Overview

• Tonight’s pre-recorded launch airs at 6:40pm on BBC One and iPlayer, revealing celebrity–pro pairings, with the first live show on September 27.
• Ellie Goldstein becomes the show’s first contestant with Down’s syndrome and La Voix competes as its first drag queen on a full-length season.
• Reigning champion Dianne Buswell performs in the pro group routine while pregnant, and Jessie J is the launch show’s musical guest.
• The BBC has added rehearsal oversight, dedicated welfare producers and enhanced production training, and has moved audience voting to online-only after phone providers withdrew services.
• Two new professionals, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, join the returning roster, and early betting places Lewis Cope among the frontrunners.