STRICTLY is set to have a “switch-up week” which will see celebrities swap their usual dance partner for another pro.
The special episode will be for one week only on the BBC series, which starts next month.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to have a ‘switch-up week’ that will see celebrities swap their usual dance partner for another pro[/caption]
Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova at show practice[/caption]
Nikita Kuzmin on his way to rehearsals[/caption]
Ireland’s Dancing With The Stars introduced fans voting for switch-ups in 2019 after seeing its success in America.
Viewers voted by logging on to the website and selecting one celebrity and pairing them with a professional dancer of their choice.
Strictly professional dancer Kai Widdrington, 30, experienced the swap himself while on the Irish version in 2020.
It saw him paired with telly presenter Brian Dowling, 47, for a week.
A source told The Sun on Sunday: “A switch-up week is a great way to spice up Strictly Come Dancing.
“Fans will be able to vote for which celebrity they want to see dance with their favourite professional dancer.”
But they added: “It could also ruffle some feathers as the celebrities may have amazing chemistry with their current partner.
“Even just switching for one week could disrupt their flow.”
The dance series will kick off on Saturday, September 20, with the usual pre-recorded launch show as celebs are paired with pros.
Pro Katya Jones makes her way to practice[/caption]
Dancer Amy Dowden smiles for the cameras as she makes her way inside[/caption]
Judge Shirley Ballas points to the cameras on arrival at practice[/caption]
Alijaz Skorjanec was snapped in baggy brown trousers and a white shirt[/caption]
Judge Anton Du Beke ahead of the new series[/caption]
Craig’s all bubbly for return of show
By Emily Webber
STRICTLY Come Dancing judge Craig Revel Horwood has toasted the show’s impending return with a glass of bubbly.
The choreographer, 60, posed with a glass of champagne on a boat in the Port d’Andratx in Majorca on Friday.
Posting the snap online, he wrote: “Is everyone ready for the imminent arrival of the BBC Strictly class of 2025?
“Here’s to the calm before the sequin storm. Best of luck to all of our incoming celebrities.
“Thanks to the fabulous Krug Champagne purely for existing. Topping up the old vitamin sea to avoid the spray tan booth this winter.”
Meanwhile, model Ellie Goldstein, 23, could be hoping her Strictly experience leads to romance.
She previously opened up about her love life in her book — Against All Odds — which was published in 2023.
She wrote: “People who know me aren’t at all surprised to know that I date. Mum calls me a man-eater!
“But it’s also fun to be free and single. I’m going to wait until I meet someone really special to date next time.”
Ellie is the first contestant with Down syndrome to take part in a full Strictly series, after CBeebies host George Webster performed in the 2022 Christmas special.