Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this Saturday, with pregnant Dianne Buswell at the center of preview materials that show her wielding the glitterball trophy as the professional dancers perform in daring see-through outfits and Jessie J belts out a ballad that underscores a ballroom-style routine. The preview also spotlights hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, whose contrasting styles are reflected in their outfits: Claudia in a ruched black dress with smoky eye makeup and sharp-cut bangs, and Tess in a fuchsia ensemble paired with silver stilettos and loose blonde curls. The judging panel — Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke — is featured, with Jessie J appearing as a special guest as a dramatic score unfolds on stage.
Developments teased by the clips include a dazzling group number in blue tones that drives a jazzy routine, while Buswell, who is pregnant, wears a bejewelled tassel dress and is lifted into the air by a muscular partner.
Claudia Winkleman recently opened up about working with Daly, calling her co-host the kindest and greatest human to work with and noting two backstage rituals: she must eat crisps and she gives Daly a pre-show hug. Daly herself described the launch show as her personal highlight and said the first group dance is always a key moment as viewers start to see which celebrities have the potential to go far. She added that the magic of the show lies in its sense of anticipation and its festive sparkle, including the professional group dances that often leave audiences awestruck.
Fans got a sense of the year's energy from the announced lineup, which includes Alex Kingston, Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison, Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink and Ellie Goldstein, all set to dance under the eyes of judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Shirley Ballas. Daly looked ahead to the season's tone, emphasizing the joy of meeting new celebrities and the thrill of seeing them take the floor for the first group dance. She described their 21st year as co-hosts with Daly as a privilege and spoke of the show's enduring appeal, including its ability to bring families to the sofa on weekend nights.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this Saturday at 6:40 p.m. and will be available to stream on iPlayer.