Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

…and it’s Chris McCausland, whose partner has been revealed as Dianne Buswell.

Claudia Winkleman said that the pairing was dreamy to which McClausland said: “She is absolutely over the moon having me because she [Dianne] really wants November off. You’ve got a holiday booked, haven’t you?!”

Buswell who reached the final last year said she was a “big fan” of the comedian.

“I’m so excited and honoured to be your partner.”

The 34-year-old professional dancer, was twice diagnosed with cancer last year but has been able to return to the show after a course of treatment.

She's looking pretty in pink and taking centre stage of the group dance to mark her return in style!

A soap stars, a comedian, Olympians, and an opera singer - this year's Strictly has a packed line up of celebs.

We're getting to meet this year's contestants - and you can take a look at this year's full line-up here.

Craig's rugged new look has been acknowledged - and we agree with Tess, he looks great!

Anton says he's excited for the new series to begin, so is Motsi, and so are we!

Head judge Shirley has shared her long list of 'dancing fundamentals' and wants to see personality from our celebrities...who we're being introduced to right now!

Tarik Habte
Live reporter

Yes, you have read that correctly!

A delightfully camp start to the start of the 20th series featuring Tess Daly and Claudia as, erm, mechanics?

A Gina G + Steps megamix to follow up? Strictly is definitely back!

Tarik Habte
Live reporter

And now, the moment we've been waiting all year for - Strictly Come Dancing is back!

You can watch along on the stream at the top of this page and also on BBC One, and the iPlayer.

We are expecting some big set piece dances this evening - and will find out which celebs are going to be paired with which dancers.

So salsa over to your sofa and settle in with us for an extra-special launch show marking 20 glittery years of sequins, scores and Strictly.

Keeeep watching...

Lucy Acheson
Live reporter

Thirty four-year-old Amy Dowden is set to return to Strictly’s professional line-up for this year’s series after being diagnosed with stage three breast cancer in May 2023.

She said she “had no idea just what the impact” of cancer would be on her life.

The dancer, from Caerphilly in Wales, didn’t compete in last year’s Strictly, but was able to take part in the final in December.

Amy, who joined the show in 2017, revealed to fans on Instagram that "no evidence of disease" was found during a health check in February this year.

Dowden is expected to mark her return to Strictly at the front and centre of the ballroom, dancing a quickstep during the series’ opening show.

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

We already know who the celebrities are.

There are 15 new faces, including the TV presenter Nick Knowles, British swimmer Tom Dean, and former Love Islander Tasha Ghouri.

But at tonight’s launch show, it will be revealed which professional dancer they have been paired with.

Once the pairings have been announced, the celebrities and professionals will perform a group routine, before the live shows begin next week.

Just about 20 minutes to go now until this year’s cha chas, tangos and waltzes get started.

We’re live here at the top of this page, on iPlayer and BBC One at 19:20BST.

But just to whet your appetite even more, here’s a little idea of what’s coming your way between now and Christmas.

Don’t forget to tell us what some of your favourite moments have been over the last 20 years.

Here’s a few more of ours:

2016: Ed Balls performing to Gangnam Style

Image source, Guy Levy/BBC

Former MP Ed Balls stunned Strictly viewers when he performed a salsa dance with Katya Jones to ‘Gangnam Style’ by South Korean singer PSY. The politician’s pony dancing was a hit online and left judges shocked, with Head judge Len Goodman saying I don’t think there’s words in the dictionary to describe that.”

2020: The First Same-Sex Couple - Nicola Adams and Katya Jones

The partnership of Olympic boxer Nicola Adams and Katya Jones as the first same-sex couple in the competition was a huge moment for the show, with Adams saying she asked for a female partner because it was “definitely time for change”. The pair only made it to week 4 before dropping out of the competition when Jones contracted Covid-19.

2021: Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice's tribute

In the show’s nineteenth series, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis was praised for the silent dance she did with partner Giovanni Pernice as a tribute to the deaf community. Halfway through the performance, the music turned to muffled noise and silence as the pair danced on. Anton Du Beke called it “the greatest thing I’ve ever seen on the show”.

Twenty years. It’s a long time isn’t it? Some of you reading this will have watched series one with babies on your laps, who are now grown adults sat next to you.

We’ve all got our favourite Strictly moments, so don’t forget to tell us what yours are here.

There’s been some emotional, fantastic, ground breaking and funny moments over the last 20 years. Here’s a few of them:

2004: The first-ever 40 score

Actress Jill Halfpenny and her partner Darren Bennett did a high tempo jive to I’m Still Standing by Elton John in the series 2 finale. The dance led to a standing ovation from the audience and encouraged all four judges to get out their ‘10’ paddles for the very first time.

2007: The Debut of the Dance-Off

In Series 5, the introduction of the "Dance-Off" segment, where the bottom two couples perform again to determine who stays and who leaves, added drama and a new dynamic to the elimination process (plus, it means viewers get to enjoy a second episode of Strictly each week!).

It's a bumper night of culture here on the BBC, with people across the country also tuning in for Last Night of the Proms.

Sitting next to me in New Broadcasting House is my colleague Jack Burgess, who is covering all the pomp and ceremony from the final night of the world’s largest classical festival for the website -you can follow along here.

You can watch our live coverage over on BBC Two, or stick around after the end of Strictly on BBC One for the concert's glittering finale.

Ian Youngs
Entertainment and Arts Reporter, BBC News

Back in July, BBC director general Tim Davie apologised to Strictly Come Dancing contestants after complaints of abusive behaviour on the show.

Davie said he was "disappointed" to hear that several celebrities had complained about how their dance partners treated them in rehearsals.

The BBC One show's professionals should not cross the line between being competitive and "unacceptable behaviour", he said.

"There will be a degree of competitiveness and will to do well, but there are limits and the line should never be crossed."

"We never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind."

Read more on the allegations which have affected Strictly Come Dancing.

Noor Nanji
BBC News Culture reporter

The new series of Strictly follows a storm of controversy over the experiences of some contestants and former staff on the BBC show.

An investigation, launched by the BBC following allegations made about Giovanni Pernice by former dance partner Amanda Abbington, will reportedly conclude soon. Pernice has denied any allegations of abusive or threatening behaviour.

He will not be returning for the show's series this year.

Another professional dancer, Graziano Di Prima, has also left the show.

His spokesman admitted to BBC News that Di Prima had kicked his partner Zara McDermott in a rehearsal last year.

Other former celebrity contestants, the TV presenter Laura Whitmore and paralympian Will Bayley, have also spoken out about their experiences on the show.

Strictly: The Story Behind the Headlines is available on iPlayer

Along with the judges and the celebrities, this evening will also see the pro dancers return.

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 and Vito Coppola will all take to the Strictly dancefloor, guaranteeing viewers an abundance of spectacular routines.

They're ready to dazzle and delight with their extraordinary talent and choreography.

And they'll be joined by Aljaž Škorjanec, returning to the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom as a professional dancer.

After a two-year hiatus, fan favourite Aljaž is waltzing back onto our screens.

Once again determining whose routines are en pointe and who needs to pick themselves up and shake it off will be Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood and Anton Du Beke.

Du Beke previously took up a short stint on the panel in 2020, having first joined the show in 2004 as a professional dancer.

He then replaced Bruno Tonioli on the panel in 2021 who had been unable to fly over for the show due to Covid restrictions.

The four have formed the judging panel on the show since then.

Image source, BBC/Keiron McCarron

This will be the 20th anniversary series of the show, the first episode of which aired on Saturday 15 May 2004.

The initial series had eight contestants and was presented by Tess Daly and Bruce Forsyth.

The occasion will be marked with a one-off programme which will waltz viewers through the show’s history and feature interviews with previous celeb participants, dancers and judges. You’ll be able to watch on BBC One and iPlayer - as well as on this page.

It’s a programme that’s showcased everything from Ann Widdecombe’s American Smooth through to The Wanted’s Max George and his Simpsons' routine - we doubt there will be any sidestepping around some of those more memorable performances.

Image source, .

The 2024 celebrity contestant list was confirmed at the end of August. Among those waltzing and salsa-ing across our TV screens will be presenter Nick Knowles, comedian Chris McCausland and Olympic medallist Sam Quek.

Opera singer and broadcaster Wynne Evans says he’s still pinching himself. “Aportly balding opera singer, me, taking part in Strictly Come Dancing?!

“I’m not entirely sure how I’ll get along, if all else fails I’ll just have to learn the art of distraction.”

Meanwhile, X-Factor winner and actor Shayne Ward is “buzzing” for the “sparkles and magic”. “I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.”

Here are this year's celebrities:

Chris McCausland - Comedian

JB Gill - Singer, TV presenter and author

Wynne Evans - Broadcaster, presenter, and professionally trained opera singer

Toyah Willcox - Singer and actress

Dr Punam Krishan - Media medic and broadcaster

Tasha Ghouri - Model and TV personality

Pete Wicks - TV personality, author, radio and podcast host

Shayne Ward - Actor and singer

Sarah Hadland - Actress

Jamie Borthwick - Actor

Tom Dean MBE - Three-time Olympic swimming champion

Montell Douglas - Gladiator and Olympian

Nick Knowles -Bafta-winning TV presenter

Paul Merson - Former footballer and broadcaster

Sam Quek - Olympic and European Gold medallist, former England and Team GB hockey player and now a TV and Radio Presenter

With the launch of Strictly, we are now well and truly into Autumn - and the countdown to Christmas is on.

So who are watching with tonight? Where are you? Who do you think will win? Who do you want to win? What Strictly snacks have you got to watch with tonight?

Let us know, you can get in touch in the following ways:

• Email: yourquestions@bbc.co.uk
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In some cases a selection of your comments and questions will be published, displaying your name and location as you provide it unless you state otherwise. Your contact details will never be published.

Michael Sheils McNamee
BBC News

Is that time of year again already? A few weeks ago it was barbecues and hanging the washing outside. Now the kids are back at school, the nights are drawing in.

And Strictly Come Dancing is back.

Can you believe it’s been 20 years? Tonight, we’re bringing you live coverage of the launch show for the 20th anniversary series, which you can watch live at the top of this page from 19:20. It’s also on iPlayer and BBC One.

Who will be paired with who? Who will be wearing what? And what will the judges have to say about this year’s contestants?

Myself and my colleague Tarik Habte are here in New Broadcasting House, bringing you all this and more over the next few hours.

So get a drink, get some snacks, and keep dancing.