Strictly Come Dancing: the launch show – live

It will be intriguing go see how events of recent months affect the show. New welfare measures have been introduced, including welfare producers for both the celebrities and pros. A member of the production team will be present at all times in the training rooms.

There has been speculation that the scandals might have affected the show’s casting process. The new series has the lowest percentage of female celebrities in Strictly’s 20-year history, with just six women out of 15.

To replace the departing pro pair, it was announced in July that Aljaž Škorjanec would be returning after a two-year hiatus. He’s a fan favourite and family man who is seen as a safe pair of hands.

What other differences might be made by this tumultuous period? BBC director general Tim Davie has said the show should be more fun and less competitive.

Will the ballroom curtain now be pulled back to embrace any drama, reveal the truth behind the feelgood platitudes and be open about exactly how hard the Strictly process can be? Will chaperones disrupt the dynamic and rapport between the couples? Will the controversy be explicitly mentioned on-air in tonight’s show? Has the glitterball lost its shine? I guess we’ll get our first clues shortly.

It’s been an annus horribilis so far for the BBC’s flagship entertaining franchise. The controversy was kickstarted by actress Amanda Abbington, who departed the last series early amid rumours of clashes with her professional partner Giovanni Pernice – a former glitterball winner, four-time finalist and one of the top pros. Early this year, Abbington made a complaint that she’d been subjected to “inappropriate, mean, nasty bullying” and had suffered mild PTSD as a result.

In June, it was confirmed that after “numerous serious complaints” regarding his teaching methods, thought to include testimony from some of his previous dance partners, Pernice would not be returning to the show. Pernice denied “any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour”. A BBC investigation is still ongoing. Since her complaint was made public, police have looked into death threats allegedly made against Abbington and her family.

Later that month, despite initially being confirmed for this series, it was announced that Pernice’s fellow Italian pro Graziano Di Prima wouldn’t be returning either, following allegations of misconduct towards his own 2023 partner, Love Islander Zara McDermott. Di Prima said he “deeply regretted his actions that led to his departure”, which included kicking McDermott in training. He reportedly ended up “under medical supervision and had “ugly thoughts” about suicide.

As the crisis deepened and vultures began to circle, further stories swirled about pros’ teaching methods and behind-the-scenes behaviour, some going back years. Ex-contestant Rev Richard Coles said “no one was surprised” in an “intensely competitive show with a dark heart”.

Accusations of bullying and abuse hit Strictly particularly hard, since they undermine its inclusive, supportive, wholesome, family-friendly image. The fallout even led to speculation that the series might be taken off-air this year. However, the show must go on and we’re back in the ballroom tonight.

You can read more about it all in our articles here and here.

…And almost as importantly, our first sequin-spangled liveblog of the year. Good evening all and welcome to the 22nd series of Strictly Come Dancing. I’m Michael, your virtual dance partner in Strictly’s landmark 20th year. I hope you’ll join me for a celebratory autumn of twinkle-toed communal viewing.

Tonight’s pre-recorded launch show sees our 15 intrepid new celebrities paired up with their professional partners. This is followed by our first chance to check out their hoofing potential as everyone hits the fabled Elstree Studios floor for the traditional curtain-raising group number. It promises to be the usual chaotic cocktail of dad-dancing, disco moves and mugging for the camera.

You don’t need me to remind you that this is a momentous series for the BBC’s ballroom behemoth. So far its 20th anniversary has been overshadowed by a string of scandals that left the show in crisis – and even, for a while back there, its future in doubt. More on that shortly. Tonight is our first chance to see if the choreographic contest can keep its all-important sparkle.

It’s showtime at 7.20pm on BBC One. I’ll be liveblogging from 6.45pm, providing build-up, rolling coverage, analysis, reaction and affectionate snark. So dig your dancing shoes out of deep storage and see you on the sofa. Strictly season is upon us again. Before we know it, it’ll be Christmas.

I’d love to hear from you, too. You can tweet me @michaelhogan, email me michael.hogan.freelance@guardian.co.uk and the comments section below is open for cha-cha-chat. I’ll rumba-walk down there every now and again to say hi and gauge your reaction to the show, so please share your thoughts.

Are we ready to set the glitterball spinning again? Nearly time to staaaaaart pro-celebrity pairing!