Strictly Come Dancing 2022: What time does the show start?

Strictly Come Dancing returns to screens for its eighth week tonight, Saturday 12 November, as the glitz-clad celebrities take to the dance floor with their pro partners.

Week seven saw wildlife presenter Hamza Yassin top the leaderboard with his and partner Jowita Przystal’s stellar Cha Cha routine.

But it was the end of the road for swimmer Ellie Simmonds and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin, who became the sixth duo to head home fter going head-to-head with Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu in the dance-off.  

After both couples performed again, the judges voted to save Molly and Carlos, meaning Ellie and Nikita were sent home.

The 20th series of Strictly is once again hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, with Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke returning as judges.

Alongside this, the Strictly spin-off It Takes Two is back on screens during the week to ensure you get your strictly fix, hosted by Rylan Clark and former professional dancer Janette Manrara.

So, with this year’s series well underway, here’s everything you need to know about the BBC programme…

Get the glitter ready! With this year’s series well underway, here’s everything you need to know about Strictly Come Dancing’s eighth week… (the line up is pictured)

What time is Strictly on tonight and what will happen?

Strictly Come Dancing is returning to BBC One screens tonight at 6:55pm with its eighth live show, and the nine couples will take to the dance floor for their latest performances of the season in front of the judges.

And following on from last week’s public vote, the pressure is well and truly on to get their steps right as the phone lines will once again open after the show for fans to vote for their favourite routines. 

Strictly will air live every Saturday throughout the autumn, with the final typically airing on the last Saturday before Christmas.

Its spin-off show, It Takes Two, will continue to air weeknights on BBC Two – with Rylan Clark and Janette Manrara taking the helm as hosts. 

Exciting times: The couples will take to the dancefloor for their sixth performances in front of the judges, following last week’s dances to commemorate the BBC’s 100th Anniversary

When is the Results show and how does the voting work?

The results show this week starts on Sunday 13 November at 7:20pm, beginning after Countryfile. It has a shorter running time to the main show at just 40 minutes long, airing until 8pm.  

Each week Strictly Come Dancing viewers vote for their favourite couple either by phone or online, and these votes are combined with the scores given by the judging panel for their performances.

The two couples with the fewest votes then go head-to-head in the dance-off, delivering a reprisal of their performance from the live show.

The judges then decide which couple they would like to save, and in the event of a tie head judge Shirley Ballas is given the casting vote.

Judge and jury: Each week Strictly Come Dancing viewers vote for their favourite couple either by phone or online, and these votes are combined with the scores given by the judging panel for their performances (pictured last week) 

What happened in Week Seven?

Strictly Come Dancing’s seventh live show of the series hit BBC One last Saturday evening, with the remaining couples facing the sixth public vote of the series.

Topping the leaderboard was Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał, who scored an impressive 38 points out of 40 with a Cha Cha Cha to I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)’.

They were closely followed by Kym Marsh and Helen Skelton, who scored 37 out of 40 points, respectively.

The stars were lauded with a bout of positive comments from the four judges, Shirley Ballas, Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse. 

Sensational: Topping the leaderboard last week was Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystał, who scored 35 points out of 40 with their Quickstep to Imagine Dragons’ On Top Of The World

Wow! They were closely followed by Kym Marsh (pictured with Graziano Di Prima) and Helen Skelton, who scored 37 out of 40 points, respectively

Head judge Shirley gave Helen and Gorka a standing ovation and praised their phenomenal routine, while Anton Du Beke said it was her best dance yet. 

Motsi praised the ‘high level, high quality performance’ and even Craig Revel Horwood was blown away, adding: ‘This is the best I’ve seen you dance,’ as Helen was awarded her highest score yet. 

Elsewhere, cameraman Hamza blew the judges away as he performed the Quickstep to Imagine Dragons hit song On Top of the World, to honour his work on natural history documentaries and love for mother nature.

Struggling: But unfortunately, someone had to come at the bottom of the leaderboard, and this week it was Tony Adams, who scored just 21 points out of 40 for his Salsa to ‘I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho)

But unfortunately, someone had to come at the bottom of the leaderboard, and this week it was Tony Adams, who scored just 21 points out of 40 for his Salsa to ‘I Know You Want Me (Calle Ocho) 

 Who got eliminated last week?

Ellie Simmonds was the last contestant to be eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing last week, after losing out to Molly Rainford in the dance-off.

Both couples performed their routines again, with Ellie and her dance partner Nikita Kuzmin performing their Charleston to Too Darn Hot from Kiss Me Kate. 

Then Molly and her dance partner Carlos Gu performed their Foxtrot to You Make Me Happy by My Sun and My Stars in a bid to impress the judges and remain in the competition.

After both couples had danced a second time, the judges delivered their verdict, with Craig Revel Horwood choosing to save Molly and Carlos.

All over: Ellie Simmonds (right) was the sixth celebrity to depart the dance floor in Strictly Come Dancing 2022 after facing Molly Rainford in the dreaded danced-off

Thank you: The emotional star wiped away tears after crediting dance partner Nikita Kuzmin for helping ‘change her life’ 

He said: ‘Well the couple I’d like to save are a couple that I think danced better than they did on Saturday night, in this particular dance off and that couple is Molly and Carlos’ 

Motsi Mabuse agreed, adding: ‘First of all I thought that dance off was incredible. Both couples really, really just danced exceptionally well. I have decided to save Molly and Carlos.’

 Confirming the result, Anton Du Beke said: ‘Well I think both couples can take credit from dancing an absolutely terrific dance off. 

‘But, the couple I’d like to save for making the performance even better than on Saturday night are Molly and Carlos.’ 

When asked by Tess about her time on the show, Ellie said: ‘I’ve literally had the time of my life. It’s been the most incredible experience – life changing really. 

Who are the Strictly 2022 pairings?

Helen Skelton is paired with Gorka Marquez after becoming the addition to the show, while Katya Jones is partnered with footballer Tony Adams.

Katya Jones, who set tongues wagging last year when she appeared to kiss the now-single Olympic star Adam Peaty, is paired up with footballer Tony Adams.

Last year’s finalist Johannes Radebe, who had performed with Great British Bake Off star John Whaite, dances with comedian Ellie Taylor this time around. 

CBBC star Molly Rainford takes to the dancefloor with series newcomer Carlos Gu, and the pair have impressed with their moves and partnership.

Revealed! Strictly Come Dancing 2022 has seen Helen Skelton take to the floor with Gorka Marquez, after becoming a last-minute addition to the lineup

Partner goals: Katya Jones, who set tongues wagging last year when she appeared to kiss the now-single Olympic star Adam Peaty, has is paired up with footballer Tony Adams

Wow factor: Singer and DJ Fleur East has been coupled with newcomer Vito Coppola

New duo: Last year’s finalist Johannes Radebe, who had performed with Great British Bake Off star John Whaite, this year dances with comedian Ellie Taylor

Coronation Street star Kym Marsh is matched with with Graziano Di Prima, who last year took to the floor with Judi Love.

DJ Tyler West dances with Dianne Buswell, who last year withdrew from the series alongside Robert Webb due to his health concerns.  

Rounding out this year’s couples are actor Will Mellor, who is partnered with Nancy Xu, and Countryfile’s Hamza Yassin, who dances with Jowita Przystal.

Streets ahead? Coronation Street star Kym Marsh dances with Graziano Di Prima, who last year took to the floor with Judi Love

What are the Week Six songs and dances?

After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week in the Week Five performances, the 11 remaining celebrity contestants and their partners will have to learn a brand new routine for Halloween Week.

A fixture in the Strictly calendar, this week couples will pay tribute to the spooky occasion with an array of jaw-dropping routines.

Last year’s Strictly Halloween special was a memorable one for series champions Rose Ayling-Ellis and Giovanni Pernice, who earned a perfect score of 40 for their Tango to Ed Sheeran’s Shivers. 

Here’s the full list of their dances and songs as they set out to impress the judges once again.  

Songs and dances: After giving it their all on the dancefloor last week in the Week Five performances, the 11 remaining celebrity contestants and their partners will have to learn a brand new routine for Halloween Week (Ellie Taylor is pictured)

Ellie Taylor and Nikita Kuzmin: Foxtrot to Scooby Doo, Where Are You? by David Mook, Ben Raleigh

Ellie Taylor and Johannes Radebe: Couple’s Choice to I Put A Spell On You by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker & Kathy Najimy

Fleur East and Vito Coppola: Salsa to Break My Soul by Beyoncé

Helen Skelton and Gorka Marquez: Foxtrot to Lil’ Red Riding Hood by Sam The Sham & The Pharaohs

Kym Marsh and Graziano Di Prima: Rumba to Frozen by Madonna

Molly Rainford and Carlos Gu: Argentine Tango to Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God) by Kate Bush

Hamza Yassin and Jowita Przystal: Tango to Wicked Game by Chris Isaak

James Bye and Amy Dowden: Charleston to Bumble Bee by LaVern Baker

Tony Adams and Katya Jones: Quickstep to The Devil Went Down To Georgia by The Charlie Daniels Band

Tyler West and Dianne Buswell: Cha Cha Cha to Day-O (The Banana Boat Song) by Tanz Orchester Klaus Hallen

Will Mellor and Nancy Xu: Mama Told Me Not To Come by Tom Jones and Stereophonics

Who are the Strictly professional dancers?

New faces: This year’s Strictly has seen huge changes in the professional lineup, with four new dancers signing up to take part after Aljaž Škorjanec and Oti Mabuse announced they would be leaving the show earlier this year

This year’s Strictly has seen huge changes in the professional lineup, with four new dancers signing up to take part after Aljaž Škorjanec and Oti Mabuse announced they would be leaving the show earlier this year.

Four new pro dancers have joined the line-up, which means that 20 professionals in total are ready to bring their skills to the BBC show’s dancefloor this year.

The four new world class dancers completing this year’s professional troupe are European cup winner Vito Coppola, Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu, former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas.

They join the professional dancers already signed up for the series: Dianne Buswell, Nadiya Bychkova, Graziano Di Prima, Amy Dowden, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzmin, Cameron Lombard, Gorka Marquez, Luba Mushtuk, Giovanni Pernice, Jowita Przystal, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington and Nancy Xu. 

Not every pro dancer is paired with a celebrity, with four traditionally performing only in the professional group routines.

Who are the hosts of Strictly Come Dancing? 

Grand return! The new series of Strictly Come Dancing is once again hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman , who have…