STRICTLY Come Dancing returned this weekend and this year's celebrities were partnered up with their dancers in an emotional launch show.
An array of celebrities including soap legends Nigel Harman, Les Dennis, BBC royalty Angela Rippon and Love Island's Zara McDermott took to the Strictly dance floor on Saturday night.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcomed back the professional dancers and even shared a sweet message to dancing pro Amy Dowden, amidst her battle with breast cancer.
The show also made a touching tribute to beloved Strictly judge Len Goodman, who passed away earlier this year.
Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse could be seen sharing their favourite memories of the favourite judge.
Read our Strictly Come Dancing blog below for the latest news and updates…
- By Louis Regan
Amy Dowden’s cancer battle
Professional Strictly dancer Amy Dowen announced she will stay out of the ballroom while she continues to receive cancer treatment.
Brave Amy, 33, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May and has suffered hair loss after undergoing treatment.
She took to social media to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Amy said she now needs chemotherapy after more tumours were discovered following her recent mastectomy.
Posting her journey on social media, she said: “I can’t now leave the house without something on the top of my head because unfortunately, [I’m] quite bald on top.”
- By Louis Regan
Love Island’s first ever star takes on Strictly
Zara McDermott became the show’s first ever Love Island star when she took to the dancefloor last night with partner Graziano Di Prima.
The 26-year-old, who entered the villa on the ITV2 programme in 2018, hopes to show off her best move in the dancing competition.
Since shooting to fame five years ago, Zara has created her own documentaries for the BBC and appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity.
- By Louis Regan
Who are the past winners?
All eyes are on tonight’s performances to see who might be crowned the next Strictly champion.
This year one more famous name could be added to the hall of fame.
Here’s a list of the past winners:
- 2004: Natisha Kaplinsky (partner Brendan Cole)
- 2004: Jill Halfpenny (partner Darren Bennett)
- 2005: Darren Gough (partner Lilia Kopylova)
- 2006: Mark Ramprakash (partner Karen Hardy)
- 2007: Alesha Dixon (partner Matthew Cutler)
- 2008: Tom Chambers (partner Camilla Dallerup)
- 2009: Chris Hollins (partner Ola Jordan)
- 2010: Kara Tointon (partner Artem Chigvintsev)
- 2011: Harry Judd (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2012: Louis Smith (partner Flavia Cacace)
- 2013: Abbey Clancy (partner Aljaž Škorjanec)
- 2014: Caroline Flack (partner Pasha Kovalev)
- 2015: Jay McGuiness (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2016: Ore Oduba (partner Joanne Clifton)
- 2017: Joe McFadden (partner Katya Jones)
- 2018: Stacey Dooley (partner Kevin Clifton)
- 2019: Kelvin Fletcher (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2020: Bill Bailey (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis (partner Giovanni Pernice)
- 2022: Hamza Yassin (partner Jowita Przystał)
- By Louis Regan
Fans share concern for 'runt of litter' Les Dennis
Viewers last night took to X, formerly Twitter, to speculate whether the beloved presenter would make it out of the first week.
One viewer remarked that the contestant has "less chance of winning than Bernard Manning with a wasp nest down his pants".
Another user feared the funny man could be "the runt of the litter" as he strutted during his opening performance.
However, not all were scathing of the former Corrie actor.
"Les, I've got you in our Strictly Sweepstake this year," one punter said.
"I'm confident you will win!! GO LES!"
- By Louis Regan
The ‘single-ready-to-mingle’ stars
Fans are looking forward to Strictly romance stories and sexual tensions between dancing pairs just like previous editions.
In 2021 singletons AJ Odudu and Kai Widdrington delivered some of the steamiest performances the show has ever seen.
Pussycat Dolls singer and finalist Ashley Roberts was the representative of the tribe in 2018 – and hooked up with pro dancer Giovanni Pernice.
This year EastEnders’ Bobby Brazier has said he’s single and is “looking for a really sweet lovely endearing experience” with his pro partner.
He told The Sun: “I’m single, I’m looking for a beautiful relationship – like a big sister.”
- By Louis Regan
Judge speaks out about father's alcoholism
Veteran judge Craig Revel Horwood revealed how his father "drank himself to death" when he died in 2015, aged 74.
Speaking to a podcast about the last time he saw him, Craig, 58, said: “He became an old eccentric and when the gate closed for the last time he looked so bad and he was drinking heavily.
“When he finally drank himself to death we thought he had had a fall and hit his head on the television".
The celebrated Strictly stalwart ironically thanked his father for the turbulent childhood he suffered at his father's hands.
He said: “I think without the abuse, bizarrely, I wouldn’t have been forced out of the house into dance class."
Credit: BBC - By Louis Regan
Hamza Yassin breaks down in tears during this season's launch
The 2022 winner appeared on the stage during the flagship programme's season launch.
The wildlife presenter and cameraman won the 2022 series alongside Jowita Przystał after winning over viewers with his sweet personality and brilliant routines on the dance floor.
However, last winner's victor soon became visibly emotional.
He tearfully said: "[Strictly] is the best thing I have ever done, I've been all over the world.
"Strictly has just been, why am I crying? Strictly has been, one of the best things I have ever done."
Turning to Jowita, he continued: "Sharing the stage with this lovely lady and the things she has taught me about life, Jowita, Strictly, thank you."
- By Louis Regan
Irked viewers "switch off" after "fake" laughter sounds
A number of Strictly viewers were left unimpressed last night after accusations of a repetitious "canned" laughter track.
Disgruntled fans glued to their telly for the show's first episode took to X, formerly Twitter, to issue similar complaints.
User @The_Axeman stated: "#Strictly #scd What the hell is going on with the rather fake-sounding laugh track on tonight’s Strictly?!? Seriously, this better not be the taste of things to come!"
""What's wrong with the crowd noise on #strictly sounds like they are mixing in canned laughter," @lushattic chimed in.
- By Louis Regan
Who are the Strictly Come Dancing judges?
The Strictly Come Dancing judging panel has changed a few times over the years.
It started with Craig Revel-Horwood, Bruno Tonioli, Arlene Phillips and Len Goodman.
Who are the Strictly Come Dancing judges?
Credit: BBC
- By Louis Regan
Fans tear up as host and judges pay touching tribute to "perfect" Len Goodman
The much-loved former judge died Saturday peacefully and surrounded by family at a hospice in Kent in April.
Len was head judge on the BBC's flagship programme from 2004 until 2016, before he was succeeded by Shirley Ballas.
Host Tess Daly said: "Len was a true gentleman, he was just so good natured and just so warm. The Len you saw on TV was the Len you saw in real life, there was no separation."
Co-host Claudia added: "He was perfect in every way, Len could light up a room, so when you were with Len you felt a glow."
Judge Anton Du Beke said: "Judge Anton Du Beke said:"Len is someone you want to have as a friend, and I was fortunate to have him as a friend for many years."
Len's successor Shirley Ballas weighed in: "He was not only a personal friend to myself but he was loved all over the world."
Credit: AFP - By Louis Regan
What is the Strictly curse?
The "curse" is a phenomenon that hits celebrities and their dance partners during their time on Strictly Come Dancing.
Due to the harsh schedules, sexy dance moves and close quarters with their partners, their off-screen romances sometimes suffer as a result.
Strictly became regarded as "cursed" after a series of very public break-ups from show participants – and ever since, more and more fan favourites have succumbed.
You can comb through some of the curse's previous victims here.
- By Louis Regan
Presenters Tess and Claudia pay tribute to dancer Amy Dowden
The hosts shared their well wishes to the professional dancer who is currently battling breast Cancer.
Pro dancer Amy, 33, is undergoing treatment after she was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer in May.
The dancing star recently opened up about her terrifying battle with sepsis.
Tess Daly said: "We are of course missing one of our professional dancers, our gorgeous Amy Dowden is unwell and she can't be with us for the start of the series.
"She's our Welsh dragon and we know she'll be back soon."
- By Louis Regan
Annabel Croft speaks out about her grief following husband's death
The 56-year-old former tennis star's husband Mel Coleman, 60, sadly passed away after he was diagnosed with stage 3 cancer.
Eurosport, Sky Sports and BBC presenter Annabel married America's Cup yachtsman Mel in 1992 after they met by chance just before she hung up her racket as a professional player.
Annabel revealed Mel was an avid Strictly fan, and hopes he was looking down on her as she shone under the lights last night.
“My husband absolutely loved it," she said.
He used to call me over if I was cooking, and he was crying watching it.
"So, I hope he’s watching.”
Credit: Getty - By Louis Regan
Strictly is back
Fans are elated after the nation's favourite dance show returned to our screens last night.
It may have been dizzying trying to keep tabs of the contestants strutting their stuff with their professional partners.
Here's the breakdown of the stars who swept us off our feet:
- Amanda Abbington – Actress
- Zara McDermott – Reality Star and Documentary host
- Jody Cundy – Paralympian
- Krishnan Guru-Murthy – Channel 4 News Presenter
- Bobby Brazier – Actor
- Layton Williams – Actor
- Nigel Harman – Actor
- Angela Rippon – Broadcaster and Journalist
- Ellie Leach – Actress
- Eddie Kadi – Comedian and Presenter
- Annabel Croft – Tennis player and Presenter
- Adam Thomas – Actor
- Angela Scanlon – Presenter
- Nikita Kanda – Radio Presenter
- Les Dennis – Comedian and Presenter
Les Dennis reveals moment he knew Amanda Holden was too young for him
In 1995, the two tied the knot in 1995 when Les was 42 and Amanda 24.
The two split in 2000 after Amanda's affair with Neil Morrissey was exposed.
The two reconciled, then separated, and ultimately divorced in 2002.
Presenter and comedian Des lifted the lid on the exact moment his seniority became clear.
Speaking on Richard Herring's podcast – Richard Herring's Leicester Square Theatre podcasts – Les said: "I'm in our house in Highgate and it was Grand National Day and the plumber was there to fix the washing machine and Amanda came running in and said 'we need to put a bet on'.
"I said 'What?' and she said 'It's the Grand National.' I said ok great and handed her £10 and she said 'Oh we need to put more than that on' and I went ok here's £20. And the plumber went 'Kid's Eh?'."
- By Jimmy Grant
Angela Rippon reveals health worries
Angela Rippon, 78, is the oldest Strictly contestant to date.
The broadcaster has revealed she is worried her health issues might get in the way during rehearsals.
She said: “I’m doing some breathwork. I have asthma and one of my worries is that the asthma would get in the way of my breathing so I’m doing a bit of work on that.
“I’ve spoken to my friend who’s a dancer who said ‘you need to stop breathing through your nose and you need to breathe through your mouth!
“So I need to get my fitness up, I’m supple because I do stretches every morning but I’m not necessarily fit.
“I play tennis and I can run around a tennis court, but I imagine that’s very different to this!”
Credit: Getty - By Jimmy Grant
Adam Thomas plans to make his kids proud
Adam Thomas is ready to take the Strictly Come Dancing stage and all he wants is to put a smile on his kids’ face.
The actor revealed his wife and children will be hooked to the TV every weekend in support of the loving dad.
He told RadioTimes: “They’re rooting for me. And then having them in the audience on a Saturday night cheering me on would just be the icing on the cake for me. And I think that’s why I’m doing it.
“We go on this journey, but also my family is going on this journey with us. Especially my kids and my wife, as long as they’ve got a smile on the face, every Saturday night, I’ve done my job.
“As long as I can make my kids happy, that’s all that matters to me.”
- By Jimmy Grant
Amy Dowden's cancer battle
Professional Strictly dancer Amy Dowen announced she will stay out of the ballroom while she continues to receive cancer treatment.
Brave Amy, 33, was diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May and has suffered hair loss after undergoing treatment.
She took to social media to raise awareness for breast cancer.
Amy said she now needs chemotherapy after more tumours were discovered following her recent mastectomy.
Posting her journey on social media, she said: “I can’t now leave the house without something on the top of my head because unfortunately, [I’m] quite bald on top.”
- By Jimmy Grant
Gorka ‘almost quit’ Strictly
Strictly Come Dancing pro Gorka Marquez revealed he came close to quitting.
Gorka, 33, first appeared on stage in 2016 and is now one of the most popular faces on the show.
He has an amazing track record and has finished as runner-up three times.
But he has now admitted that he nearly decided not to return for tonight’s edition.
It came as he felt he was missing out on family time last year after welcoming his second child Thiago.
- By Jimmy Grant
Who are Strictly's past winners?
All eyes are on tonight’s performances to see who might be crowned the next Strictly champion.
This year one more famous name could be added to the hall of fame.
Here’s a list of the past winners:
- 2004: Natisha Kaplinsky (partner Brendan Cole)
- 2004: Jill Halfpenny (partner Darren Bennett)
- 2005: Darren Gough (partner Lilia Kopylova)
- 2006: Mark Ramprakash (partner Karen Hardy)
- 2007: Alesha Dixon (partner Matthew Cutler)
- 2008: Tom Chambers (partner Camilla Dallerup)
- 2009: Chris Hollins (partner Ola Jordan)
- 2010: Kara Tointon (partner Artem Chigvintsev)
- 2011: Harry Judd (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2012: Louis Smith (partner Flavia Cacace)
- 2013: Abbey Clancy (partner Aljaž Škorjanec)
- 2014: Caroline Flack (partner Pasha Kovalev)
- 2015: Jay McGuiness (partner Aliona Vilani)
- 2016: Ore Oduba (partner Joanne Clifton)
- 2017: Joe McFadden (partner Katya Jones)
- 2018: Stacey Dooley (partner Kevin Clifton)
- 2019: Kelvin Fletcher (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2020: Bill Bailey (partner Oti Mabuse)
- 2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis (partner Giovanni Pernice)
- 2022: Hamza Yassin (partner Jowita Przystał)
Professional dancers ready for the ballroom
This year's fresh lineup is the main event of Strictly Come Dancing, but the professional dancers are also a key part of the cast.
Fans will see regulars such as Nadiya Bychkova, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe or Dianne Buswell among others.
They will also be joined by long-term pros like Karen Hauer, Giovanni Pernice and Katya Jones.
Last year champion Jowita Przystal is also set to wow the audience.
- By Jimmy Grant
Love Island’s first ever star takes on Strictly
Zara McDermott is the show’s first ever Love Island star to take to the dancefloor.
The 26-year-old, who entered the villa on the ITV2 programme in 2018, hopes to show off her best move in the dancing competition.
Since shooting to fame five years ago, Zara has created her own documentaries for the BBC and appeared on The X Factor: Celebrity.
- By Jimmy Grant
Strictly’s Bobby Brazier reveals ‘real reason’ he split with ex girlfriend
Strictly Come Dancing star Bobby Brazier has revealed the ‘real reason’ he split with his ex girlfriend.
The EastEnders actor was interviewed for a TikTok while walking down the street, and he was asked when he was like had a girl round.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
BOBBY EX-PLAINS Strictly’s Bobby Brazier reveals ‘real reason’ he split with ex girlfriend
- By Jimmy Grant
Strictly star Les Dennis has therapy every month after Amanda Holden split
Strictly’s Les Dennis has therapy every month after overhauling his mental health.
The TV entertainer, who has joined this year's BBC dance contest, suffered a very public breakdown while appearing on Celebrity Big Brother in 2002.
It was during the time when his marriage to second wife Amanda Holden was on the rocks and viewers were shocked to watch his depression unfold, as he spoke to chickens in the garden.
He has hinted after the breakdown he suffered a “depressive episode” and sought help.
Les, 69, said: “I have had depressive episodes and I have had my ups and downs like anybody.
“And when I have felt low I have realised that as well as our physical health, that we have to look after our mental health and I believe very much in therapy.
“I see someone once a month to have a mental check up to see that I am feeling ok.
“I always make sure that I get to talk to someone and talking to somebody that doesn’t have an investment in your life and someone separate. I am a big advocate of going to see someone on a 1:1 basis.”
He added: “I don’t want to go deeply into the reasons for my depressive episodes as I have been there before for interviews. But there are things in your life that you don’t see that curve ball coming and so it’s good to let go and talk to somebody about it.”
- By Jimmy Grant
Strictly pro reveals his incredible life story is going to be made into a movie
Pro dancer Johannes Radebe has revealed his life story is about to be turned into a film.
The South African’s rags-to-riches journey was chronicled in his autobiography, Jojo: Finally Home.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
‘MILESTONE’ Strictly pro reveals incredible life story is going to be made into a movie
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