Strictly Come Dancing 2022: Start date and time, speculation and latest news

Each couple will have three opportunities to show off their best moves, and judging by the Strictly Come Dancing songs and dances that have been lined up, it's looking to be an epic showdown.

From a Samba to Hot Hot Hot by Arrow for Fleur's first dance to Helen Skelton's Jive to Tightrope by Janelle Monáe, viewers can expect a big night of entertainment.

Last weekend saw Will Mellor narrowly miss out on the final, as he became the 11th contestant to leave Strictly, following a dance-off with Fleur.

But, who will follow in the footsteps of last year's champ, actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, and lift the Glitterball for 2022? We're just hours away from finding out.

In the meantime, here's all you need to know about the Strictly Come Dancing class of 2022, including what time the final will air on BBC One.

What time is the Strictly Come Dancing final on tonight?

Ellie-Taylor-Strictly — Ellie Taylor on Strictly Come Dancing 2022.

The Strictly Come Dancing final will air on BBC One on Saturday 17th December at 7:05pm.

And it's an extra-long show this weekend at two hours and 30 minutes long, as the contestants perform not one, but three dances.

At the end of the episode, the show's hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly will reveal the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 winner.

Strictly Come Dancing usually airs on BBC One on both Saturday and Sunday evenings.

Season 20 returned with a launch show on Friday 23rd September. It was followed by the first live show on Saturday 24th September.

Best gifts to buy Strictly Come Dancing fans this Christmas

What time is the Strictly results show?

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 judges Anton du Beke, Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse and Craig Revel Horwood — Strictly Come Dancing 2022 judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke. BBC/Guy Levy

The Strictly Come Dancing results show usually airs on Sunday evenings on BBC One.

As it's the final tonight, there'll be no results show. The winner will be revealed during the extended final.

What channel is Strictly Come Dancing on?

Strictly Come Dancing airs on BBC One.

Episodes are also available to stream live or via catch up on BBC iPlayer.

When is the Strictly Come Dancing 2022 final?

The Strictly Come Dancing final will take place on BBC One on Saturday 17th December at 7:05pm.

It will see the final four contestants performing for one last chance to impress the judges. At the end of the episode the 2022 champion will be announced.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 line-up

Will Mellor and Kym Marsh have been confirmed for the 2022 Strictly line-up. — Will Mellor and Kym Marsh were the first celebrities confirmed for the 2022 Strictly line-up. BBC

The class of Strictly 2022 is officially complete, with 15 stars donning their dancing shoes and head to Elstree.

Actor Will Mellor and former Corrie star Kym Marsh were the first two celebs to be announced and Countryfile presenter Helen Skelton later rounded out the line-up.

Here's the full list of celebrities excited to get the Strictly treatment this year:

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 finalists:

Former Strictly 2022 contestants:

Will Mellor - Eliminated in Week 12
Kym Marsh - Eliminated in week 11
Richie Anderson - Eliminated in Week 3
Kaye Adams - Eliminated in Week 2
Jayde Adams - Eliminated in Week 5
Ellie Simmonds - Eliminated in Week 7
Tyler West - Eliminated in Week 9
Matt Goss - Eliminated in Week 4
Ellie Taylor - Eliminated in Week 10
Tony Adams - Withdrew in Week 8
James Bye - Eliminated in Week 6

The 2021 line-up included 15 celebrities from various industries, such as presenter AJ Odudu, EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis, and BBC Breakfast host Dan Walker.

Former Bake Off star John Whaite was part of the show's first male same-sex pairing. The year before, boxer Nicola Adams was announced as part of the show's first ever same-sex pairing with Katya Jones.

Who are the professionals returning for Strictly 2022?

Strictly Come Dancing's new professionals for 2022 BBC

The 20th series will see one of the biggest professional line-ups for Strictly, with four new dancers added for the 20th season.

Last year, Anton Du Beke stepped down as a professional dancer to join the judging panel, where he took over from Bruno Tonioli, and Janette Manrara left the series to start her new role as the presenter of It Takes Two, which was previously hosted by Zoe Ball.

The 19th season saw four new professionals join the show - Kai Widdrington, Cameron Lombard, Jowita Przystal and Nikita Kuzmin, putting the total of pro dancers at 18.

You can see a full list of pros below, including the seas0n 20 newbies.:

For more information on the Strictly Come Dancing professionals, click here.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 couples

Here are all the Strictly couples for 2022:

Ellie Simmonds and Nikita Kuzmim
Tyler West and Dianne Buswell
Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima
Will Mellor and Nancy Xu
Helen Skelton and Gorka Márquez
James Bye and Amy Dowden
Fleur East and Vito Coppola
Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal
Matt Goss and Nadia Bychkova
Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe
Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu
Richie Anderson and Giovanni Pernice
Jayde Adams and Karen Hauer
Tony Adams and Katya Jones
Kaye Adams and Kai Widdrington

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 hosts

Strictly Come Dancing hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly BBC

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman have co-hosted the series since 2014. The pair are expected to reprise their role on the 20th series.

Strictly Come Dancing 2022 judges

There have been some changes to the judging panel in the last two series due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Bruno Tonioli was expected to return to the panel for season 18, but due to travel restrictions was unable to fly over from the US, where he lives and works on Dancing with the Stars.

He appeared virtually in a few episodes, but was permanently replaced by former pro Anton Du Beke in 2021.

Earlier this year, Bruno Tonioli confirmed that he was leaving the UK series, with Anton stepping in to replace him permanently.

That means this year's competition will be judged by Motsi Mabuse, Craig Revel Horwood, head judge Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke.

Where is Strictly Come Dancing filmed?

The Strictly Come Dancing filming location has remained the same since 2013. The show has taken place in Elstree Studios, following the closure of the BBC Television Centre.

Various Strictly Come Dancing COVID changes were put in place in 2020 to ensure Strictly could go ahead at Elstree.

Did Blackpool Week return for 2022?

There's one week viewers really look forward to on Strictly – Blackpool! And fans were happy to hear that it was back for season 20. Last month, Strictly Come Dancing confirmed Blackpool and a new themed week.

Strictly Come Dancing cancelled Blackpool Week for 2020 due to coronavirus restrictions, and it was cancelled for a second time in 2021.

The themed week is when the cast and crew pack their bags and head north to the seaside town for a glitter-filled special.

This year, fans will also see the return of a few classic Strictly themes, including Movie Week, Halloween Week and Musicals Week, as well as a "new special BBC 100 themed week".

The Strictly Come Dancing final airs on Saturday 17th December at 7:05pm on BBC One.

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