Strictly Come Dancing has pushed back its scheduled launch date following the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
The 20th series of the hit BBC ballroom dancing show had been due to premiere on Saturday 17 September and had been heavily promoting its revised line-up and new batch of celebrity contestants, but the show has now confirmed the big launch has been delayed. The show will now begin on Friday September 23.
The first show, which was pre-recorded last Wednesday, will see the celebrities paired with the professional dancers.
And the live shows will begin on Saturday September 24.
Following the death of the Queen on September 8, the United Kingdom entered an official period of official National Mourning – with Strictly Come Dancing's original launch date falling within the time period.
In line with government guidance, there is no obligation to cancel or postpone events and sporting fixtures, or close entertainment venues during the National Mourning period, but it is suggested as a mark of respect at the discretion of individual organisations.
Shortly after Buckingham Palace's statement confirmed the Queen had died on Thursday [September 8], Tess Daly – one half of Strictly Come Dancing's presenting team – took to Instagram to pay her respects to the late Head of State and mourn her death.
Captioning a portrait of Queen Elizabeth, captured by photographer Annie Leibovitz, Tess wrote: "Thank you for your unwavering strength, dignity and good humour; which I was once lucky enough to experience first hand. You dedicated your life to steering our nation. We will never forget."
Former Coronation Street star Kym Marsh – who is set to take to the dancefloor during this year's series of Strictly – also paid tribute online, writing: "RIP your Majesty. The people of the world will miss you. May we always aspire to your shining example."
Kym's former Corrie co-star and fellow new Strictly recruit Will Mellor said: "To the only reigning Monarch most of us have known. May she rest in peace,
The pushback of Strictly Come Dancing's comes just days after many rejoiced as the first official trailer for the new series of the iconic show was released on social media.
The teaser - which originally aired on BBC One after The One Show on September - stars the likes of reigning champion Giovanni Pernice, Diane Buswell and other Strictly professionals dancing to an alternative version of Nina Simone’s classic Feeling Good.
Newcomers Vito Coppola, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, and Michelle Tsiakkas also make an appearance in the first official teaser ahead of their debut appearance on the show, as the professional dancers waltz alongside landmarks across the United Kingdom - including the Blackpool Tower.
"Strictly is back and we're feeling so good [star emoji] See you in the Ballroom on Saturday 17 September," Strictly's official Instagram account captioned the preview the day before the Queen's death was announced.
Strictly's teaser came after the latest batch of celebrities hoping to lift the coveted Glitterball trophy later this year were spotted appearing to be in good spirits as they headed to rehearsals for the first time earlier in the week.
Former X Factor star Fleur East, presenter Helen Skelton and comedian Ellie Taylor were all smiles as they headed to rehearsals in London on September 6, ahead of the much-loved BBC series returning to our screens once again later this month.
The trio joined the likes of Ellie Simmonds, Bros singer Matt Goss and retired footballer Tony Adams as they left a London hotel to head to the studio for the first time this week, amid reports the Strictly Come Dancing professionals have been working seven day weeks for months to make sure this year's series is a success.
* This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get both pullouts.
