Strictly Come Dancing contestant Graeme Hall has revealed that producers have scrapped the opening video segments previously used to reveal which celebrity had been paired with which professional dancer.
Speaking on Radio Northampton, the podcaster and dog trainer said: "This year, they're doing it slightly differently. We don't find out until the launch show. You have no say in it, the pros have no say in it."
In previous years, the pre-recorded launch episode had shown celebrities visiting locations across the country to discover the professional dancer they would be teamed with for the series. However, producers have chosen to revert to the pre-Covid format in which the pairings are announced live in the studio, with both the dancers and celebrities discovering their partners at the same time as the viewing public.
Major changes to the presenting line-up
The BBC show is set to return to screens in just a few weeks with some major changes. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe are set to take over from Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman as hosts, while five new professional dancers are joining the line-up.
Former contestant Ellie Taylor has also been announced as the new host of Strictly spin-off show It Takes Two, replacing Janette Manrara and her co-presenter Fleur East.
New contestants and professionals
Joining Graeme on the line-up are Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton, Cach Mercer, Jaime Winstone, Will Best, Sean Wright-Phillips, Bethany Antonia, Lawrence Robb, John Nellis, Tabby Stoecker, Dame Sarah Storey and Melanie Walters, reports the Express.
A number of familiar professionals are set to return, although Gorka Marquez, Karen Hauer, Michelle Tsiakkas, Luba Mushtuk and Nadiya Bychkova have all confirmed they are leaving the show.
Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita are set to take to the dance floor for the very first time when the new series launches next month.
Executive praise for new dancers
Sarah James, Executive Producer, BBC Studios, said: "Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark are all outstanding world class dancers and we can't wait to see them shine under the Strictly glitterball this September."
Jo Wallace, Senior Commissioning Editor, BBC Entertainment, said: "It's so exciting to welcome the brilliantly talented Aleksandra, Cristian, Lethabo, Maddie and Mark. As if the return of Strictly wasn't shaping up to be fab-u-lous enough already, they're five more reasons why the new series is not to be missed."
Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer in September.
