Is BBC Strictly Come Dancing launch show live tonight?

Strictly Come Dancing has returned with our weekends not expected to be the same in the run-up to Christmas. A host of new celebrities will compete over the coming months in a bid to get their hands on the Glitterball Trophy.

The Strictly journey will officially begin when the launch show airs on Saturday, September 14 at 7.20pm on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.

The show will see this year's 15 celebrities paired with their professional dance partners for the first time while the dancers perform an "empowering" routine to celebrate Amy Dowden’s return.

READ MORE: Strictly Come Dancing 2024 launch: Date, start time and full celebrity line-up

The Strictly professional had to miss the 2023 series as she underwent treatment having been diagnosed with breast cancer last year.

However, if you are watching at home you may be wondering if the launch show is live. It is actually pre-recorded and was filmed on September 4 in the show's usual studio at Elstree, North London.

From next week, Saturday, September 21, the live shows will start and it will be when the competition really begins as the new couples perform for the judges' verdict and viewers' votes. The first Sunday elimination show, which is filmed the previous not, is expected to air from September 29.

The 15 celebrities taking part this year is Olympic medalist and TV presenter Sam Quek, former footballer Paul Merson, TV presenter Nick Knowles, Gladiator Montell Douglas, Olympic swimmer Tom Dean, Eastenders actor Jamie Borthwick, Miranda actress Sarah Hadland, singer and actor Shayne Ward, TV personality and podcast host Pete Wicks, model and Love Island star Tasha Ghouri, BBC Morning Live's Dr Punam Krishan, singer Toyah Willcox, opera singer Wynne Evans, JLS star JB