Strictly Come Dancing

Image: Series 1 winner Natasha Kaplinsky with her professional dancing partner Brendan Cole.

Strictly Come Dancing took the ballroom competition from the BBC's long running Come Dancing and - encouraged by the success of the film Strictly Ballroom – brought it up to date with added celebrities, showbiz fun and glamour. The result, which debuted on 15 May 2004, was perfect Saturday night entertainment.The show was presented by Tess Daly and primetime legend Bruce Forsyth.

There were eight contestants in the first series, with Natasha Kaplinsky the eventual winner. As the show grew in popularity, so did the number of contestants. In 2018 there were 15. However there have always been four regular judges. At the start they were Len Goodman, Arlene Phillips, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli. Over the years many of the professional dancers have become stars in their own right, with their lives as likely to make the news as their partners.

Strictly Come Dancing has been a phenomenal success and as Dancing with the Stars the pro-celebrity Strictly format has spread to over 50 countries. In the UK the Strictly effect saw renewed interest in ballroom dancing classes and a whole spate of dance programmes on television. On the BBC each series of Strictly is supported by companion programme It Takes Two, which looks behind the scenes. The spectacular Strictly Live tour takes the judges, pros and celebrities to arenas around the country.