This year's Strictly Come Dancing will include a judging panel switch-up, covid regulations scrapped and a star-studded lineup.
The BBC started its rollout of this year's Strictly line-up and it may be one of the best yet. The past two seasons have been plagued by covid restrictions which saw the ballroom lose its live audience and panels put up between judges - but this year they're coming back with a bang.
The blocky glass panels will be removed for good and judges will be free to interact with one another as much as they please. The judging lineup will also undergo a shakeup as Anton Du Beke will be taking over Bruno Tonioli's role as a permanent judge.
READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing eager to push new change despite backlash
Bruno was with the show for 18 years before Anton stood in for him last year but the choreographer has decided to call it quits to focus on the show's American version. The BBC is also welcoming a live studio audience to the ballroom again for the first time since covid restrictions were put in place.
This year's competitors are made up of Coronation Street, Loose Women and Countryfile stars that have been in the industry for decades. The first handful of celebrities to be announced was former Corrie actors Will Mellor and Kym Marsh alongside presenter Kaye Adams. BBCR2 host Richie Anderson followed joined by comedians Jayde Adams and Ellie Taylor.
The other half of the lineup included CBBC's Tyler West and Molly Rainford, Paralympian Ellie Symmonds, and Bros frontman Matt Goss. The last to be announced in the class of 2022 was former Arsenal player Tony Adams, popstar Fleur East, presenter Hamza Yassin, EastEnders star James Bye and presenter Helen Skelton.
Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly return to hosting duties alongside the esteemed panel of judges - Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Shirley Ballas.
The show will officially return on Saturday September 17.
READ NEXT
- A Place in the Sun fans threaten to switch off just minutes in
- Love Island's Davide Sanclimenti shares how he will spend £25,000 winnings
- Kerry Katona makes Iceland dig after being axed from its adverts
- Jennifer Ellison poses in bikini after swearing off fad diets
Receive newsletters with the biggest and breaking TV and showbiz news by signing up here
