Strictly Come Dancing 2023 - Everything you need to know about series 21

Published: 9 December 2023

Strictly Come Dancing is back on our screens for 2023, marking the 21st series of the nation's favourite dancing show.

Made by BBC Studios Entertainment Productions, the multi award-winning series promises to entertain the nation once again, with presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman back in the ballroom to oversee proceedings each weekend as a host of brand new celebrity contestants take to the floor in a bid to lift the coveted Glitterball Trophy.

Here's everything you need to know about Strictly 2023...

When is Strictly Come Dancing on next?

It's the semi-final, with our couples performing twice in their bid to make it through to the grand final.

It will be the most challenging week yet for our celebrities as they master two brand new routines, hoping to wow the judges and win your votes at home. The Glitterball Trophy is within touching distance for our remaining couples. No-one wants to lose their spot in next week's final. The scores from Musicals Week are carried over and combined with the semi-final scores.

Join Tess and Claudia on Saturday 9 December from 7.35pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

Strictly Come Dancing Semi-Final Song & Dance List

Annabel and Johannes - Salsa to You'll Be Mine (Party Time) by Gloria Estefan and Viennese Waltz to Please, Please, Please, Let Me Get What I Want by Slow Moving Millie

Bobby and Dianne - Quickstep to Mack The Knife by Bobby Darin and Paso Doble to Run Boy Run by Woodkid

Ellie and Vito - Couple's Choice to Dua Lipa Medley and Cha Cha to Mambo Italiano by Bette Midler

Layton and Nikita - Charleston to Fit As A Fiddle by Gene Kelly & Donald O'Connor and Rumba to Lift Me Up by Rihanna

Strictly Musicals Week Leaderboard

Couple	Score
Layton and Nikita	40
Ellie and Vito	36
Bobby and Dianne	34
Annabel and Johannes	33

As Nigel Harman had to withdraw from the competition due to injury, there was no public vote on Saturday 2 December and the judges' scores will be carried through to Saturday 9 December.

Strictly Voting

You'll find everything you need to know about how to vote for your favourite Strictly couples here.

Who are the Strictly 2023 celebrity contestants?

The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 celebrities were confirmed in a series of announcements in August 2023 and they are:

• Adam Thomas - an actor and TV presenter who can "sort of do the robot"
  Learn more about Adam here
• Amanda Abbington - an award winning stage and screen actor who can't wait to embarrass her children
  Learn more about Amanda here
• Angela Rippon - an award-winning journalist, TV presenter, newsreader, and author who's proving anything's possible in your 70s
  Learn more about Angela here
• Angela Scanlon -a TV presenter who's ready to engross herself in sequins and glitter
  Learn more about Angela here
• Annabel Croft - a former British Number One tennis player who's hoping to "find the joyfulness" on her Strictly journey
  Learn more about Annabel here
• Bobby Brazier - a model and actor who's "always dancing" and can't wait to team up with a pro
  Learn more about Bobby here
• Eddie Kadi - a comedian who's been "oiling the hips" and "dropping a little salsa... just to see"
  Learn more about Eddie here
• Ellie Leach - an actor who's been testing the fake tan "just to see if it suits me"
  Learn more about Ellie here
• Jody Cundy- a World and Paralympic champion who's "all in" and ready for the full Strictly experience
  Learn more about Jody here
• Krishnan Guru Murthy - a journalist and broadcaster who's ready to place his trust in Strictly and get into character
  Learn more about Krishnan here
• Layton Williams - a film and theatre actor who was "born to be Strictly-fied"
  Learn more about Layton here
• Les Dennis- a TV personality, actor and entertainer whose signature move is "dad dancing"
  Learn more about Les here
• Nigel Harman- a TV, film and theatre actor and director who's thinking "what have I done?"Learn more about Nigel here
• Nikita Kanda - a radio host and TV presenter who's "a bit of a raver"Learn more about Nikita here
• Zara McDermott - a broadcaster and content creator who's taking a "leap of faith" and pushing herself out of her comfort zone
  Learn more about Zara here

Who's left Strictly 2023?

Week 2: Les Dennis and Nancy Xu left the competition following a Dance Off with Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez

Movie Week: Nikita Kanda and Gorka Marquez left the competition following a Dance Off with Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

Week 4: Jody Cundy and Jowita Pryzstal left the competition following and Dance Off with Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer

Week 5: Eddie Kadi and Karen Hauer left the competition following a Dance Off with Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima

Halloween Week: Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima left the competition following a Dance Off with Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk

Week 7: Adam Thomas and Luba Mushtuk left the competition following a Dance Off with Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

Week 8: Krishnan Guru Murthyand Lauren Oakley left the competition following a Dance Off with Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington

Blackpool Special: Angela Rippon and Kai Widdrington left the competition following a Dance Off with Bobby Brazier and Dianne Buswell

Week 10: Angela Scanlon and Carlos Gu left the competition following a Dance Off with Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin

Who are the Strictly 2023 professional dancers?

Viewers can look forward to seeing some of the most talented Latin and Ballroom professional dancers from all across the globe as Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas and Vito Coppola all return.

Who are the Strictly 2023 couples?

The Strictly Come Dancing 2023 couples were revealed during the spectacular Strictly launch show on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 16 September and they are:

Meet the Strictly 2023 judges

Behind the judges' desks once again are acid tongued adjudicator Craig Revel Horwood, Let's Dance Germany judge Motsi Mabuse, NTA winning judge Anton Du Beke and the Queen of Latin Shirley Ballas, who is back as Head Judge.

The fab-u-lous four have been sharing their thoughts on the 21st series of Strictly and revealing what they were up when they were 21.

Can you guess who was a baker by day and a dancer by night? Or who celebrated their 21st birthday in a haystack?

In addition to all this, Dave Arch and his wonderful band are once again providing the soundtrack to Saturday and Sunday nights all across the UK - plus there is so much more for viewers to look forward to, including unforgettable group routines, world class music acts, theme weeks and of course the much anticipated annual trip to the iconic and much loved Tower Ballroom in Blackpool.

When is Strictly It Takes Two back?

Strictly It Takes Two returns to BBC Two from 6.30pm on 25 September. Fans can look forward to an exciting season, featuring dynamic duo Janette Manrara and Fleur East.

Fleur will bring her infectious energy to the It Takes Two stage. With her unique perspective as a Strictly finalist, Fleur is poised to offer insightful commentary and exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpses alongside Janette, a former professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing.

Janette's wealth of experience on the dance floor has made her a popular figure amongst contestants and viewers alike and she is ready once more to offer engaging interviews with this series' celebrities and professional dancers.

Joanne Clifton will be back to front Choreography corner but this time she is tag-teaming with her brother Kevin Clifton. They will be breaking down how you can recreate some Fab-U-Lous dance moves at home and analysing the weekends dance moves.

Listen to the Strictly Come Dancing Official Podcast

Strictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast by BBC Studios returns for a new series on 16 September. The perfect accompaniment to the fan-favourite dance programme bringing more stories, secrets and behind-the-scenes interviews

Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Joe Sugg and Strictly superfan and producer Kim Winston are back on hosting duties bringing with them their extensive knowledge of the show and sharing listeners love of all things cha cha cha and waltz!

After each Sunday night results show airs on BBC One, fans can download the latest episode of the podcast on BBC Sounds where our hosts will reflect on that week's results and take listeners backstage for news, interviews, games, laughter and tears. They'll be speaking exclusively to the contestants, professional dancers, judges and the backstage crew who bring the party on the dancefloor to screens.