Strictly Come Dancing 2021 start date: Essential guide to BBC show

Everything you need to know about the TV show’s return, from the judges to the rumoured contestants.

By Grace Henry

Published: Wednesday, 04 August 2021 at 12:00 am

The new series of Strictly is just around the corner, and we’ll be finding out who is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 line-up very, very soon.

Strictly Come Dancing will reveal the first three celebrities on Wednesday 4th August, and over the next week or so, the remaining 15 contestants will be announced.

We don’t know who is in the line-up yet, but apparently, Strictly has ‘signed’ their first male celebrity as part of a same sex pairing.

This year, Strictly will return to a full series, with a complete line-up and longer series. Last year, the show started later in the year and there were only 12 contestants taking part.

While most things are back to normal, the usual trip to Blackpool is still off the cards due to safety restrictions.

Nevertheless, this year is looking to be Strictly’s hottest year yet, with four new Strictly Come Dancing professionals, including Kai Widdrington, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard and Jowita Przystal.

Anton Du Beke will officially join the judging panel for 2021, taking over from Bruno Tonioli.

And Janette Manrara will be over at Strictly It Takes Two, following Zoe Ball’s exit from the sister show.

As well as this, Bruno Tonioli won’t be on the panel – but he will be replaced by Anton Du Beke.

As news approaches thick and fast for the new series of Strictly, read on for your essential guide to the show, including when it could start, celebs in the line-up, and how it will look different this year.

Strictly Come Dancing 2021 start date

A release date for the new series hasn’t been confirmed just yet, but based on previous years we can make an educated guess.

The BBC One dance show has been on our screens for 16 years now, with a total of 18 series aired.

Usually, the series kicks off in September, however, the 18th series started a little later due to the pandemic and had a shorter run.

Providing all is well, it’s thought the 19th series could air in its usual September slot in Autumn 2021.

Who will host Strictly: It Takes Two in 2021?

Zoe Ball announced she was leaving Strictly: It Takes Two earlier in 2021, prompting a lot of discussion on who would replace her.

We finally got that all-important name on 10th June 2021, and it definitely came as a surprise to many.

Janette Manrara announced she would be stepping down from her role as a professional dancer and would be taking on the It Takes Two gig instead.

Taking to Instagram, the pro said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining @rylan on #ItTakesTwo this series! A show where we can sit and talk about dancing?!? It’s the dream! I can never replace the legendary @zoetheball, but I can only hope to make her as well as all of the @bbcstrictly fans proud.

“To my wonderful EP and incredible friend @sarahjamesface, thank you and I love you with all my heart! The BEST boss I could have hoped for! To @jack.will.g, there are now words to describe my appreciation for you always through all these years! My dance mentor and best friend @jasongilkison I will miss being a part of your creative journeys on the dance floor more than you can ever imagine. And to the everyone who works on #Strictly, from hair and make-up, wardrobe, cameras, the lot…. it’s not goodbye, it’s more ‘I’ll see you around’ Thank you all for some of the most ‘fab-u-Lous’ memories of my life!

“The hardest part will be saying goodbye to my fellow professional dancers and the famous Strictly dance floor! The professionals are the superheroes of the show and I will always champion them! I love you all so so much! May you continue inspiring and bringing so much joy to the nation as always! I am over the moon and cannot WAIT to get on that very special couch! And do not worry guys, I will always “keeeeeeeeeeeep dancing”! It Takes Two…… ‘baby!!”

Who is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 line-up?

We will start finding out who is in the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 line-up from Wednesday, 4th August when the first, three celebs will be announced.

We’ll keep you updated as soon as we know.

Some rumours have already started about who might be in this year’s line-up, including Christine McGuinness (model and wife of Top Gear host Paddy) and former footballer Rio Ferdinand.

Who are the professionals returning for Strictly 2021?

"strictly
Strictly Come Dancing 2020
BBC

The professional line-up was confirmed earlier in 2021, but there’s been a slight change as of June. Janette Manrara was initially due to compete, but on 10th June 2021, it was revealed she would be replacing Zoe Ball as one of the hosts of Strictly: It Takes Two alongside Rylan Clark Neal.

Furthermore, Anton Du Beke has stepped down from his professional dancer role to fill in as a judge on the panel.

Four new Strictly pros have now been added to the line-up.

You can see a full list below of all the dancers taking part:

There were some changes to the 2020 professional line-up, with Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard hanging up their dancing shoes as they departed from the series.

In March 2020, Kevin Clifton quit Strictly Come Dancing after seven years on the show.

A few weeks later, AJ Pritchard quit Strictly following a four-year stint.

Who are the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 judges?

"Strictly
Strictly Come Dancing judges
BBC

Confirmed: Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke will host on this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.

The news was revealed in June 2021, and explained why Bruno Tonioli won’t be a part of the Strictly Come Dancing judges line-up.

Bruno was unable to make it on to the panel last year due to travel restrictions brought on by the coronavirus pandemic.

"Bruno
Bruno Tonioli
Getty

It was thought he’d make it back in time for the Strictly Come Dancing final after his work commitments on Dancing with the Stars came to end, however, that wasn’t the case.

Will Anton become a permanent fourth judge on Strictly Come Dancing in 2021?

"Strictly
Strictly Come Dancing’s Anton Du Beke
BBC

Yes, he will!

Anton Du Beke enjoyed a two week stint on the panel in 2020 as he filled in for Motsi Mabuse, while she isolated following a trip back home.

After his appearance, Strictly fans called for Anton Du Beke to come back as judge. It was thought he wouldn’t return to the panel as he’d actually been announced as part of the professionals line-up.

Speaking of his new role, Anton said: “My loves I cannot tell you how thrilled I am to be stepping into Bruno’s brogues for the next series of Strictly. It’s a dream come true to be judging alongside the best of the best and I promise to be kinder to all the couples than any of them have ever been to me.”

It’s not thought to be a permanent replacement, rather just for this year instead.

Where is Strictly Come Dancing filmed?

The Strictly Come Dancing filming location has remained the same since 2013. Following the closure of the BBC Television Centre, the show has always taken place in Elstree Studios.

Despite many Strictly Come Dancing COVID changes, the show stayed at Elstree for 2020.

There is one week many viewers look froward to – Blackpool – where the cast and crew pack their bags and head north to the seaside town for a glitter-filled special.

However, sadly Strictly Come Dancing cancelled Blackpool Week for 2020, due to coronavirus restrictions.

Could we see show back in Blackpool for 2021? We certainly wouldn’t say no to this!

Strictly is expected to return to the BBC in Autumn 2021. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide.