Strictly Come Dancing has waltzed back onto British television screens for its 23rd season, launching with a star-studded episode on September 20, 2025. The much-anticipated return of the beloved BBC series brought with it a fresh set of celebrity and professional dancer pairings, a handful of emotional performances, and a new approach to voting that’s already sparking conversation among fans and contestants alike.
The launch show, broadcast on BBC One and iPlayer, set the stage for another glittering race to the iconic Glitterball trophy, with the grand final scheduled for December 20. The evening opened with a vibrant group number featuring the professional dancers and judges, before last year’s champions, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, took to the floor once again. Their waltz to "You'll Never Walk Alone"—the same routine that won them the 2025 Bafta for most memorable moment—left many viewers reaching for tissues. As McCausland reflected on his journey, he said, "It was the most proud I've ever been of anything in my life," according to the BBC.
The show also marked a poignant return for pop singer Jessie J, who delivered her new single "Living My Best Life" in a striking red suit. Her performance was especially meaningful, coming just months after she revealed a breast cancer diagnosis. Before stepping onto the stage, Jessie J shared a backstage photo with professional dancer Amy Dowden, who herself missed the 2023 season due to cancer treatment. Addressing the crowd, Jessie J asked, "Strictly, are you ready to dance?"—a rallying call that set the tone for the evening.
But it wasn’t just the performances that had people talking. This year’s Strictly features a significant change: for the first time, voting will be conducted entirely online. The BBC explained that the traditional premium-rate phone voting system had become “outdated and expensive to run,” prompting the move to a digital-only format. While some welcomed the update, others questioned whether it would affect the show’s accessibility, especially for older viewers less comfortable with technology.
As always, the heart of Strictly lies in its pairings, and this year’s lineup is nothing short of eclectic. Among the most talked-about contestants is Thomas Skinner, the businessman and former Apprentice star. Skinner, who’s been in the headlines for both personal and professional reasons, was paired with Amy Dowden. Expressing his excitement, Skinner told the BBC, “I’m over the moon to be partnered with Amy. I hope you can teach me a few moves because I’m useless at the minute.” Dowden, in turn, praised her celebrity partner amid a swirl of fan reactions and social media chatter.
Skinner’s participation hasn’t been without controversy. In the weeks leading up to the launch, he faced a barrage of criticism from Strictly fans, some of whom questioned his inclusion and speculated on the impact it might have on Dowden’s return. The backlash intensified after Skinner was photographed wearing a MAGA (Make America Great Again) cap at a barbecue hosted by US Vice President JD Vance in Surrey this August. On social media, Skinner insisted he had no political allegiance, despite invitations from various political parties. “Yes, all the political parties have come knocking wanting me to work with them from both the left and right. But I ain’t got no interest in that. I’m not for them. I’m for the people. For the man or woman on the street who just wants to do better in life,” he posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Skinner described the past few weeks as “horrific,” acknowledging the insults and backlash he’s received. Yet, he remains defiant: “Let me tell you this. I won’t be cancelled. I’m still here. I’m still standing. Trust me when I say this; I am stronger than people think.” He also admitted to making mistakes, including an incident where he left a press conference early and picked up a journalist’s phone, for which he apologized publicly. “Life ain’t easy. I’ve been kicked down and called every name under the sun recently and probably some of it I deserve, as yes I ain’t always right,” Skinner wrote, later adding, “You start a war with me….. you don’t win. You start a war with my family & friends…the whole lot of us rise together.”
Elsewhere in the lineup, reality TV star Vicky Pattison is paired with Kai Widdrington, and she said she was “thrilled” about the partnership. Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston teams up with Johannes Radebe, describing him as her “number one.” EastEnders actor Balvinder Sopal, calling her appearance a “dream come true,” is matched with Julian Caillon, who’s making his debut as one of two new professional dancers this season. Other notable pairings include Love Island winner Dani Dyer-Bowen with Nikita Kuzmin, Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis with last year’s winner Dianne Buswell, and former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw with Nadiya Bychkova.
Breaking new ground, model Ellie Goldstein becomes the first person with Down’s syndrome to compete on the main series of Strictly. She’s partnered with Vito Coppola, and the duo delighted audiences during the launch with a “secret handshake.” The show’s commitment to diversity and inclusion has been widely applauded, with many viewers expressing excitement about seeing Goldstein take to the dancefloor.
The rest of the celebrity-professional pairings round out a cast that spans sports, entertainment, and social media: internet star George Clarke with Alexis Warr, Gladiators’ Harry Aikines-Aryeetey with Karen Hauer (who promised a cha cha cha to Salt-N-Pepa’s “Push It”), singer and drag performer La Voix with Aljaž Škorjanec, and former footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink with Lauren Oakley, among others. Each pairing brings its own unique energy and story, promising a dynamic and unpredictable competition in the weeks ahead.
For some, the launch show was a celebration of resilience and fresh starts. For others, it was a reminder of the scrutiny that comes with life in the public eye. As Thomas Skinner put it, “This country is beautiful. Full of beautiful people. I love it with all my heart. It’s built on graft, pride, community and family. It’s built on good people from all walks of life. Not people that gave up!”
With paired dances set to begin on the weekend of September 27, the countdown to the Glitterball trophy is officially underway. As Strictly Come Dancing settles into its new season, the mix of drama, diversity, and dancing promises to keep audiences glued to their screens—and talking—right up to the grand finale.
