Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly's clever trick to 'work out winner' as show returns

Sparkles, samba and scandal mean one thing… Strictly Come Dancing is back! The BBC dance show returns for its 21st series tomorrow with a host of new celebrities vying for the coveted glitter ball. Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will front the launch show tomorrow, and judges Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke will be casting their expert eye upon the crop.

Fans will discover which much-loved pro the celebrities will be partnered with - and Tess reveals she’s mastered how to pick out early favourites. “From that moment, I’ve learnt to spot who has the potential to make it all the way through the competition,” she boasts.

It’s not just the celebs who will be wracked with nerves for their first foray on to the Strictly dancefloor. Claudia admits she still gets anxious before each show. “I must eat crisps and I always squeeze Tess before we go live,” explained Claudia. “I get very, very nervous. She’s the kindest and the greatest human anyone could wish to work with. I’m so so lucky to do it with her.”

And Tess agrees. “Claude and I have worked together for so many years now that we have watched each other’s children grow into young adults,” she said. “Working with her is an absolute joy. What has she taught me? That I should never wear mascara to our script meetings because she has me laughing so much I end up crying it all off.”

Waltzing onto our screens this year are Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, 62, Geordie Shore star Vicky Pattison, 37, model Ellie Goldstein, 23, Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 37, and EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal, 46. YouTuber George Clarke, 25, drag queen La Voix, 45, rugby ace Chris Robshaw, 39, and The Apprentice's Tom Skinner, 34, are also taking part.

The line-up is completed by Neighbours favourite Stefan Dennis, 66, Lioness Karen Carney, 38, ex-Emmerdale actor Lewis Cope, 30, footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, reality star Dani Dyer, 29, and TV host Ross King, 63.

They’ve got their job cut out to top last year’s winners, Chris McCausland, 48, and Dianne Buswell, 36. Comedian Chris made history as the first blind person to win the show. The pair will reunite for a special performance of their BAFTA TV Award-winning waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone.

The judges all agreed it was a standout moment in the show’s history. Speaking ahead of tomorrow’s show, they looked back on the highlight of the last series. Motsi, 44, said: “It gave us goosebumps. It was just incredible. The emotion, the connection, the way the story came across – that’s what Strictly is all about. It was one of those performances that stays with you long after the music stops.”

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Shirley, 65, added: “Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell’s Waltz to You’ll Never Walk Alone will forever be etched in my heart. I often take myself back to that moment, seeing Chris Waltz. That partnership was something else and Dianne’s teaching throughout the series was simply phenomenal.”

Strictly has been dogged with scandal over recent years. Whilst casting a shadow, the show has gone on. Last month it was revealed the BBC and Metropolitan Police were investigating alleged cocaine use by two stars of the show. Wynne Evans was dropped from the Strictly tour after he made a sexualised remark and is reported to be considering taking the Beeb to tribunal over it.

In 2024 a row erupted after actress Amanda Abbingdon accused partner Giovanni Pernice of bullying her. A BBC investigation upheld complaints of verbal bullying and harassment but cleared Pernice of more serious allegations of physical abuse. Giovanni was axed from the show. From the same series, Graziano Di Prima left the show after footage of him kicking partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals emerged. One of this year’s crop has already found himself in a spot of bother. Tom Skinner last week coughed to cheating on his partner and mother of his three children.

Brushing off the drama, the judges said the show is as loved as ever. Anton, 59, said: “We have faithful audiences, who love to see who the new lineup is; love to see who’s getting partnered with whom; and love to see people’s journeys.

“The thing I find is, in the UK, people just love people, and they love watching people. That’s why soap operas and continuing dramas have been so popular through the decades. Strictly is much the same, the public feel they can invest in the show by voting and keeping their favourites in, that’s the most important part for me. The audience's involvement.”

Motsi agreed: “It’s the magic combination of heart and sparkle. Strictly isn’t just about dancing – it’s about stories, growth, vulnerability and celebration. People see celebrities transform, they laugh, they cry, they feel inspired. And of course, the music, costumes and the incredible pros make it irresistible.”

Strictly Come Dancing returns tomorrow at 6:40pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

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