Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman make their first appearance on Strictly Come Dancing since announcing they'll be leaving at the end of this series
"Thank you for your beautiful messages," the hosts say to the audience as the show begins
Lewis and Katya kicked off today with a Quickstep that impressed the judges - they bagged a score of 34, the highest of the night
Here's the leaderboard for you
La Voix, who managed a mere 14 points last week, sees the score doubled to 28 with Cher's Strong Enough
Ellie Goldstein has had quite the surprise - a personal message from her favourite Spice Girl, Emma Bunton, who says Ellie is her top pick
As part of Icons Week, the judges are dressing up as, well, icons - here's who they're attempting to channel
TikToker and podcaster George Clarke has been racking up impressive scores this season, but the top of the leaderboard remains stubbornly out of reach.
Even with a solid 30 points last week, he only managed fifth place.
Tonight, though, he’s not letting anything hold him back - he and partner Alexis are taking on a Jive to Harry Styles’ As It Was.
Amy Walker
Live reporter
Image source, BBC/PATop-scorer Alex arrives with hair even more fabulous than usual for the Foxtrot, set to one of her personal favourites - Dolly Parton.
With Johannes, she sweeps around the floor. It looks effortless and controlled.
"She is divine," says Anton, who adds that he is transfixed by Alex's legs.
The couple are in perfect harmony, pulling off an immaculate heel turn.
Craig says it was not all perfect, but Motsi says that despite a hiccup, the couple made it "look like nothing happened" thanks to their musicality.
Here's how the judges scored the couple:
Craig: 7
Motsi: 8
Shirley: 8
Anton: 9
Total: 32
Actress Alex Kingston staked her claim as a serious contender last week, snapping up the second 10 of the series with her rumba and gliding straight to the top of that all-important leaderboard.
This week, she’s taking on a Foxtrot to Dolly Parton’s Here You Come Again - and you can bet she’s hoping it’s a 10 that comes again.
Amy Walker
Live reporter
Image source, BBC/PAEllie takes on not one, but five icons - Posh, Ginger, Scary and Sporty - dancing to a Spice Girls mash-up.
It's a modern Salsa with real punch, and Ellie puts all her trust in Vito with several lifts.
At one point she glides into the splits and is spun around the floor.
By all accounts, it’s an exhausting and exciting routine.
"I love the energy," says Craig, but he thinks Ellie needs more hip rotation - cue a chorus of boos from the audience as always.
He also wants to see better transitions, but says the personality she brings to the floor is incredible.
Motsi lifts the mood, describing her as a "force", and adds that all aspects of her dancing are growing.
There’s another twist for Ellie - her favourite Spice Girl, Emma Bunton, sends a video message to say that Ellie’s her top pick on Strictly.
"I just want to tell you I think you are a superstar," Emma says, wishing her luck with tonight’s scores.
Now for the all-important scores:
Craig: 6
Motsi: 8
Shirley: 7
Anton: 7
Total: 28
Actress and model Ellie Goldstein bagged her best score yet last week, landing fourth on the leaderboard with 31 points.
This week, Ellie is cranking up the heat with her partner Vito, taking on a Salsa to a Spice Girls medley.
Could a dash of girl power see her leap to the top of the leaderboard?
Amy Walker
Live reporter
Image source, BBC/PAIn a sparkling chiffon dress, Karen and Carlos tackle a slow, controlled Rumba to what Karen calls her “icon”, Celine Dion.
This is a real change of pace for the pair, whose previous dances have been more hare than tortoise.
It’s all about balance tonight, and Carlos has thrown Karen the trickiest Reumba walks in the book - which Shirley says she pulled off “very, very well”.
Anton reckons her “line and form were exquisite.”
Here’s how the judges scored it:
Craig: 7
Motsi: 7
Shirley: 7
Anton: 7
Total: 28
You’ve probably already picked your favourite - and couldn’t care less how many points they rack up.
But if you fancy a quick stroll down memory lane, here’s our scoreboard for you.
Former England women's captain Karen Carney quickstepped her way to 27 points last week.
Today, she’s taking it down a notch with a rumba to Think Twice by Canadian songstress Céline Dion.
And she’s got partner Carlos for company.
Amy Walker
Live reporter
Lewis and Katya are blazing a trail as he slides and glides around to Johnny Cash, kicking off icons week as the first couple to hit the floor.
It’s a perfect start to the evening - “how you open a show," says Motsi, clearly impressed.
Shirley, never one to let a detail slide, points out a few coordination issues, but still calls it a “good” Quickstep... which, from her, is practically a standing ovation.
Now for the scores:
Craig: 9
Motsi: 9
Shirley: 8
Anton: 8
Total: 34
We’re spotting Stefan Dennis in the audience seats after bowing out of the show thanks to injury.
He looks positively delighted!
Earlier, as we kick off tonight's show, Claudia and Tess make a quick nod to the news of their departure this week.
Claudia thanks viewers for their "beautiful messages" and reminds everyone there are still another eight weeks left in the series.
Tess says "we cannot wait to spend the rest of this series with you".
Actor Lewis Cope nearly stole the show at the top of the leaderboard last week, chalking up 34 points for his Foxtrot to the iconic L-O-V-E by Nat King Cole.
To bounce back from the sting of finishing second, Lewis and his partner Katya are back with a Johnny Cash-inspired Quickstep to Ring of Fire.
Noor Nanji
Culture reporter
Image source, EPAOn Sunday night, Hollywood's Rachel Zegler will make a guest appearance on Strictly, performing Don't Cry For Me Argentina.
The American actress and singer, 24, starred in Jamie Lloyd's revival of Evita in the West End this summer, and will join the results show to perform the play’s famous song.
The professional dancers will also perform a routine paying tribute to pop star Britney Spears tomorrow night.
Strictly Come Dancing kicked off bang on 18:25 BST. Here we go!
Just a reminder, you can Watch live above, or tune in on BBC One or iPlayer.
And, of course, if you stick around here, you’ll get all the text updates.
With Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman bowing out of Strictly after the Christmas special on 25 December, the rumour mill is in full spin over who will step into their sparkling shoes.
Responding to our callout, here's what you've had to say:
Steve in Brighton reckons TV presenter Holly Willoughby “would be a safe pair of hands”.
“A young male would be a good move,” he adds. “[The One Show host] Roman Kemp comes across well to a wide audience, and is a polished presenter - but not sure he has the humour.”
Sharon Shamedje in London, meanwhile, is championing former musicians turned presenters - and spouses - Marvin and Rochelle Humes as the new power duo.
“They're a gorgeous and wholesome couple with obvious amazing chemistry, dance and performance knowledge,” she says. “I love their chemistry. I think they'll be excellent replacement hosts.”
But not everyone is waltzing along with the suggestions being floated this week. “If Stacey Dooley, Alan Carr, Holly Willoughby or Alison Hammond are chosen to host Strictly, I won’t watch it again and I’ve watched every series,” says Linda.
Noor Nanji
Culture reporter
Icons week was introduced last year to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Strictly.
The idea - as the name suggests - is that the couples perform routines to songs from their favourite music heroes.
Tonight, the 11 remaining couples will take to the ballroom floor to honour music icons from across the decades, with songs by Beyoncé, Harry Styles and Ariana Grande in the mix.
I'm told the judges will also be in costume as different icons - but you'll have to watch to find out exactly who they're dressed as.
My money's on Anton Du Beke turning up dressed as Elvis...
This is how the judges dressed for last year's Icons Week
Noor Nanji
Culture reporter
Neighbours star Stefan Dennis won't appear this weekend after he withdrew from the contest due to injury.
Earlier this week, Dennis - who was partnered with professional Dianne Buswell - issued a statement saying he had torn his calf "so significantly" that he had been forced to pull out.
When I met the Australian actor backstage ahead of the first live show, he told me his main reason for taking part was so he could take his wife out dancing.
And in his statement, he insisted he would still be able to do that.
"I owe both the Strictly family and Dianne a massive debt of gratitude for giving me the opportunity to fulfil my dream of being able to dance with my wife (when my leg is better)," he said.
Dennis won't be replaced in the contest. The series will continue with the pairs who are already in it - putting this year's series on course for three couples in the final.
Image source, Getty ImagesClaudia Winkleman is best known as the host of Strictly Come Dancing and The Traitors.
Born and raised in London, she studied history of art at the University of Cambridge before launching her career in broadcasting.
Easily spotted by her trademark fringe, she has fronted a string of popular shows, including The Great British Sewing Bee, The Piano and The Traitors - with the latter earning her a Bafta for best entertainment performance in 2023.
Claudia joined the Strictly family right from the start in 2004 as host of the weekday spin-off It Takes Two, before stepping up to co-host the main show in 2014.
In 2024, she left her BBC Radio 2 show to spend more time with her family.
She married her partner, film producer Kris Thykier, in 2000 - they have three children.
Image source, Getty ImagesTess Daly is one of the UK's most high-profile TV presenters.
Raised in a small Derbyshire village, she was scouted as a teenager for modelling work - a gig that whisked her around the world and even landed her in Duran Duran music videos.
Her big TV break came in 1999, presenting The Big Breakfast's modelling competition on Channel 4.
Since then, she's fronted shows including SM:TV Live, Children in Need and the Royal Variety Performance.
In 2004, she began co-presenting Strictly Come Dancing alongside Bruce Forsyth.
Daly is married to TV and BBC Radio 2 presenter Vernon Kay. The couple have two children. She is also an author and runs a swimwear brand.
You've a range of options for watching tonight's show - you can Watch live above, or 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, you’ll get all the text updates.
