TLDR; No, they can’t. The Strictly Come Dancing judges, like many experienced dance professionals, can spot the finalists from the first moment they walk into the studio. But on Strictly, the winner is chosen by the audience.
Strictly Come Dancing is back for the 20th year, once again bringing joy and sparkle to homes across the nation. The multi-award-winning entertainment show, produced by BBC Studios, will return to BBC One and BBC iPlayer for its new series at 1920 on Saturday 14th September.
As the nationâs favourite dance show celebrates two spectacular decades of dance, this series promises to be extra special with even more glitz, glamour and unforgettable performances.
The celebrities quick stepping onto our screens this year are Chris McCausland, Jamie Borthwick, JB Gill, Montell Douglas, Nick Knowles, Tasha Ghouri, Tom Dean MBE, Toyah Willcox, Paul Merson, Pete Wicks, Punam Krishan, Sam Quek MBE, Sarah Hadland, Shayne Ward and Wynne Evans.
Strictly Come Dancing will launch on Saturday 14th September, with our hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman welcoming our
celebrity contestants onto the Strictly dancefloor as they make their dancing debut and we discover which Professional Dancer they
will be paired with. Once the pairings have been announced the celebrities and professionals will perform an eye-catching group
routine, launching the new series in style.
Watching their every move and making notes ahead our first live show will be our Strictly Judges – Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi
Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas.
Our dazzling professional dancers for the upcoming series are: AljaĹž Ĺ korjanec, Amy Dowden MBE, Carlos Gu, Dianne Buswell,
Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, Jowita Przystal, Kai Widdrington, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Lauren Oakley, Luba Mushtuk,
Michelle Tsiakkas, Nadiya Bychkova, Nancy Xu Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin and Vito Coppola.
Strictly Come Dancing Head Judge, Shirley Ballas
How does it feel to be part of Strictlyâs 20th year?
Well, to be honest with you, Iâm absolutely, totally honoured to be part of Strictlyâs 20th year because itâs a show that brings families together. They can enjoy the performances, learn a little bit about the techniques, and everything else that goes with it, and they follow the journeys of all the Strictly people. I think it’s a staple in people’s homes. You know, for the last 20 years, people have become experts, and I’m proud to be part of that. I love that the audience gets so involved.
Can you describe Strictly in one word or one phrase?
Phenomenally joyous.
Do you think youâll be bringing out any surprises when it comes to your looks or outfits this year?
Yes, my son has been chatting to me because he loves Claudia. He loves the way she dresses. He thinks sheâs iconic. I think heâs got a little soft spot there. So Iâve been looking at some amazing power suits as wellâŚwait and see!
Can you explain that feeling just before you walk out onto the ballroom floor and sit in the judge’s chair?
Itâs the feeling of terror. My tummy turns over when the music kicks in. I feel a lot of pressure to make the best show ever for the audience. You know, I stand on the stairs, I see the cameras, the crew, and the audience, and I see Motsi across from me. I blow her
a little kiss every week and feel super, super nervous when weâre kicking off the first show. Then I get in my zone, and itâs like Iâm in a world championship or something because Strictly is its own little world championship for me.
Do you have any specific drinks or snacks under the judgeâs table to keep you going throughout the night?
I donât tend to drink any fluid once Iâm on TV because Iâm always nervous, and itâs live, so you canât get up and go to the loo. In between the VTs, thereâs a lovely lady who comes around with a box of sweets, which we all look forward to. Of course, Anton Du Beke steals all the good ones, but I might pinch a sweet occasionally, though not very often. I like to stay focused.
Do you think thereâs any magic ingredient that every previous winner has? And can you spot a winner early on, or is it something that youâre undecided on until the night of the final?
I can spot a person thatâs coordinated when theyâre walking down the stairs or walking on the floor, or I can assess their posture just by the way they stand. But spotting a winner is a little bit more tricky. Like when I saw Bill Bailey come down the stairs in his gold trousers, I thought, âOh, Iâm not sure about this young man.â I wasnât quite sure, and then he went on to win it. He had an exemplary work ethic. He studied all the dances and what countries they came from. He took the criticism on board amazingly well and came back every week trying his absolute best. Luckily, he went on to win the show, and that was marvellous. So just because you’re the best dancer doesnât mean youâll win the show. Who knows who the audience is going to pick? At the end of the day, youâve got to have a bit of technique, a bit of coordination, a bit of rhythm, great personality, great storyline, work ethic – you need all these things.
What do you think of the contestants this year? Any thoughts and feelings on the class of 2024?
Well, I have to say, I think itâs absolutely remarkable. Weâve got singers, Olympians, actors, sports stars, TV stars, and even a doctor. I canât wait to get to know each and every one of them when theyâre on the dance floor. I do believe the majority of these people are great movers. I think itâs a great cast, and Iâm looking forward to getting to know them all. So hold on to your hat. Buckle up your seat belt, Strictly, is about to take off.
Motsi Mabuse
How does it feel to be a part of Strictlyâs 20th year?
Being part of Strictlyâs 20th year is absolutely incredible. Itâs a huge milestone, and Iâm so honoured to be part of a show that has become such an integral part of so many people’s lives. The energy, the excitement, and the joy that Strictly brings is something truly special, and to be celebrating 20 years is just the cherry on top.
Describe Strictly in one word/phrase?
Pure magic.
Do you think youâll be bringing out any surprises when it comes to your âlooksâ / outfits this year?
Oh, absolutely! I love expressing myself through fashion, and Strictly gives me the perfect platform to have fun with my looks. Expect some bold, glamorous, and maybe even a few unexpected surprises this year. I canât wait for everyone to see what weâve got planned!
Can you explain the feeling just before you walk out onto the ballroom floor and sit in your judges’ chair? Do you still get nervous when you hear the iconic theme tune on a Saturday night?
Every time I hear that iconic theme tune, I still get butterflies. Thereâs a mix of excitement and anticipation. Itâs like the first time every time. Walking out onto the Ballroom floor is such a powerful moment; it reminds me of the responsibility and the joy that comes with being part of this show. And yes, thereâs always a little bit of nerves, but itâs the good kindâthe kind that reminds me of how much I care about what I do.
Do you have any specific drinks/snacks under the judges’ table to keep you going throughout the night?
Iâm all about staying hydrated, so I always have water with me. As for snacks, I love having something light but energisingânuts or a piece of fruit usually do the trick. Itâs important to keep the energy levels up because the show is non-stop excitement from start to finish!
Do you think there are any magic ingredients that every previous winner has had? Can you spot a winner early on? Or are you still undecided until the night of the final?
Thereâs definitely something special about each winnerâthey all have a certain spark. Itâs a combination of passion, dedication, and the ability to connect with the audience. Sometimes you can sense that spark early on, but Strictly is full of surprises, and thatâs the beauty of it. The journey is as important as the destination, and sometimes the winner emerges in the most unexpected ways.
What do you think of the Strictly class of 2024?
The class of 2024 is shaping up to be something extraordinary! Each year brings new personalities and new dynamics, and Iâm excited to see how theyâll all evolve throughout the season. Thereâs so much potential, and I canât wait to see the stories unfold on the dance floor. Itâs going to be a phenomenal year
Craig Revel Horwood
You’ve been here since the very beginning. How does it feel to be part of Strictly’s 20th year?
Well, for me, it’s life-changing, obviously, because when I started back in May 2004, I had no idea it would last one season, let alone 20 years. And now, I’m Len’s age when he started, which is bizarre because there was a 20-year age difference between us. It’s really exciting and I can’t wait. Itâs one of those shows that feels brand new every year because of the cast. It feels like a completely
different show every time. So for me, it’s really exciting, and it’s been wonderful to wave the dance flag for the last 20 years.
Could you describe the show in one word or phrase?
FAB-U-LOUS â what else?!
Can you explain the feeling just before you walk out onto that ballroom floor and sit in your judgeâs chair? Do you still get nervous?
Yes, I do. As soon as I hear the music, I think, âOkay, whatâs going to happen?â The reason Iâm nervous is for the contestants because they’ve worked hard all week for that one performance. Because itâs live, thereâs no turning back. Whatever happens on that day happens, and even professionals have made mistakes over the years. Thereâs no escaping it, and you just donât know how itâs going to go on the night.
Do you have any specific drinks or snacks under the judgesâ table that keep you going throughout the night, especially during those lengthy first recordings?
I have an abundance of little sweets, like a pick and mix. I love those because I never know what I fancy – mainly, I have Wine Gums. And I might have a black coffee to keep me going.
Are there any magic ingredients that every previous winner has had? Can you spot a winner early on, or are you undecided until the latter stages of the competition?
Well, I think you can spot whoâs going to be popular with the crowd. Thatâs the most important thing. Itâs not necessarily how brilliantly they dance; itâs how they engage the audience. You can usually tell as they walk down the stairs whether they have that
“it” factor, that charisma. For instance, Kelvin had it. He wasnât the absolute best dancer, but he had charisma. I can generally tell who the finalists will be and can usually pick five people who could possibly make it to the final based on dance talent and charisma. You have to weigh up both – whether theyâll engage the audience and whether they can perform the dance routines.
And finally, what do you think of the Strictly class of 2024?
Iâm so looking forward to it. Some I donât know very well, but for example I learned with Joe Sugg, for instance that you fall in love with them and follow their journey. His journey was wonderful and he really nailed it in the end. He was fantastic. So, for me,
this year thereâs a real cross-section of the community, which I think is really important.
Anton Du Beke
You have been here since the very beginning, how does it feel to be a part of Strictlyâs 20th year?
Itâs very exciting. I canât tell you how delighted I am. Itâs my favourite time of the year, Iâve felt the same about it for 20 years and I know I shall continue to feel the same about it for the next 20 years.
Describe Strictly in one word/phrase?
Joyous.
Do you think youâll be bringing out any surprises when it comes to your âlooksâ / outfits this year?
Weâll have to wait and see. I am hoping to be wearing a top hat, white tie and tails one week though.
Can you explain the feeling just before you walk out onto the ballroom floor and sit in your judges chair? Do you still get nervous when you hear the iconic theme tune on a Saturday night?
When I was competing, part of the fun is seeing which partner turns up each week, the Monday partner, who doesnât know the routine at all, or the Friday partner whoâs absolutely nailed it. Iâm also delighted to go into the judgeâs chair. My knees are always terribly grateful. I get as excited now as I always did. Even if a couple come in and theyâve nailed their routine in rehearsals and in
dress rehearsals theyâve smashed it, if suddenly something goes wrong and the whole world goes to a grinding halt. Thatâs what makes it so special and exciting, the unreliability of live television.
Do you have any specific drinks/snacks under the judges table to keep you going throughout the night?!
Tea â itâs in my mug every week, I love it.
Do you think there are any magic ingredients that every previous winner has had? Can you spot a winner early on? Or are you still undecided until the night of the final?
You can spot your finalists from the first day when they walk into the room in fact, but you canât spot a winner because thatâs up to the audience. My job is over when the semi-final is finished, other than telling everybody well done, after that I become an interested viewer. Itâs the audience who determine the champion.
What do you think to the Strictly class of 2024?
I think itâs going to be a brilliant cast this year. Iâm particularly looking forward to seeing Nick Knowles I know that heâs got a couple of builders dance moves !
