Overview

• The pre-recorded launch airs on BBC One at 6.40pm on 20 September, filmed at Elstree, and will unveil the 15 celebrity–professional pairings.
• Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman return alongside judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and head judge Shirley Ballas.
• Buswell says she will take extra care with lifts after being cleared by her doctor to dance during pregnancy.
• Reigning champions Chris McCausland and Buswell will reprise their winning waltz on the launch show, with McCausland joking online about keeping the glitterball.
• Bookmakers have installed Lewis Cope as early favourite and placed Ross King as a long shot at around 66/1, while BBC boss Tim Davie has publicly defended Thomas Skinner’s casting to MPs.