Strictly Come Dancing
Strictly Come Dancing is a popular television programme dedicated to dancing. It has excellent ratings. In this article, we will tell you in detail about its history, format, most interesting participants, hosts and judges, and answer frequently asked questions.
Genre | Dance television show |
Country | Great Britain |
First episode | May 15, 2004 |
Number of episodes per week | 1 (the show airs on Saturdays, and the results are announced on Sundays) |
Production | Broadcast on BBC One, developed by BBC One |
Number of seasons | 22 aired, 23th season to be launched |
Episode duration | 90 minutes |
Basic information about the show
Strictly Come Dancing dancers
This is a British dance project, one of the most prestigious programmes on TV. Its name is a combination of the film Strictly Ballroom and the previous BBC dance series Come Dancing.
History of the show
The first episode of Strictly Come Dancing aired on BBC One on 15 May 2004. The show is a continuation of the long-running Come Dancing project.
In 2010, Guinness World Records recognised Strictly Come Dancing as the world's most successful reality show format.
The franchise was sold to 60 countries under the name Dancing with the Stars under licence from BBC Worldwide.
Strictly Come Dancing World Record
In 2024, Strictly Come Dancing was recognised as the best entertainment programme at the British Academy Television Awards.
A new season will start in 2025 and will run from September to December. The programme is expected to be broadcast in the run-up to Christmas and will be festive. There were rumours about the show being cancelled, but viewers will be able to see it again tonight, Saturday.
Format
Strictly Come Dancing
The project features couples consisting of a professional dancer and a celebrity: an actor or TV presenter. After each performance, the participants are given scores by the judges.
In 2023, there was one change to the format of Strictly Come Dancing: after their performance, the couples no longer showed a dance fragment.
The show has a number of features: celebrities compete mainly in ballroom and Latin American dances.
Voting
In Strictly Come Dancing, viewers vote for the contestants they think should advance to the next round. This can be done by telephone or online voting on the official website or in the app.
The results of the audience vote are added to the judges' scores. If, for example, there are 10 couples left, the jury's favourite is awarded ten points, the second favourite nine points, and so on. The contestants in last place receive one point.
Strictly Come Dancing voting
Voting on the show takes place every week after the couples' performances. It starts immediately after the programme on Saturday evening and ends 24 hours before the results are announced.
Sometimes the voting period is extended, for example, in the event of a double elimination or other events.
Each couple is assigned a personal telephone number, which viewers can see on the television screen. The audience has the opportunity to vote multiple times.
The official website of the project has a voting platform, which requires registration and the creation of an account to use.
Viewers can also vote via the official mobile app, which also requires registration.
In addition, votes are collected in the form of SMS messages sent to a specific telephone number.
The voting results are displayed on a scoreboard, visible to both viewers and participants.
Strictly Come Dancing winners 2004-2024
Where is Strictly Come Dancing filmed?
Since 2013, Strictly Come Dancing has been filmed at Elstree Studios in Borehamwood, London. The exception is Blackpool Week, when the contestants perform at the Tower Ballroom.
Where can I watch Strictly Come Dancing?
Strictly Come Dancing is broadcast on BBC One. It can also be viewed on the BBC iPlayer streaming platform.
How do I apply for Strictly Come Dancing?
Applications to participate in Strictly Come Dancing are submitted on the show's official website by filling out a special form with personal details:
- Full name;
- Age;
- Gender;
- Place of residence;
- Telephone number.
It is important to check all details before submitting. Only adults who are citizens of Great Britain are eligible to participate in the show.
Strictly Come Dancing contestants
Strictly Come Dancing contestants 2025
Strictly Come Dancing contestants form couples consisting of professional dancers and stars of television, cinema or theatre.
The most interesting Strictly Come Dancing contestants
The project's leaderboard has looked different in different years. Let's say a few words about the most memorable contestants on the show.
Strictly Come Dancing Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice
Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice. This couple won the 19th season in 2021. During their performance, they performed an Argentine Tango and a dance in honour of the deaf community, which included a silent segment, which is what made them memorable to viewers.
Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse. They won the 18th season in 2020. Bill is the oldest contestant among all the show's winners.
Kelvin Fletcher. Won the 17th season. Known for his role in the hit soap opera Emmerdale. Fletcher won over the show's audience not only with his dancing skills but also with his charisma.
Strictly Come Dancing contestants
Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton. Won the 16th season in 2018. They proved to viewers that they are a harmonious couple who perform beautifully on the dance floor.
Caroline Flack. Winner of the 12th season in 2014. The TV presenter impressed the judges with perfect scores for all her performances.
Strictly Come Dancing winners
The strongest couples make it to the final of the show. The winners of the show in different years are the most outstanding participants. The announcement of their names in the final of each season is always an intrigue that keeps an army of viewers glued to their TV screens.
Winners of Strictly Come Dancing
Season | Winners |
|---|---|
1(2004) | Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole |
2(2004) | Jill Halfpenny and Darren Bennett |
3(2005) | Darren Gough and Lilia Kopylova |
4(2006) | Mark Ramprakash and Karen Hardy |
5(2007) | Alesha Dixon and Matthew Cutler |
6(2008) | Tom Chambers and Camilla Dallerup |
7(2009) | Chris Hollins and Ola Jordan |
8(2010) | Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev |
9(2011) | Harry Judd and Aliona Vilani |
10(2012) | Louis Smith and Flavia Cacace |
11(2013) | Abbey Clancy and Aljaž Škorjanec |
12(2014) | Caroline Flack and Pasha Kovalev |
13(2015) | Jay McGuiness and Aliona Vilani |
14(2016) | Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton |
15(2017) | Joe McFadden and Katya Jones |
16(2018) | Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton |
17(2019) | Kelvin Fletcher and Oti Mabuse |
18(2020) | Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse |
19(2021) | Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice |
20(2022) | Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał |
21(2023) | Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola |
22(2024) | Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell |
Oti Mabuse and Alona Vilani are the only professionals to have won twice.
Strictly Come Dancing judges
Strictly Come Dancing judges
Over the years, the Strictly Come Dancing judging panel has included such well-known personalities as:
- Craig Revel Horwood
- Bruno Tonioli
- Len Goodman
- Arlene Phillips
- Alesha Dixon
- Darcey Bussell
- Shirley Ballas
- Motsi Mabuse
- Anton Du Beke
Craig Revel Horwood has been on the show since 2004.
Bruno Tonioli was a judge from 2004 to 2019 and returned to the programme in 2021.
Shirley Ballas has been a member of the judging panel since 2017, as has Motsi Mabuse.
Strictly Come Dancing judges 2025
In 2025, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, and Anton Du Beck will be judging the contestants' performances.
Presenters
The show's presenters are also quite well-known personalities.
Strictly Come Dancing Presenters
Tess Daly has been presenting the programme since 2004, and Claudia Winkleman since 2010. They will remain as presenters in 2025.
Sir Bruce Forsyth presented the programme from 2004 to 2013.
Frequently asked questions
What time is Strictly Come Dancing on?
In September 2025, the show airs at 6:40 p.m. local time and runs until 8:30 p.m.
Who won Strictly Come Dancing 2024?
The winners of Strictly Come Dancing 2024 were Chris McCowland and his partner Dianne Buswell. Their names were announced on 14 December.
When is Strictly Come Dancing 2025?
The first episode of the new season will air on 20 September and will be pre-recorded. Live performances will be broadcast every Saturday until December 2025. The final will take place on 20 December.
What did Wynne Evans say on Strictly Come Dancing?
In November 2024, Wyn Evans talked about his experience on Strictly Come Dancing on his radio show. He noted that he was very nervous before the first shoot, but was pleased with the result. In early 2025, he had to make a public apology for making sexually suggestive comments. The actor and presenter said: ‘My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise.’
Why is Amy not on Strictly Come Dancing?
Amy Dowden left Strictly Come Dancing due to a leg injury. On the advice of doctors, she focused on her recovery, refusing to continue participating in the dance competition.
