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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Entertainment
Christian Abbott

What time does Strictly Come Dancing launch show start – and when is first episode?

Strictly Come Dancing fans have been left waiting for the new series longer than usual.

The launch show was original set to air earlier this month, but was delayed following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on September 8.

The BBC confirmed the new launch date for today, Friday September 23, and now there is just a few hours to wait before the premiere.

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are both back, along with 15 new Strictly ballroom contestants.

Anton du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood are all returning for another year of judgement.

Here is everything you need to know about the Strictly 2022 launch show.

What time does the Strictly launch show start?

Strictly 2022 judges Anton du Beke; Shirley Ballas; Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

The Strictly Come Dancing 2022 launch show will kick off at 7pm on Friday September 23 on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

It will last for an hour and 50 minutes, before coming to a close at 8.50pm.

The new line-up of celebrities will be meeting their professional partners, setting the new Strictly season in motion.

This is a pre-recorded event, originally being filmed a few weeks ago to give the celebs time to practise with their partners ahead of the first live show.

When does the first episode of Strictly 2022 start?

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 starts tonight at 7pm (BBC/Guy Levy)
The first Strictly Come Dancing 2022 live show will air on Saturday (PA)

The first live performance will air the following day, on Saturday September 24.

It will start at 6.45pm and be available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

There will not be a public vote for this first episode, but you’ll still get to see the judges deliver their scores on their infamous paddles.

The points scored will then be carried over to the following week when viewers will be able to cast their vote for the first time.

The first dance off between the couples with the lowest votes will take place on Sunday October 2.

Which celebs are taking part in Strictly 2022?

The 15 celebs will be meeting their Strictly professionals tonight (BBC/Guy Levy)

The full line-up of Strictly 2022 stars was confirmed by the BBC last month.

They include X Factor runner-up Fleur East, presenter Helen Skelton and Paralympic swimmer Ellie Simmonds.

The full line-up of ballroom celebs are as follows:

  • Will Mellor
  • Kym Marsh
  • Richie Anderson
  • Kaye Adams
  • Jayde Adams
  • Ellie Simmonds
  • Tyler West
  • Matt Goss
  • Ellie Taylor
  • Molly Rainford
  • Tony Adams
  • Fleur East
  • Hamza Yassin
  • James Bye
  • Helen Skelton

There are four new dancers joining the team too - European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese national champion Carlos Gu, former Under-21 British national champion Lauren Oakley, and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.

They will join 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.

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