Strictly Come Dancing spin-off show start date is finally confirmed - but it's not this weekend

The start date for Strictly Come Dancingspin-off It Takes Two has finally been announced – but it's not the same day as the new series, which kicks off tonight.

Fans will have to wait another whole week to find out the backstage gossip as a host of new celebs take to the dance floor for the first live shows, which begin next week with the results show airing on Sunday.

Hosts Fleur East and Janette Manrara are back co-hosting the show – known as Strictly's 'bit on the side' – which viewers will be able to watch from 6.30pm on Monday September 29 over on BBC 2 or on BBC iPlayer.

As well as what's been going down backstage amongst the professional dancers and celebs, the show gives Strictly fans behind-the-scenes access and exclusive interviews with the stars, including the eliminated contestants.

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When it comes to the main show, hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are back on presenting duties, while Shirley Ballas, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Craig Revel Horwood will all return to the judging panel.

And tonight's big launch show will reveal which celebs are taking part – and which pro dancers they will be paired with for this year's highly-anticipated series.

Though it won't be live – those shows will start next Saturday, September 27 – 15 new couples will take to the Strictly ballroom for the first time in a group number, followed by a special performance by singer Jessie J.

And if you haven't seen this year's line-up yet, here it is in full.

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Big names taking part in this year's Strictly series include Dani Dyer, 29, who has previously won Love Island and appeared on TV shows and podcasts alongside her famous dad, acting legend Danny Dyer. The mum-of-three recently married West Ham captain and England footballer Jarrod Bowen.

Another big name in TV and radio is Vicky Pattison, 37, formerly of Geordie Shore fame, who revealed her car was 'pushed off the M25' by a lorry hours on her way home from Strictly dance rehearsals. Luckily, she wasn't hurt but urged fans to 'wear your seatbelts kids.'

Good Morning Britain and Lorraine star Ross King, 63, best known for being the show's Los Angeles Correspondent, will also be taking to the dance floor this year, as will Neighbours legend Stefan Dennis, 66, who played Paul Robinson on the now-cancelled Australian show.

EastEnders star Balvinder Sopal, 46, best known for playing Suki Panesar-Unwin in the BBC soap will compete, alongside actress Alex Kingston, 62, who is known for her roles on shows like Doctor Who and medical drama ER.

Sports stars taking part are rugby ace Chris Robshaw, 39, retired footballer Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, former Lioness footballer turned pundit Karen Carney, 38, and Gladiators star Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 37, who is known as Nitro on the show.

YouTuber and podcaster George Clarke, 25, has also been signed up, as has this year's most controversial contestant so far - former The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, 34, who has hit the headlines this week after admitting he cheated on his wife just weeks after their wedding in 2022.

Contestants making history this year are RuPaul's Drag Race UKlegendLa Voix, 45, who is the first drag queen to take part in the show and 23-year-old Ellie Goldstein, the first person with Down's Syndrome to appear on Strictly. The model has previously appeared on the cover of British Vogue.

*Watch Strictly's It Takes Two on Monday September 29 from 6:30pm on BBC2

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