competition following a Dance Off with Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez

Movie Week: Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez left the competition following a Dance Off with Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

Week 4: Jody Cundy and Jowita Pryzstal left the competition following and Dance Off with Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer

Week 5: Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer left the competition following a Dance Off with Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

Halloween Week: Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima left the competition following a Dance Off with Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk

Week 7: Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk left the competition following a Dance Off with Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

Week 8: Krishnan Guru Murthy and Lauren Oakley left the competition following a Dance Off with Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

Blackpool Special: Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington left the competition following a Dance Off with Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell

Week 10: Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu left the competition following a Dance Off with Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

Semi-Final: Annabel Croft and Johannes Radebe left the competition following a Dance Off with Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell

Who are the Strictly 2023 professional dancers?

The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 professional dancers pose on a gold platform and stairs, which have been set up on the ballroom floor. They all wear black and white for a special dance, which they perform with the judges.

Viewers can look forward to seeing some of the most talented Latin and Ballroom professional dancers from all across the globe as Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola all return.

Who are the Strictly 2023 couples?

The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 couples were revealed during the spectacular Strictly launch show on ±«Óãtv One and ±«Óãtv iPlayer on Saturday 16 September and they are:

Meet the Strictly 2023 judges

A composite image of all four Strictly Come Dancing judges performing a special routine with the professional dancers. Clockwise from top left: Shirley Ballas prepares for a Latin dance routine, surrounded by pro dancers holding fans. Motsi Mabusi dances with three male pros. Craig Revel Horwood struts forward, performing sophisticated arm movements with the professionals. And Anton Du Beke dances in hold with a pro dancer.

Behind the judges' desks once again are acid tongued adjudicator Craig Revel Horwood, Let’s Dance Germany judge Motsi Mabuse, NTA winning judge Anton Du Beke and the Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas, who is back as Head Judge.

The fab-u-lous four have been sharing their thoughts on the 21st series of Strictly and revealing what they were up when they were 21.

Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel-Horwood in a suit and bowtie, Shirley Ballas in a yellow dress, Motsi Mabuse in a pink top and black trousers.
L-R: Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke (Image: ±«Óãtv/Ray Burmiston)

Can you guess who was a baker by day and a dancer by night? Or who celebrated their 21st birthday in a haystack?

In addition to all this, Dave Arch and his wonderful band are once again providing the soundtrack to Saturday and Sunday nights all across the UK - plus there is so much more for viewers to look forward to, including unforgettable group routines, world class music acts, theme weeks and of course the much anticipated annual trip to the iconic and much loved Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

When is Strictly It Takes Two back?

Fleur East in a red pantsuit, Janette Manrara in a beige patterned crop top and skirt, standing in front of a glittery curtain background
(Image: ±«Óãtv/Ray Burmiston)

Strictly It Takes Two returns to ±«Óãtv Two from 6.30pm on 25 September. Fans can look forward to an exciting season, featuring dynamic duo Janette Manrara and Fleur East.

Fleur will bring her infectious energy to the It Takes Two stage. With her unique perspective as a Strictly finalist, Fleur is poised to offer insightful commentary and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses alongside Janette, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.

Janette's wealth of experience on the dance floor has made her a popular figure amongst contestants and viewers alike and she is ready once more to offer engaging interviews with this series’ celebrities and professional dancers.

Joanne Clifton will be back to front Choreography corner but this time she is tag-teaming with her brother Kevin Clifton. They will be breaking down how you can recreate some Fab-U-Lous dance moves at home and analysing the weekends dance moves.

Listen to the Strictly Come Dancing Official Podcast

Composite image featuring the Strictly Come Dancing glitterball, alongside podcast hosts Joe Sugg and Kim Winston. Text on the image reads: "Official Podcast".

Strictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast by ±«Óãtv Studios returns for a new series on 16 September. The perfect accompaniment to the fan-favourite dance programme bringing more stories, secrets and behind-the-scenes interviews

Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Joe Sugg and Strictly superfan and producer Kim Winston are back on hosting duties bringing with them their extensive knowledge of the show and sharing listeners love of all things cha cha cha and waltz!

After each Sunday night results show airs on ±«Óãtv One, fans can download the latest episode of the podcast on ±«Óãtv Sounds where our hosts will reflect on that week’s results and take listeners backstage for news, interviews, games, laughter and tears. They’ll be speaking exclusively to the contestants, professional dancers, judges and the backstage crew who bring the party on the dancefloor to screens.

Strictly Come Dancing

More Strictly

Rebuild Page

The page will automatically reload. You may need to reload again if the build takes longer than expected.

Useful links

Theme toggler

Select a theme and theme mode and click "Load theme" to load in your theme combination.

Theme:
Theme Mode: