Overview

• The launch airs Saturday, September 20 at 6:40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, introducing all 15 celebrities in a pre-recorded episode that unveils their professional partners.
• First-look photos show the full cast, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and judges Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke, as Ballas teases “exciting changes” and “twists and turns.”
• Singer Jessie J appears as the musical guest, last year’s champions Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell return for a cameo, and the show features a group number by the new pairings.
• Two new professionals, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, join a returning pro lineup in a series that includes Ellie Goldstein, noted as the show’s first contestant with Down syndrome.
• Pre-show storylines include reported bookmaker odds placing Lewis Cope at 5/2 and Ross King at 66/1, a press-event walkout by Thomas Skinner, Balvinder Sopal’s physio visit, and Vicky Pattison reporting a car incident with no injuries.