Strictly Come Dancing returns for its 23rd series with 15 celebrity contestants and organisers attempting to refocus attention on the show itself after a turbulent year for the programme.
At an annual press event ahead of the launch, former Love Island winner Dani Dyer said she hoped to get her father, actor Danny Dyer, up on the dancefloor and described the new series as "one of the biggest shows I've done since Love Island." The event gave journalists a chance to meet most of the line-up and hear how the contestants were approaching the live competition.
Senior BBC figures will be keen to steer public and media interest back to the programme after a series of controversies. Last year saw questions raised about the conduct of some professional dancers, and more recently the corporation has faced an investigation into alleged drug use by two of the show's participants and reported that an unnamed star was arrested on suspicion of rape. The BBC has not named individuals in relation to those inquiries and said it would co-operate with any investigations.
Contestants at the press event emphasised the glamour and theatricality of the show while also acknowledging nerves about performing live. Dyer said she was looking forward to "being a bit sexy" and dressing up after becoming a mother, adding that her father had supported her when Rose Ayling‑Ellis previously competed on the programme. La Voix, who gained prominence on RuPaul's Drag Race UK, described the experience of costume and make-up as living a dream and joked that they were keen to be "Strictified."
Vicky Pattison, who first found fame on Geordie Shore, said she had returned to therapy to manage nerves and had received support from former contestants. "Everyone's handling me with kid gloves at the moment," she said, adding that she was determined to enjoy the experience and not let anxiety get in the way. Social media personality George Clarke acknowledged that his nerves tended to arrive just before he performed, while model and influencer Ellie Goldstein said she felt both "excited and nervous" but saw the nerves as a positive sign.
Several contestants played down fears of the so‑called "Strictly curse," in which past participants have entered relationships during or after the show. La Voix said, "Bring it on, I'm single!" Dyer, who married footballer Jarrod Bowen earlier this year, said she had no concerns; other competitors, including actress Alex Kingston, said their age or personal circumstances made the issue moot.
The press event also highlighted differences in dance experience among the celebrities. Former athlete Harry Aikines‑Aryeetey said a previous appearance on a Strictly Christmas special had been a useful taster for the live environment. Ex‑Lioness Karen Carney said she had danced as a child but expected learning to perform in heels would be a challenge. Former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw, who has not danced competitively, said he hoped his experience of performing under pressure would be an asset.
There was a late change to the line‑up after Kristian Nairn, who had been due to compete, pulled out on medical grounds. Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope was drafted in at short notice and said he had been placed in a hip‑hop group for several years earlier in his life, but had little time to prepare after joining the show within 24 hours. Ross King, ITV's Los Angeles correspondent, joked about swapping the warm Californian climate for a London autumn.
Soap stars flagged the chance to show different sides of themselves to viewers who might conflate actors with their on‑screen characters. Balvinder Sopal, known for playing Suki Kaur Panesar in EastEnders, said Strictly offered an opportunity to show who she is beyond her soap persona. Stefan Dennis, who played Paul Robinson for decades on Neighbours, said he hoped the programme would reveal "the real Stefan Dennis" rather than the villainous character many viewers know.
Former footballer and manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, who has daughters involved in dance, said his family would be supportive and joked that he did not want to be "bossed around" by more accomplished dancers. Contestants also spoke about the practicalities of the competition: adapting to choreography, learning to perform in costume and dealing with the spotlight of Saturday night live television.
Producers and BBC executives did not comment at the event on ongoing investigations, but the network has previously said it takes such matters seriously and will follow due process. For now, the focus at the press gathering was on preparation, costume fittings and the mixture of excitement and apprehension that accompanies signing up for a high‑profile live contest. The new series will aim to deliver the mix of entertainment, dancing and celebrity narrative that has long defined Strictly Come Dancing.
The series launch and first live shows will test how the programme balances those production challenges with audience expectations. Contestants and producers alike signalled that, despite nerves and external scrutiny, the aim is to present a family‑friendly entertainment show that highlights performance and spectacle.