Strictly Come Dancing returned for its twenty-second series with a launch show on 14 September 2024 on BBC One, with the live shows beginning on 21 September. A special episode to commemorate the programme's twentieth anniversary was also confirmed. Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned as hosts, whilst Janette Manrara and Fleur East returned to host Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two. Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas and Anton Du Beke returned to the judging panel for their 22nd, 6th, 8th, and 4th series respectively.
Comedian Chris McCausland and his partner Dianne Buswell were announced as the winners on 14 December, while Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola, JB Gill and Lauren Oakley, and Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec were the runners-up.
Format
The couples dance each week in a live show. The judges score each performance out of ten. After all the couples have danced they are then ranked according to the judges' scores and given points according to their rank, with the highest ranked couple receiving a number of points equal to the number of couples dancing that week e.g. 7 points where there are seven couples dancing. When there are no tied scores the lowest scored couple will receive one point. However in the event of a tie where two or more couples obtain the same judges score, the couple below those in the tie will be awarded one point below the points awarded to each of the tied couples. So, for example, if two couples obtain the same rank and obtain 7 points each, the couple immediately below them will be awarded 6 points. When couples are ranked equally by the judges the scoring of all other couples underneath will follow in the same descending order. Should there be any tied scores the lowest scored couple will therefore receive more than one point from the judges scores. The public are also invited to vote for their favourite couples, and the couples are ranked again according to the number of votes they receive, again receiving points; The couple with the most votes receiving the most points. Again in the unlikely event of a tie in the public vote the points are awarded in the same way as the points from the judges score.
The points for judges' score and public vote are then added together, and the two couples with the fewest points are placed in the bottom two. If two couples have equal points, the points from the public vote are given precedence.
As with the previous series, the bottom two couples have to perform a dance-off on the results show. Based on that performance alone, each judge then votes on which couple should stay and which couple should leave, with Shirley Ballas, as head judge, having the last and deciding vote, if needed.
Professional dancers In June 2024, the BBC announced that Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Vito Coppola, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Carlos Gu, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Gorka Márquez, Luba Mushtuk, Lauren Oakley, Jowita Przystał, Johannes Radebe, Michelle Tsiakkas, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu would be returning to the series. It was confirmed that Giovanni Pernice would not be returning to the show, following misconduct allegations regarding his dance teaching methods. Pernice, however, denied "any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour".
In July 2024, it was announced that Aljaž Škorjanec would be returning as a professional after a two-year hiatus, following his departure in March 2022, having last appeared in the nineteenth series. Later that same month, despite initially being confirmed to return for the series, it was subsequently announced that Graziano Di Prima would not be returning to the show, following allegations of misconduct against him towards Zara McDermott, his partner from the previous series. In a statement, Di Prima said that he "deeply regretted" the events that led to his departure from the show.
During the launch show, Michelle Tsiakkas received a celebrity partner for the first time, while Carlos Gu, Lauren Oakley and Kai Widdrington did not receive a partner. The rest of the pros were paired to a celebrity, including Neil Jones, who did not have a celebrity partner for the last two series.
On 4 November 2024, it was announced that due to a foot injury, Amy Dowden would no longer compete in the series. Oakley took over from Dowden as JB Gill's professional partner.
Couples On 1 August 2024, prior to the official BBC announcements, Tom Dean confirmed himself as the first participant in the series, during an interview at the 2024 Summer Olympics after competing in the 4 × 200 metre freestyle relay. The official announcements began on 5 August, with Chris McCausland and JB Gill announced, the former becoming the first blind contestant to appear on the show. Celebrity contestants continued to be revealed until 12 August 2024, when the full line-up was announced. Celebrity Notability Professional partner Status Tom Dean Olympic swimmer Nadiya BychkovaEliminated 1st Toyah Willcox Singer, actress & television presenter Neil JonesEliminated 2ndon 6 October 2024 Nick Knowles Television presenter Luba MushtukEliminated 3rdon 13 October 2024 Paul Merson England footballer & pundit Karen HauerEliminated 4thon 20 October 2024 Morning Live doctor & author Gorka MárquezEliminated 5thon 27 October 2024 Sam Quek Nikita KuzminEliminated 6thon 3 November 2024 Shayne Ward Singer & actor Nancy XuEliminated 7thon 10 November 2024 Wynne Evans Opera singer & BBC Radio Wales presenter Katya JonesEliminated 8thon 17 November 2024 Jamie Borthwick EastEnders actor Michelle TsiakkasEliminated 9thon 24 November 2024 Montell Douglas Olympic sprinter, bobsledder & Gladiators star Eliminated 10thon 1 December 2024 Pete Wicks Television personality Jowita PrzystałEliminated 11thon 8 December 2024 JB Gill JLS singer & television presenter Amy Dowden (Weeks 1–6)Lauren Oakley (Weeks 7–13)Runners-upon 14 December 2024 Sarah Hadland Stage & screen actress Vito Coppola Tasha Ghouri Love Island finalist & model Aljaž Škorjanec Chris McCausland Stand-up comedian & actor Dianne BuswellWinnerson 14 December 2024
Scoring chart The highest score each week is indicated in with a dagger (), while the lowest score each week is indicated in with a double-dagger ().
Color key:
+Strictly Come Dancing series 22 – Weekly scores Couple Week 1 2 1+2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 Chris & Dianne 1st 23 29 52 30 30 35 29 33 37 33+1=34 32 33+36=6938+38+40= JB & Amy/Lauren2nd 27 58 32 30 30 32 35 39+7= 39+40= 40+39+40= Sarah & Vito 30 32 62 33 27 32 37 33 36+4=40 38 36+36=7239+39+40=118 Tasha & Aljaž 30 34 37 40+6= 38 35+40=7539+40+40= Pete & Jowita 5th 17 22 39 26 29 22 31 36 29+3= 32+33= Montell & Johannes 6th 26 30 56 28 33 35 35 36 35 37+5=42 32 Jamie & Michelle 7th 23 27 50 30 34 31 33 32+2=34 Wynne & Katya 8th 26 30 56 30 34 33 31 30 32 31 Shayne & Nancy 9th 21 31 52 33 30 31 31 35 Sam & Nikita 10th 23 22 45 30 28 26 31 29 Dr. Punam & Gorka 11th 19 18 37 33 21 Paul & Karen 12th 17 32 19 23 Nick & Luba 13th 18 21 39 21 Toyah & Neil 14th 18 Tom & Nadiya 15th 23 20 43
Average chart
Additional points received for the Samba-thon in Week 10 are not included in this chart.
Couple Rank byaverage Totalpoints Number ofdances Totalaverage Tasha & Aljaž 1st 596 16 37.3 JB & Amy/Lauren 2nd 569 35.6 Sarah & Vito 3rd 565 35.3 Montell & Johannes 4th 366 11 33.3 Chris & Dianne 5th 522 16 32.6 Jamie & Michelle 6th 317 10 31.7 Wynne & Katya 7th 277 9 30.8 Shayne & Nancy 8th 242 8 30.3 Pete & Jowita 9th 352 13 27.1 Sam & Nikita 10th 189 7 27.0 Dr. Punam & Gorka 11th 137 6 22.8 Tom & Nadiya 12th 43 2 21.5 Nick & Luba 13th 60 3 20.0 Paul & Karen 14th 93 5 18.6 Toyah & Neil 15th 45 3 15.0
Weekly scores Unless indicated otherwise, individual judges scores in the charts below (given in parentheses) are listed in this order from left to right: Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke.
Launch show Musical guests: Clean Bandit & Anne-Marie — "Cry Baby"
Week 1 There was no elimination this week; all scores carried over to the following week. Couples are listed in the order they performed. CoupleScoresDanceMusicNick & Luba Jive "We Built This City" — StarshipSam & Nikita Foxtrot "Where Did Our Love Go" — The SupremesShayne & NancySamba "Do I Do" — Stevie WonderToyah & NeilTango "Ray of Light" — MadonnaTasha & Aljaž Cha-cha-cha "Espresso" — Sabrina CarpenterJB & AmyWaltz "When I Need You" — Leo SayerPete & Jowita Paso doble "Breathe" — The ProdigySarah & Vito Quickstep "9 to 5" — Dolly PartonTom & NadiyaTango "Golden" — Harry StylesDr. Punam & Gorka Cha-cha-cha "Love at First Sight" — Kylie MinoguePaul & Karen American Smooth "Vindaloo" — Fat LesJamie & Michelle Viennese waltz "Beautiful Things" — Benson BooneChris & Dianne Cha-cha-cha "Twist and Shout" — The BeatlesMontell & Johannes Foxtrot "Is You Is or Is You Ain't My Baby" — Dinah Washington Wynne & Katya Samba "Help Yourself" — Tom Jones
Week 2 Musical guests: Ezra Collective & Yazmin Lacey — "God Gave Me Feet for Dancing"
Couples are listed in the order they performed. Couple Scores Dance Music ResultTom & Nadiya Cha-cha-cha "Boogie Wonderland" — Earth, Wind & Fire EliminatedDr. Punam & Gorka Foxtrot "Man! I Feel Like a Woman!" — Shania Twain SafePaul & Karen Salsa "Fireball" — Pitbull feat. John Ryan SafeWynne & Katya Viennese waltz "The Blue Danube" — Johann Strauss II SafeJB & Amy Cha-cha-cha "Closer" — Ne-Yo SafeSam & Nikita Charleston "The Charleston" — Bob Wilson & His Varsity Rhythm Boys SafeChris & Dianne Foxtrot "Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy" — The Tams SafeJamie & Michelle Rumba "Ain't No Sunshine" — Bill Withers Safe Toyah & Neil Jive "Nutbush City Limits" — Ike & Tina Turner Bottom twoNick & Luba American Smooth "Parklife" — Blur SafeMontell & Johannes Samba "Fuego" — Eleni Foureira SafeTasha & Aljaž Viennese waltz "Misty Blue" — Dorothy Moore SafeShayne & Nancy Tango "The Door" — Teddy Swims SafePete & Jowita American Smooth "I Had Some Help" — Post Malone & Morgan Wallen SafeSarah & Vito Paso doble "Freed from Desire" — Gala Safe Judges' votes to save Horwood: Toyah & Neil Mabuse: Toyah & Neil Du Beke: Tom & Nadiya Ballas: Toyah & Neil
Week 3: Movie Week Musical guests: Alexis Ffrench — "The Heart Asks Pleasure First" (from The Piano)
Couples are listed in the order they performed.
Nick and Luba announced that they would be unable to perform on the live show after Nick sustained a knee injury. Under the rules of the show, they were granted a bye to the following week. Couple Scores Dance Music Film Result Montell & Johannes 28 (7, 7, 7, 7) Tango "One Night Only" Dreamgirls Safe Toyah & Neil 15 (3, 4, 4, 4) Samba "Poor Unfortunate Souls" The Little Mermaid Eliminated Chris & Dianne 30 (7, 7, 8, 8) Jive "Wayne's World Theme" Wayne's World Safe Tasha & Aljaž 34 (8, 8, 9, 9) Rumba "What Was I Made For?" Barbie Safe Paul & Karen 19 (3, 5, 5, 6) Cha-cha-cha "The Magnificent Seven" The Magnificent Seven Bottom two Sarah & Vito 33 (8, 9, 8, 8) Viennese waltz "Hedwig's Theme" Harry Potter Safe Pete & Jowita 26 (6, 6, 7, 7) Samba "George of the Jungle" George of the Jungle Safe JB & Amy 32 (7, 8, 8, 9) American Smooth "Pure Imagination" Wonka Safe Sam & Nikita 30 (7, 8, 7, 8) Paso doble "Elevation (Tomb Raider Mix)" Lara Croft: Tomb Raider Safe Shayne & Nancy 33 (8, 9, 8, 8) Viennese waltz "If I Can Dream" Elvis Safe Wynne & Katya 30 (7, 7, 8, 8) Cha-cha-cha "Papa's Got a Brand New Bag" Mrs. Doubtfire Safe Dr. Punam & Gorka 33 (8, 9, 8, 8) Couple's choice "Bole Chudiyan" Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham Safe Jamie & Michelle 30 (8, 8, 7, 7) Quickstep "I'm Still Standing" Rocketman Safe Judges' votes to save Horwood: Paul & Karen Mabuse: Paul & Karen Du Beke: Paul & Karen Ballas: Did not vote, but would have voted to save Paul & Karen
Week 4 Musical guests: Snow Patrol — "Everything's Here and Nothing's Lost"
Couples are listed in the order they performed.