Overview

• The pre-recorded launch aired at 6:40pm on BBC One and iPlayer, unveiling this year’s couples including Dani Dyer with Nikita Kuzmin, Lewis Cope with Katya Jones, Ross King with Jowita Przystał, Chris Robshaw with Nadiya Bychkova and La Voix with Aljaž Škorjanec.
• Reigning champion Dianne Buswell performed during the pro group number after announcing her pregnancy, and Jessie J appeared as musical guest following her disclosure of early breast cancer and recent surgeries.
• The BBC says enhanced welfare measures remain in place, including welfare producers for celebrities and professionals and mandatory production presence in training rooms.
• Public voting moves to online-only this series, with the broadcaster citing audience habits, cost and BT’s withdrawal of the phone-voting service.
• Live shows begin 27 September, the Blackpool special is set for 22 November and the final is scheduled for 20 December, as scrutiny of cast conduct and reported police inquiries continues, including recent headlines involving contestant Thomas Skinner and a BBC standards warning.