Shirley Ballas, the head judge of Strictly Come Dancing, on Monday posted a behind‑the‑scenes Instagram Story showing a rose‑gold satin robe and a leggy pose as the show prepares to record its launch special.
Ballas, 64, wrote on the Story: "Two more sleeps then we record launch show @bbcstrictly so exciting are you excited?" Her outfit in the snap included feathered cuffs, a navy velour belt, silver‑embellished dancing heels and a pink floral headpiece. The post arrived days after the BBC released the first trailer for the new series.
The 30‑second trailer, released by the BBC, shows Ballas and the professional dancers at a poolside party on the grounds of a mansion, with bright colours, inflatable flamingos and skimpy swimwear giving way to a group dance. The clip previews a routine that will be part of Strictly's launch show, scheduled to air Saturday, Sept. 20, 2025, and features appearances from fellow judges Anton du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse. The broadcast will also introduce two new professional dancers, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, and reveal which of the 15 celebrity contestants will be paired with each pro.
The launch show traditionally culminates in a large group number that sees all celebrities and their partners perform on the same floor for the first time. Producers say the sequence is intended to give viewers an early taste of the season and mark the start of weekly live shows.
The series this year is also the subject of media scrutiny over reports that some celebrity contestants may be using injectable GLP‑1 weight‑loss drugs, such as Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy, in the run‑up to filming. The medications, initially developed to treat diabetes, act on appetite and can produce weight loss by mimicking a gut hormone that promotes feelings of fullness.
A report in The Sun said backstage "talk is rife" about which contestants may be taking such drugs. The newspaper quoted an insider who said the BBC will continue its normal health monitoring protocols but noted production has limited ability to intervene because contestants are not required to disclose prescribed medications. "The BBC will continue with their normal protocols, which see them closely monitor the health of the contestants throughout the time they are on the show, with any sign they're unwell or struggling physically acted upon immediately," the insider told The Sun.
Production sources and former contestants have long described the Strictly rehearsal regime as physically demanding. Rehearsals typically run five days a week and can last up to 12 hours a day, and several celebrities on past series have reported weight loss during the competition. Insiders told media outlets that some participants may begin preparations months in advance to fit into the show's revealing and tightly fitted costumes.
The BBC did not immediately provide additional comment beyond its published guidance that contestants' welfare is monitored throughout filming. Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One with the launch show in September, after which the weekly live series will determine which partnerships advance through viewer votes and judges' scores.