Strictly Come Dancing: Here's all you need to know about the 2022 lineup

A brief history

Strictly Come Dancing has been a staple on British Television ever since it started airing on BBC One in 2004. The dance contest show involves the pairing of celebrities with professional dancers as they compete against each other.

The goal of the show is to allow contestants who are paired with professionals an opportunity to explore beyond their comfort zone, which ultimately makes for good television.

The popularity of Strictly grew to such a degree that the Guinness World Records declared it the most successful reality television format, reports The Telegraph. BBC Studios has reportedly sold the rights to broadcast the show in over 60 countries around the world.

What is behind the name?

The name of the dance competition is a combination of two very important elements of dance in the UK. The Sun reports that Come Dancing was a show on the BBC that ran from 1949 to 1998, and Strictly comes from the 1992 film Strictly Ballroom. The combination of both these elements gave way to the highly popular dance show.

The 20th Strictly Come Dancing competition certainly looks to be fierce and diverse, with stand-up comedians, pop artists, television presenters, daytime TV actors, etc., all coming together to battle it out on the dance floor.

Read more:

⋙ Strictly Come Dancing: Oti quits after 7 years, here’s Craig’s surprising response

⋙ Strictly Come Dancing: Laila Rouass spills the truth about 'nightmarish experience' on the show

⋙ Oti Mabuse speaks out about Strictly future