The glitz and glamour of Strictly Come Dancing are back, and this year’s launch is already making headlines for more than just its sparkling routines. As the BBC’s beloved dance competition returns to living rooms across the UK on September 20, 2025, at 6:40 pm, not only are fans eager to see which celebrities will waltz their way to the top, but the show’s first episode is packed with drama, emotional revelations, and a few surprises that have set social media abuzz.
One of the evening’s most talked-about moments came not from the ballroom, but from the O2 Arena the night before. According to the BBC, Pete Wicks, 36, and Jowita Przystal, 31, stunned thousands of fans during a live performance for the Staying Relevant podcast. Their sultry routine, set to KALEO’s “Way Down We Go,” ended with three passionate kisses, confirming months of speculation about their romantic relationship. The crowd erupted in applause as the duo performed choreography that had been planned for the Strictly finale—a finale they narrowly missed.
The performance quickly made its way onto TikTok and Instagram, where fans described the moment as a “hard launch” of Pete and Jowita’s romance. Comments poured in under the podcast’s latest upload, with one follower asking, “Was that like a hard launch?” and another declaring, “You and Jowita,” punctuated by a heart-eye emoji. The chemistry between the two was palpable, and their public display left little doubt: the Strictly partnership had blossomed into something more.
Rumors about Pete and Jowita’s relationship had been swirling since August, when Pete posted an emotional birthday tribute to Jowita, sharing photos from their time together on Strictly and writing, “It was never about dancing...it was about the person. Happy birthday @jowitaprzystal – I am so blessed and grateful to have you in life. My pocket rocket.” According to the Daily Mail, an insider confirmed, “Pete and Jowita are now an item, they’ve been dating for a few weeks. They kept things professional on Strictly, there was no crossover with Maura [Higgins]. But once Pete was single they grew close again and recently the relationship has blossomed into something more.”
For fans, the romance is a welcome twist in the ongoing Strictly saga, and social media has been quick to embrace the pair. One commenter wrote, “This is 1000% who he’s in love with,” while another added, “Would love it if Pete and Jowita were together, they suit each other so much.” The couple’s story adds a layer of real-life drama to a show already famed for its emotional highs and lows.
But the excitement doesn’t end there. Tonight’s launch show on BBC One promises to be a spectacle in its own right, featuring 15 new celebrity contestants paired with their professional dance partners. Among the hopefuls is George Clarke, a 25-year-old social media sensation from Bristol. Known for his comedic YouTube videos and gaming vlogs, George boasts over 2 million TikTok followers and 678,000 fans on Instagram. He also co-hosts the popular podcast The Useless Hotline alongside Max Balegde, and has even performed live at Reading Festival.
George’s journey to the Strictly ballroom is an unconventional one. He originally studied sports and exercise science at the University of Exeter before finding fame online, collaborating with the YouTube group The Sidemen and mingling with former Strictly contestant Joe Sugg. The Sidemen, a powerhouse collective of content creators including KSI and Simon Minter, have amassed over 22 million subscribers as a group, with a combined reach of more than 146 million across their individual channels.
Fans have been particularly intrigued by George’s connection to Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell. After a photo surfaced of George with the couple at a party, speculation ran wild that Dianne might be George’s dance partner this year. “Has @joe_sugg just given away who @diannebuswell is gonna be partnered with on Strictly?” one Instagram user asked. However, as The Mirror clarifies, George is managed by MVE Management, founded by Joe Sugg himself, and the two are simply good friends off-screen. The official pairings remain under wraps until the launch show, but Joe has been quick to offer advice, captioning a post, “Giving @georgeclarkeey tips of how to get those hips as loose as possible for Saturday nights.”
The launch show will also feature a dazzling group dance and a special performance from last year’s champions, Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell, who will return to the dancefloor to celebrate their victory. But perhaps the most poignant moment of the evening will come from pop star Jessie J, who is set to perform her new single “Living My Best Life” just 12 weeks after undergoing a mastectomy for breast cancer.
Jessie J, 37, has been remarkably candid about her health journey since revealing her diagnosis of early breast cancer in June 2025. She discovered a 5cm tumor and underwent surgery shortly after performing at the Capital Summertime Ball on June 15. In a heartfelt Instagram post to her 14.2 million followers, Jessie wrote, “Before [her new single] No Secrets came out, I was diagnosed with early breast cancer. I’m highlighting the word early. Cancer sucks in any form, but I’m holding on to the word early.” Ever the performer, she joked, “It’s a very dramatic way to get a boob job. I am going to disappear for a bit after Summertime Ball to have my surgery, and I will come back with massive tits and more music.”
Jessie’s recovery has not been without setbacks. As reported by The Mirror, she was hospitalized in early August due to an infection and fluid on her lungs, though thankfully it was not a blood clot. She’s been open about her hair loss and the emotional toll of surgery scars, sharing, “People think, once you’ve got the all-clear, now it’s done. But I’ve got another surgery and I need to heal, so I have to figure out the rest of this year.” Just last week, Jessie confirmed she would need further surgery after doctors discovered more breast cancer in other places during a recent MRI scan. Despite these challenges, she has continued to perform at venues from Sao Paulo to BBC Radio 2 In The Park, demonstrating extraordinary resilience.
Jessie’s upcoming album, Don’t Tease Me With A Good Time, is set for release on November 28, 2025. In a recent performance, she told the crowd, “I had breast cancer surgery 11 weeks ago today. The last show I did I had no idea what was gonna happen. And I’m still very much in the recovery process. I’m just so grateful to be here. You have no idea how grateful I am to see so many of you singing along after all these years.”
With all eyes on the Strictly dancefloor tonight, it’s clear that this year’s series is about more than sequins and scores. From blossoming romances to personal battles with illness, the stories behind the glitter are as moving as the performances themselves. Viewers tuning in can expect a night of celebration, surprises, and a powerful reminder of the resilience and heart that make Strictly Come Dancing a national treasure.
