Strictly Come Dancing’s judges and professional dancers are gearing up to dazzle viewers with an “avant-garde gothic tango” in the first results show of the 2024 series. Audiences can look forward to them performing to Prince’s ‘When Doves Cry’ and New Order’s ‘Blue Monday’, leading up to the announcement of the season’s first departure.
Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages.
Craig Revel Horwood, the programme’s longest-standing judge, is set to don a blonde wig and preside over proceedings from a golden throne. Anton Du Beke plans to cut a striking figure in a purple jacket matched with a gold waistcoat and white shirt, whilst Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse have opted for chic all-black ensembles.
The professional dancers will complement the scene in sharp white and black attire as they encircle the throne where the judges will command the floor.
This opening results show of Strictly’s momentous 20th anniversary series is scheduled to broadcast on Sunday, September 29 at 7:15pm on BBC One and iPlayer, with the following live show slated for Saturday, September 28 at 6:15pm. Nick Knowles, the face of DIY SOS, has quelled concerns about his participation, confirming on Thursday that he’s set to perform in Saturday’s live episode despite recently sustaining an injury.
Amy Dowden, returning triumphantly after her battle with breast cancer, found herself at the top of the leaderboard last week alongside JLS star JB Gill. Meanwhile, the new season unfolds against the backdrop of a BBC inquiry into accusations levelled at ex-professional Giovanni Pernice by his 2023 celebrity partner Amanda Abbington.
Pernice has dismissed the claims made against him, and in a related development, his colleague Graziano Di Prima has exited the show amidst the uproar. Prior to the launch of the new series, the BBC announced that it would implement additional welfare measures, one of which includes the presence of a chaperone “at all times” throughout rehearsal periods.
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.