Strictly Come Dancing has returned for its 20th anniversary series, filled with its usual glamour and excitement, despite recent controversies. The launch show, hosted by Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly, featured this year’s celebrities, including Paul Merson, Nick Knowles, JB Gill, Toyah Willcox, and Sam Quek, paired with their professional dancers.
One of the highlights was the return of Amy Dowden, a professional dancer who had undergone treatment for breast cancer. She took center stage in a group performance, marking an emotional moment as she embraced her fellow dancers, celebrating her current status of “no evidence of disease.”
The new series comes amid controversy following allegations of mistreatment of past contestants. This led the BBC to introduce chaperones for rehearsals. Accusations were made against professional dancer Giovanni Pernice by actress Amanda Abbington, and although the investigation is ongoing, Pernice left the show, denying the claims.
Similarly, fellow dancer Graziano Di Prima departed after a complaint regarding his behavior towards reality star Zara McDermott, which he later expressed regret for, though he maintained it was unintentional.
Karen Smith, Strictly’s co-creator, spoke out against the ongoing criticism of the show, warning that continuous scrutiny could harm its longevity.
She emphasized how difficult it was for the show’s production team, dancers, and celebrities to endure the negative press. Smith urged journalists to be cautious, expressing her fear that the beloved series could be “killed” by relentless critique.
Despite this, the opening episode avoided addressing the controversies and instead dazzled viewers with vibrant costumes, retro dance numbers, and a playlist featuring hits from the Vengaboys, Whigfield, and 2 Unlimited.
This year’s line-up includes a diverse group of celebrities, such as the first blind contestant, Chris McCausland, opera singer Wynne Evans, and reality TV star Pete Wicks.
Other notable participants are Olympian Montell Douglas, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick, Olympian Tom Dean, and NHS GP Dr. Punam Krishan.
Each celebrity is partnered with a professional dancer, and the show promises the same blend of entertainment and personal growth as past seasons.
Amy Dowden, who has been partnered with JLS star JB Gill, expressed her excitement to be back on the dance floor, saying it felt like her first year all over again.
Gill shared his confidence in Dowden’s ability to guide him, given her experience with popstars. Toyah Willcox, dancing with Neil Jones, was overjoyed and vowed to be the first pensioner to “abseil through the studio,” demonstrating her enthusiasm for the competition.
Other celebrities also expressed their excitement and lightheartedness. Chris McCausland, paired with Dianne Buswell, joked about their upcoming mistakes, while Olympian Tom Dean warned viewers about his “delicate feet,” as he’s not accustomed to land-based activities in his sporting career.
The diverse range of participants ensures that this season of Strictly will continue to entertain, inspire, and showcase various stories of personal challenges and triumphs.
As Strictly Come Dancing marks its 20th anniversary, it remains a cherished part of British television. Despite the controversies of recent months, the show has continued to evolve, bringing new talent, diverse contestants, and a fresh mix of excitement and drama to the ballroom.
The show’s ability to attract new viewers while maintaining its core audience speaks to its lasting appeal, and the 2023 season promises to continue that tradition.
Who’s paired with who?
Former footballer Paul Merson – Karen Hauer
Love Island star Tasha Ghouri – Aljaz Skorjanec
Olympian Montell Douglas – Johannes Radebe
Reality star Pete Wicks – Jowita Przystal
Presenter and former hockey player Sam Quek – Nikita Kuzmin
JLS star JB Gill – Amy Dowden
Singer Toyah Willcox – Neil Jones
Miranda actress Sarah Hadland – Vito Coppola
This Morning star Dr Punam Krishan – Gorka Marquez
Olympic swimmer Tom Dean – Nadiya Bychkova
DIY SOS star Nick Knowles – Luba Mushtuk
Comedian Chris McCausland – Dianne Buswell
Opera singer Wynne Evans – Katya Jones
X Factor star and actor Shayne Ward – Nancy Xu
EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick – Michelle Tsiakkas
