Start date confirmed for Strictly Come Dancing 2023

The Glitterball Trophy is up for grabs!

Author: Alex RossPublished 7th Sep 2023
Last updated 7th Sep 2023

This year's professional dancers have been confirmed, along with the brave celebrities such as Angela Rippon, Adam Thomas and Zara McDermott. And now, the BBC have confirmed when the 21st series of hit entertainment show Strictly Come Dancing will start, and it's sooner than we thought.

When does Strictly Come Dancing start?

The 2023 series is due to begin on Saturday 16th September, according to the BBC's website, it will then run for a huge 13 weeks until Saturday 16th December, if it follows the same format as last year.

After months of rumours as to which famous faces would be taking part this year, bosses started to unveil the line-up at the beginning of August, with Angela Rippon set to become the oldest ever contestant to take part in the show.

Former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott is also making history, becoming the first ever Islander to take part in the series.

Check out this year's Strictly contestants:

Ellie Leach - WINNER

Age: 22
Known for: Coronation Street actress

Layton Williams - FINALIST

Age: 28
Known for: Actor/West End star

Bobby Brazier - FINALIST

Age: 20
Known for: EastEnders actor

Annabel Croft - ELIMINATED

Age: 57
Known for: Former professional tennis player

Nigel Harman - QUIT

Age: 49
Known for: Actor

Angela Rippon - ELIMINATED

Age: 78
Known for: Journalist/TV presenter

Amanda Abbington - QUIT

Age: 49
Known for: Actress

Angela Scanlon - ELIMINATED

Age: 39
Known for: Irish TV presenter

Krishan Guru-Murthy - ELIMINATED

Age: 53
Known for: Journalist/News reader

Adam Thomas - ELIMINATED

Age: 34
Known for: Actor

Zara McDermott - ELIMINATED

Age: 26
Known for: Former Love Island contestant and TV presenter

Eddie Kadi - ELIMINATED

Age: 40
Known for: Comedian/Radio DJ

Jody Cundy - ELIMINATED

Age: 45
Known for: Gold medallist Paralympian

Nikita Kanda - ELIMINATED

Age: Unknown
Known for: Radio DJ

Les Dennis - ELIMINATED

Age: 69
Known for: TV presenter, comedian and actor
Eliminated in Week Two

Anticipation has been rife for the new series ever since last year's show ended in December, which saw Hamza Yassin, Fleur East, Helen Skelton and Molly Rainford take part in the tense final.

Following a number of dances, Hamza and his partner Jowita Przystal were crowned the 2022 winners by the voting public.

Meanwhile, with Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman once again set to host the 21st series, judges Craig Revel Horwood, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will also return, to give their expert opinion on this year's celebrities.

Although the personnel on the main show is set to stay the same, spin-off show Strictly: It Takes Two has had a presenter shake-up, following Rylan Clark's departure from the show.

Instead of Rylan, last year's contestant Fleur East will present the BBC Two show alongside former professional and new mum Janette Manrara.

Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One on Saturday 23rd September.

Now read:

Strictly Come Dancing: All of the confirmed celebs taking part

Giovanni Pernice reveals nasty injury ahead of new series of Strictly

Holly Willoughby being 'lined-up' for hosting role on Strictly Come Dancing

How to listen to heat radio:

If your favourite music icons are the Spice Girls and your favourite Ks are Kylie and the Kardashians, you need heat Radio in your life! heat Radio is portable, so you can listen to us on the move. Simply download our app from your phone’s app store, listen online at heatradio.com and at heatworld.com. We’re on all the smart speakers too, just say “play heat Radio".