Strictly Come Dancing 2021 launch date is officially confirmed

"The countdown is ON! Only 15 days to go until Tom Fletcher and our Strictly stars hit the dance floor," read the tweet.

The announcement follows an unofficial reveal earlier in the week, after BBC Breakfast's Dan Walker let slip the Strictly launch date while on-air during Wednesday's show.

The presenter, who joined the Strictly Come Dancing 2021 line-up last month, let slip the launch date to co-anchor Louise Minchin.

“I was just going to put your date in the diary," he said.

“I meet and greet the partner in a couple of days time, and actually the first show is on the 18th and then the live shows start on the 25th.”

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The September launch date will see a return to normality for Strictly producers, after the show's start was pushed back to October last year due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Both Walker and Fletcher will be taking to the Strictly dance floor this year alongside the likes of comedian Robert Webb, Olympic gold medallist Adam Peaty, Loose Women’s Judi Love and TV presenter AJ Odudu.

Other celebrities set to make their Strictly debut include Gordon Ramsay’s daughter Tilly Ramsay, The Crown’s Greg Wise, EastEnders star Nina Wadia and former Bake Off contestant John Whaite, who’ll be competing in the show’s very first all-male partnership.

Strictly will return on Saturday 18th September 2021. Want something else to watch? Check out our full TV Guide or visit our Entertainment hub for the latest news.