Steven McIntosh
Entertainment reporter

Every year, the Strictly contestants might look like they’ve just come back from a six-week holiday in Barbados. But in reality, most haven’t set foot beyond the BBC’s studios in Elstree.

Strictly’s resident fake tanner, Carrie Marsh, has been explaining how she and her team usually set up camp in Anton du Beke’s dressing room every week with their spray-tan machine and products.

“Most people have a full-body spray tan,” she tells BBC Radio Berkshire. “Some of the gents, if they’re not getting their legs out, they’ll just have the top half of their body sprayed, especially if they’ve got an open shirt and they’re showing their chest. But most of the time it’s full-body.”

While some of the celebs might be initially reluctant to get a spray tan, Marsh says most become more enthusiastic and a few even ask for darker shades with every passing week.

“Sometimes it depends on the dance they’re doing or the outfit they’re wearing,” she says, “and I decide what colour to spray them from there.”

But, she adds in another interview with BBC Radio Lancashire, some celebrities also want to make sure the tan will have disappeared by the time they show up for other jobs on Monday.

“If you’ve got actors who are still doing scenes in shows, you do have to be careful not to take them too dark,” she notes, “or I just give them lots of advice on how to get it off more quickly.”

TikToker and podcaster George Clarke admits that learning the steps for Strictly Come Dancing has turned out to be far tougher than he bargained for.

The Bristolian, known as Clarkey, says he clicked with his dance partner Alexis Warr straight away, and is relishing the chance to do something his family can actually watch without blushing.

“My nan is over the moon. When I called her [to say he was doing the show], she was like 'Oh that's really cool',” he tells BBC Radio Bristol.

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Noor Nanji
Culture reporter

The first two contestants faced the dreaded Strictly dance-off last Sunday to decide their fate.

And in the end, it was former Apprentice star Thomas Skinner who left the show, after judges voted to save former England rugby captain Chris Robshaw.

When asked by co-host Tess Daly about his experience on the show, Skinner paid tribute to his professional dance partner Amy Dowden.

“Thank you, Amy - sorry that we haven't done too good, because you're a different class,” he said to her.

• You can read more here

You've got a range of options for watching tonight's show, which starts at 18:05 BST.

You can Watch live above, just press the button, or you can tune in on BBC One or iPlayer.

There’s also a signed version available on iPlayer with British Sign Language.

Viewers on BBC One and iPlayer can watch with audio description and subtitles.

And, of course, if you stick around here with us, you’ll get all the text updates as we go on.

Noor Nanji
Culture reporter

Neighbours actor Stefan Dennis, 66, has pulled out of this weekend's Strictly due to illness.

He and professional partner Dianne Buswell will receive a bye to next week’s show, according to a statement on Strictly’s Instagram page.

It means they automatically advance to the next week of the competition without having to dance.

Dennis posted in the comments, saying he was “so sorry to disappoint” but adding: “I expect to be back on deck with a full recovery and a rip-roaring dance next week to make up."

Buswell also posted on Instagram, where she called Dennis a “trooper.”

“I know how much you wanted to dance. Hopefully we will be back in full force next week," she says.

Noor Nanji
Culture reporter

Image source, Reuters

(And I count myself among them).

We’re already excited for Wicked's sequel, and tonight is only going to take that to the next level.

Actress Cynthia Erivo, who stars as Elphaba in the film, will be making a special appearance in tonight’s movie-themed week, as Strictly’s first ever guest mentor.

It marks a return to the show for Oscar nominee Erivo, who was a guest judge for two weeks in 2021.

As guest mentor, she will help the couples deliver “blockbuster performances”, the BBC says.

The BBC also confirms that tonight’s show will feature a Wicked-inspired performance by the professional dancers.

Jamie Whitehead
Live editor

Welcome to our live coverage of Strictly Come Dancing, and things are starting to heat up. It’s the first themed week of this series, and we’re rolling out the red carpet for Movie Week.

Fourteen couples will grab a tune from iconic films and attempt to move their bodies with a heady mix of dancing and acting.

We’ve got a Paso Double from The Mask of Zorro, a Charleston inspired by The Great Gatsby, a Salsa to Mufasa: The Lion King and a whole load more.

So, grab your popcorn and let us guide you through this weeks Sambas and Salsas.

It’s a celebration of cinema - what more could you possibly ask for?