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Strictly Come Dancing 2022: From Start Date To Line-Up, Here’s What To Expect

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It might seem slightly unbelievable, but Strictly season is nearly upon us once again as a brand new set of set of celebrities get ready to sashay onto that famous dancefloor.

As such, various details about the forthcoming 20th series have already started trickling in, which is doing nothing to slow down our excitement for its return.

Here’s what we know so far about Strictly Come Dancing 2022…

When is Strictly likely to start then?

Going by last year’s series – which returned to its regular length after a shorter run in 2020 owing to Covid – the launch show looks likely to air on 17 September, with the live shows then beginning on 24 September. Of course, the BBC will confirm air dates in due course.

For the last two years, the show has broken with its previous tradition taking a two-week break in between the pre-recorded launch show and the main competition kicking off, instead showing it the week before.

However, last year the launch – which sees the stars find out who their celebrity partner is – was still recorded a few weeks prior to airing in order to allow the couples to begin training.

Who is taking part?

Some of Strictly's rumoured celebrities for 2022
Some of Strictly’s rumoured celebrities for 2022

Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock/Anthony Harvey/David Fisher/BBC

Rumours about who will be taking to the floor have been coming in thick and fast in recent weeks, with many famous faces linked to a spot on the show.

These include former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh, TV chef Gino D’Acampo, Olympic diver Tom Daley, Radio 2’s Richie Anderson, rugby star Mike Tindall, and Packed Lunch host Steph McGovern.

Take a look at a full round up of the rumoured stars here.

However, the BBC is yet to officially unveil any contestants – with announcements likely to start in early-to-mid August.

Who is on the judging panel?

Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke
Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke

BBC/Guy Levy

After standing in for Bruno Tonioli last year, Anton Du Beke has been confirmed as his permanent replacement as a judge on Strictly, this year.

Bruno has been absent from the panel for the last two series owing to pandemic travel restrictions, and has since decided to leave Strictly in order to focus solely on his judging role on the US version of the show.

Once again, Anton will sit alongside returning panellists Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and head judge Shirley Ballas.

​​What about the professional dancers?

Carlos Gu; Lauren Oakley; Michelle Tsiakkas; Vito Coppola
Carlos Gu; Lauren Oakley; Michelle Tsiakkas; Vito Coppola

The show will have the biggest line-up of professional dancers in its history when it returns, after welcoming four new pros into the fold.

European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas are all joining the line-up.

Their arrivals follow the exits of fan favourites Oti Mabuse and Aljaž Škorjanec, who both announced they were standing down as pros earlier this year.

Vito recently competed in and won Ballando con le Stelle, the Italian version of Strictly, while Lauren recently appeared alongside Strictly regulars Giovanni Pernice and Anton Du Beke in their national tours.

Michelle Tsiakkas has also starred alongside a number of Strictly pros in the stage show Burn The Floor.

The new foursome join returning dancers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu.

Who is presenting?

Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are expected to return as hosts
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are expected to return as hosts

Karwai Tang via Getty Images

While it has not yet been officially confirmed, it is widely expected that long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be back at the helm of this year’s Strictly.

Will there be a live audience this year?

The Strictly Come Dancing ballroom
The Strictly Come Dancing ballroom

Guy Levy/BBC

Over the last two years, there has been a heavily reduced studio audience.

In 2020, this was due to social distancing restrictions and subsequent national lockdowns. While there were no Covid laws in place last year, bosses kept the reduced audience in a bid to protect the stars on the show from catching the virus and forcing them to miss a week of the competition.

However, it has been reported bosses are planning to welcome back a full studio audience for 2022.

Claudia Winkleman later said during an appearance on The One Show: “Hopefully, we’re really hoping that we’re allowed an audience.”

What about Blackpool?

There hasn't been a Blackpool special since 2019
There hasn’t been a Blackpool special since 2019

Likewise, it has been claimed the show is hoping to return to Blackpool for its annual special from the iconic Tower Ballroom after a two-year hiatus.

The BBC is yet to confirm plans, however.

And what’s this about a Buckingham Palace special?

There could be a special from inside Buckingham Palace
There could be a special from inside Buckingham Palace

Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

In June, The Sun claimed the BBC has been invited by the royal family to air a live show from the palace later this year.

Reports suggest either the semi or quarter-final of the series could be broadcast from the residence’s ballroom.

Neither the BBC or the Palace has commented on the reports, but Anton Du Beke recently welcomed the idea.

During an appearance on Good Morning Britain, he said: ”[The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall] have been great fans of the show over the years.

“I would love to say yes. I don’t know about the show, I hope so. I would like to go and have a dance with someone.”

What about It Takes Two?

Janette Manrara and Rylan Clark
Janette Manrara and Rylan Clark

Last year’s series saw former pro dancer Janette Manrara replace Zoe Ball as one of the hosts of the daily BBC Two spin-off It Takes Two.

While no details about the 2022 series have been announced so far, it is expected she will return alongside co-host Rylan Clark.

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Lorraine Kelly Planning Tattoo Tribute To Dame Deborah James

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Lorraine Kelly and other friends of Dame Deborah James are planning to get matching tattoos to honour the late cancer campaigner and podcast host.

Deborah, known to her one million online followers as Bowelbabe, died last month from bowel cancer at the age of 40.

She had been a regular guest on Lorraine’s ITV show, and as the presenter discussed her friend’s funeral – which took place on Wednesday – she revealed she will be getting a permanent tribute.

“There was a whole bunch of us that said we’re going to get tattoos with Rebellious Hope on them,” Lorraine said on Thursday, referring to a phrase that became synonymous with Dame Deborah.

“I think I agreed to that! We’re just deciding where they’re going to be.”

She added: “We might have to film that, I think that’s going to happen.”

Deborah had been a regular guest on Lorraine's ITV show, seen here in 2018
Deborah had been a regular guest on Lorraine’s ITV show, seen here in 2018

Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

During the same segment on her show, Lorraine discussed Deborah’s funeral, which she attended.

“There were a lot of tears and there really was genuinely a lot of laughs too, so it was great,” Lorraine said.

“She planned it all and it was perfection, as you would expect.”

She continued: “I was very honoured to be there with some of our team. It was a beautiful beautiful send-off, it was so lovely and it was sad but it was also a celebration of a wonderful wonderful woman.”

Lorraine discussed attending Dame Deborah's funeral on her show on Thursday
Lorraine discussed attending Dame Deborah’s funeral on her show on Thursday

Ken McKay/ITV/Shutterstock

Dame Deborah’s friends and family gathered to celebrate her life during an intimate service at St Mary’s Church in Barnes, west London.

Her coffin arrived in a vintage Rolls-Royce hearse with more than a dozen members of her family walking in procession behind, and it was adorned with the rose that was named after her.

Lorraine airs weekdays at 9am on ITV.

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Jacques O’Neill Brands Love Island ‘Worst Decision Of My Life’ As He Breaks Silence On Exit

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The rugby star said the ITV2 reality show “broke” him and he “couldn’t cope” in the villa.

On Tuesday, it was announced Jacques had left the villa, with fans later seeing him tearfully explaining to partner Paige Thorne and their fellow Islanders that he was leaving the show to “get back to himself”.

In the lead up to his departure, Jacques had struggled to deal with the arrival of former contestant Adam Collard, who had expressed an interest in Paige.

In an interview with The Sun, Jacques also admitted he feared things “could go horribly wrong and I could get physical” with Adam.

“Doing Love Island was the worst decision of my life,” he said. “I was feeling so mentally drained, I just wanted to go home and get myself right.

“It broke me and I was already broken. I was crying my eyes out. I couldn’t cope.

“I was literally feeling awful. It was the worst I’d ever felt in my life.”

Jacques also opened up about his ADHD – which he said he told show bosses about before entering the villa – and the way it impacted him.

“Any little thing in the villa, in the end, started bothering me and I was just getting in so much of a rut,” he said.

“I know the way I spoke to Paige was wrong. I tried to apologise and she kept asking why I did it. ADHD isn’t just about not being able to concentrate. It’s also about feeling anxious quite a lot, being on edge a lot.”

Prior to his exit, Jacques claimed that he told one of the show’s bosses he wanted to leave, but they “calmed him down a bit” and said they didn’t want to see him go.

He then had a welfare chat with producers in the Beach Hut.

“In the end I couldn’t deal with it, I wanted to get out of the place,” he added.

A Love Island spokesperson said: “We cannot comment on any individual’s medical records.

“However, we have rigorous and extensive checks in place to assess Islanders’ physical and mental health in advance of being cleared to enter the villa. This is something we take extremely seriously.

“Jacques made the decision to leave and we respected that decision. We would never put pressure on someone to stay in the villa.”

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Roman Kemp Is All Of Us As Dad Martin Makes ‘Disgusting’ Sex Confession On Celebrity Gogglebox

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Roman Kemp was every kid who’s ever had to listen to their parents oversharing as his dad Martin made a sex confession on Celebrity Gogglebox.

The father and son duo, who are two of the hit Channel 4 show’s regular contributors, sat down to give their verdict on Netflix’s How To Build A Sex Room on Friday night’s episode.

The raunchy series sees interior designer Melanie Rose helping couples transform a room in their homes for getting intimate in.

The show prompted an X-rated admission from Spandau Ballet star Martin, which left son Roman walking off in disgust.

“I don’t want a room that’s just dedicated to sex,” he said. “Why can’t you have sex everywhere?”

“Oh gross!” Roman said.

“But you do! Me and mum, everywhere!” Martin revealed.

“Oh that’s disgusting,” Roman said, getting up from the sofa.

“No, we do. Everywhere around the house,” Martin, who is married to singer Shirlie Kemp, continued. “There’s not like a special room.”

“No cos now I’m sitting on the sofa,” Roman said as he walked out of the room.

Roman recently admitted that he choses to do the Channel 4 show as it’s a chance to make memories with Martin.

He told Metro: “The reason I chose Gogglebox is that I know that when I’m older and when he’s not here anymore, I can say to my kids and my grandkids, ‘This is the relationship I had with my dad.’ So that’s why I do it.”

However, after Martin’s admission, Roman might just be starting to rethink his decision.

It is not the only awkward parent-child moment that has played out on the most recent series of Celebrity Gogglebox.

Last month, many famous faces were left cringing when they had to watch Fifty Shades Of Grey with their family members.

Celebrity Gogglebox is available to stream on All4.

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Love Island Boss Addresses Speculation Around Jacques O’Neill’s Exit

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A top Love Island boss has addressed speculation as to whether there was producer intervention surrounding Jacques O’Neill’s surprise exit from the villa.

Earlier this week, it was announced the rugby star had left the ITV2 reality show.

Viewers later saw him tearfully explain to partner Paige Thorne and their fellow Islanders that he was leaving the show to “get back to himself”.

In the lead up to his departure, Jacques had struggled to deal with the arrival of former contestant Adam Collard, who had expressed an interest in Paige.

However, the speed at which events unfolded prompted some questions from fans that producers had stepped in behind the scenes.

Asked directly about this during an interview with Deadline, Love Island’s executive producer Mike Spencer insisted it was Jacques’ decision to exit the show.

“Jacques is amazing,” he said. “We love Jacques. When you date, your emotions are naturally up and down. Finding love is not a simple thing, that’s why the show is so relatable. Jacques was on his own journey and he had a strong connection with Paige but sometimes you have to think about yourself and that’s what Jacques did.

“We respected his decision to head home but I think he’s excited to be on Aftersun on Sunday to discuss his journey.”

He added: “I think Jacques felt like his time was up and as producers we have to respect his decision. Adam came in and got on with a lot of the girls. Did that impact Jacques’ decision to leave? That would be something Jacques would have to explain.”

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Prior to his exit playing out on screen, Jacques’ family urged viewers to be kind to him, explaining that some of his behaviour in the villa could have been caused by his ADHD.

“By no means is this a get out clause for his actions but it is to show that he can fundamentally struggle with his emotions at times,” they said on Instagram.

Upon announcing his departure to his fellow contestants, Jacques said in the Beach Hut: “I’d say in the last week, the only thing keeping me in this place was Paige. That’s the only thing I was staying for. I’ve never felt this way for anyone so I just want to get home, be myself again and carry things on the outside.”

He added: “It’s just not fair on the girl she deserves better than me. It’s not the end of me and Paige because everyone knows what she means to me.”

Love Island continues on Sunday at 9pm on ITV2, with Aftersun following straight after.

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