Strictly Come Dancing is returning to our screens shortly and this year’s series will be extra special as the dance competition celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Whether you’re an expert and know your tango from your paso doble or you’re new to all the glitz and glam, there isn’t long to wait until a new group of celebrities take to the dancefloor.

As ever, celebrities will dance with a professional partner each throughout the series and they’ll battle it out to win the Glitterball Trophy at the end.

Here’s everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing 2024.

What will the 20th anniversary of Strictly involve?

The BBC has told viewers they can expect a journey through the 20 years of Strictly Come Dancing with iconic performances and interviews with past celebrity stars, professional dancers and judges to look forward to.

It said the new series will showcase why the show has captured the hearts of the nation for the past 20 years as one of the BBC’s best known and well-loved programmes.

Who are the 2024 judges?

Returning to the judging panel are Head Judge Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel-Horwood and Anton Du Beke.

Which celebrities are taking part this year?

The celebrity lineup has been revealed and there are plenty of new faces taking to the dancefloor including comedians, singers and TV presenters.

Here are all the celebrity contestants taking part in Strictly Come Dancing 2024:

  • Chris McCausland (comedian)
  • JB Gill (JLS singer)
  • Wynne Evans (singer)
  • Toyah Willcox (actress and singer)
  • Dr Punam Krishan (BBC Morning Live’s resident doctor and NHS GP)
  • Tasha Ghouri (Love Island)
  • Pete Wicks (The Only Way is Essex)
  • Shayne Ward (actor and singer)
  • Sarah Hadland (Miranda)
  • Jamie Borthwick (EastEnders)
  • Tom Dean (three-time Olympic champion swimmer)
  • Montell Douglas (Gladiators)
  • Nick Knowles (DIY SOS presenter)
  • Paul Merson (pundit and former Arsenal footballer)
  • Sam Quek (TV personality and hockey Olympic champion)

Who are the Strictly professionals for this year?

Professional dancers Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Nancy Xu, Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley, Michelle Tsiakkas, Vito Coppola and Aljaž Škorjanec will be paired with a celebrity to teach them how to dance.

Amy Dowden is coming back to Strictly following a battle with breast cancer and her return will be celebrated with an “empowering” group dance by the show’s professionals - it will be choreographed by Jason Gilkison.

The performance will feature in the launch show of the BBC dancing programme.

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Dowden was diagnosed with breast cancer in May 2023 when she found a lump the day before her honeymoon and missed out on having a celebrity partner in that year’s series of Strictly.

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The 34-year-old announced in February that she would return to the show this year, after a mastectomy and chemotherapy left her with “no evidence of disease” following tests.

She said she is “so excited” to be back dancing and with her “Strictly family”.

Strictly’s 2024 series will also welcome professional dancer Aljaž Škorjanec back after a two-year hiatus.

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2024 start?

Strictly Come Dancing starts on Saturday, September 14 and viewers can catch all the action on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 7.20pm.