Strictly Come Dancing: The biggest launch show talking points, from Amy Dowden’s return to Robin Windsor tribute
The BBC’s glittering diamond shook off months of scandal as it return to screens for its 20th anniversary
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Strictly Come Dancing returned to our screens on Saturday (14 September) night with a big, sparkling launch show that proved the show intends to dazzle its way through its 20th anniversary series after months of scandal surrounding the programme’s professional dancers.
The BBC’s Saturday night tentpole kicked off this weekend in a pre-recorded special. It not only gave viewers a first glimpse at who might be good as the celebrity contestants performed, Bambi-esque, for the first time, but also celebrated the comeback of beloved pro Amy Dowden after her cancer journey.
Things began with an uber-camp opening number, featuring a green screen-heavy VT in which the pro dancers got stuck on the Vengabus and had to be saved by mechanics Tess Daly, Claudia Winkleman, and the Strictly orchestra’s long-time conductor Dave Arch. In the studio, the day-glo dressed dancers then launched into a fast-paced routine to a medley of Nineties and Noughties bangers from everyone from Gina G to Steps.
After that, viewers were introduced to the 15 contestants taking part this year and watched as they met their partners for the first time (you can find the full list of couples here). The stars, who range from Love Islanders to Olympians, all seemed equal parts scared and nervous, with the exception of former England footballer Paul Merson, who just looked pretty bewildered and unimpressed by the whole thing. How he’s going to fare when Strictly goes full Strictly, I’m not quite sure.
That aside, these are the five biggest talking points from Strictly’s launch show:
Amy Dowden’s triumphant comeback
Usually, the Strictly launch show is all about the celebrities. But this year carried special weight for the pros too, as it marked the return to the dance floor of fan favourite Amy Dowden. The Welsh pro joined the show in 2017 and reached the final in 2019, but was forced to pull out of last year’s series after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023. She underwent a mastectomy, chemotherapy and fertility treatment, and was told she had “no evidence of disease” earlier this year.
Naturally, Dowden’s return was never going to be a half-baked affair. Instead, she was welcomed back with a triumphant celebratory dance number featuring her fellow pros, who held Dowden aloft at the end of the number like her very own Glitterball Trophy. And given her celebrity partner, it looks like Dowden could have a shot at the real thing too. Her celebrity partner was revealed to be JLS star JB Gill (best known, at least to those of us who are very online, for that one clip of him saying the words “Merry Christmas”), and Dowden couldn’t contain her excitement. “I’ve got a feeling my comeback is going to be pretty strong now,” she said. With the public so firmly on her side, it’s likely we’ll be seeing her go far this year.
Chris McCausland, unsurprisingly, is a right laugh
Much of the chatter around comedian Chris McCausland competing on the show this year has focused on the fact that he’s Strictly’s first ever blind contestant. But from the launch show alone, McCausland asserted himself as this year’s comic relief. He was on hand to crack wise all episode and was self-deprecating about his likelihood of doing well on the show; he even warned Aussie partner Dianne Buswell that she’d at least have a nice November off, as he obviously would not be making it further than Halloween week.
The CBeebies star also got in the first of what I expect will be many NHS-themed gags made about TV doctor Punam Krishnan this series. As the Morning Live presenter explained that she would be on hand to offer her castmates medical advice and treatment, McCausland rapidly interjected: “None of us can believe we have managed to get in the same room as a GP.” Cue raptuous applause from the contestants and Tess looking flustered. Let’s hope he lasts long enough for more jokes like these.
Strictly remembers two greats
The launch show ended with a suitably sparkly group number, which was followed by a poignant tribute to two greats who the show – and the world – lost earlier this year: former contestant Dave Myers and professional dancer Robin Windsor. TV chef Myers, best known for his work as one half of The Hairy Bikers, appeared on the show with pro dancer Karen Hauer in 2013. In February, he died of cancer at the age of 66. That same month also marked the death of former British pro Windsor, who competed on the show for four series from 2010 to 2013. He was 44.
Jamie Borthwick’s dance experience
Poor Jamie Borthwick. When the EastEnders star was asked to compete on the Strictly Christmas special last year, he probably didn’t realise that A) he was going to win with Nancy Xu, and B) that win would then be used against him when he took part in the show the very next year. Frankly, it is a little strange that Strictly would cast Borthwick while his festive triumph is still so fresh in fans’ minds, but the other cast members made it very clear they would not be letting Borthwick go easy. Wynne “Go Compare Man” Evans, wrestling McCausland for the title of unofficial comedy commentator, was the first to take a pop at the actor, calling out: “Cheat!” when Borthwick’s experience was mentioned. Later, The Only Way is Essex’s tattooed bad boy Pete Wicks explained that he’d be taking the Strictly process seriously as he’d only be there once. “Unless you’re Jamie,” he cheekily added.
Keeping suspiciously quiet about the whole thing was JLS star Gill, who managed to slip under the radar despite the fact that he, too, won Strictly’s Christmas special in 2012. Still, given the reactions on X (formerly Twitter) pointing this bit of trivia out, we suspect this one won’t be going unforgotten going forward.
Craig Revel Horwood’s beard
No, but seriously: who is that man?
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday 21 September at 7pm on BBC One.
Strictly Come Dancing to return under a cloud of controversy
Good morning and welcome to The Independent’s Strictly Come Dancing liveblog!
We’ll be bringing you the latest news, commentary and updates as the BBC’s embattled dancing competition returns to our screens, with a brand new cast of celebrities and their professional dance partners.
If you have no idea who’s competing this year, Ellie Muir’s interview feature with the 2024 cast is probably a good place to start:
The stars of this year’s Strictly discuss the shows post-scandal era
The BBC’s beloved dancing show is getting a shiny new rebrand as it recovers from a set of damning allegations. But what will a new ‘Strictly’, at 20 years old, look like? Ellie Muir speaks to this year’s cast, from Nick Knowles to Sarah Hadland, to find out
'This year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up might just be secretly brilliant’
After weeks of scandal, there was a lot riding on the 2024 ‘Strictly’ line-up, but the initial reaction from fans has been lacklustre. However, it’s too early to write off this year’s contestants, argues Rachel McGrath – and they might just surprise us
This year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up might just be secretly brilliant
After weeks of scandal, there was a lot riding on the 2024 ‘Strictly’ line-up, but the initial reaction from fans has been lacklustre. However, it’s too early to write off this year’s contestants, argues Rachel McGrath – and they might just surprise us
Strictly's Nick Knowles shares gruelling training update ahead of first live show
What time is the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 launch show on tonight?
Strictly Come Dancing returns to our screens tonight, albeit under a cloud of controversy.
This year marks the hit BBC show’s 20th anniversary, meaning showrunners are likely to be pulling out all the stops.
Hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and with Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse on the judging panel, the 2024 series returns with a launch show on Saturday 14 September at 7.20pm on BBC.
In tonight’s episode, fans will get to meet all of the celebrity contestants and find out which professional dancers they’ll be paired up with.
VIDEO: Watch the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 trailer
The Strictly stars with previous dance experience, from Tasha Ghouri to JB Gill
Featuring a professionally-trained commercial dancer and theatre school graduate...
All of the Strictly stars with dance experience, from Tasha Ghouri to JB Gill
Featuring a professionally-trained commercial dancer and theatre school graduate
Meet all the celebrity contestants on Strictly Come Dancing 2024, from Paul Merson to Toyah Wilcox
A comedian, a JLS star and DIY SOS presenter are among those who have been announced
Strictly Come Dancing reveals full list of celebrity contestants
A comedian, a JLS star and DIY SOS presenter are among those who have been announced
Giovanni Pernice's former Strictly partner issues statement on BBC investigation
Nick Knowles: The TV titan’s journey from DIY SOS to Strictly, and jamming with Biffy Clyro in-between
Award-winning veteran British TV presenter Nick Knowles is competing in this year’s edition of Strictly Come Dancing, adding to his long list of credits on the small screen.
Knowles, 61, told the BBC: “I’m so, so excited to be doing Strictly this year. People may be more used to me getting stuck in on a building site or travelling the world, but dancing live on TV will be a whole new adventure.”
He added: “I’ve spent my whole life learning new skills and I’ve never been afraid of a challenge – there’s life in the old dog yet to take on one more big one – being taught how to dance! I’ll give it my everything... and try not to embarrass my kids of course!”
Get to know Nick:
Nick Knowles: The TV titan’s journey from DIY SOS to Strictly
Knowles has lent his hand to numerous types of TV formats during a long career
Sam Quek: The Olympic hockey player turned Question of Sport star taking on Strictly
Sam Quek was the final celebrity revealed to be joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing celebrity line-up.
Quek was announced to participate on the 2024 run of the BBC dancing competition in August on an episode of The One Show. “I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret!” she said. “The rumours were spreading and I had to lie!”
Quek is an Olympic hockey champion, having won a gold medal with team Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics. The athlete has won 125 international caps for the England and GB women’s hockey teams, winning her first against Argentina in 2007 aged just 19 while still studying sports and exercise science at Leeds Metropolitan University.
Get to know Sam ahead of this season’s contest:
Sam Quek: The Olympic hockey player turned Question of Sport star taking on Strictly
The athlete won a gold medal with team Great Britain at the 2016 Rio Olympics
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