Strictly Come Dancing has now revealed a first look at the judging panel as the hit BBC show prepares for its return on September 14.
Judge Craig Revel Horwood, 59, showed off a new look as he sat next to his fellow judges Motsi Mabuse, 43, Shirley Ballas, 64, and Anton Du Beke, 58.
The dancer and choreographer, who has been with the BBC show since its inception in 2004, looked worlds away from his usual self as he debuted some new facial hair.
Sporting a thick black beard, Craig cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo and beamed as he held up a score of 10.
Meanwhile, Motsi exuded glamour in a white cut-out blazer which boasted structured shoulder pads and a V-neckline.
Strictly Come Dancing has now revealed a first look at the judging panel as the hit BBC show prepares for its return on September 14 (L-R Craig Revel Horwood, 59, Motsi Mabuse, 43, Shirley Ballas, 64, and Anton Du Beke, 58)
However, judge Craig Revel Horwood was almost unrecognisable as he debuted some new facial hair and cut a dapper figure in a black tuxedo
The dancer and choreographer, who has been with the BBC show since its inception in 2004, looked worlds away from his usual self (pictured with Len Goodman in 2011)
Judge Shirley will also be making her comeback to the panel and the ballroom dancer looked nothing short of sensational in a frilly red number.
Meanwhile, fan favourite Anton cut a dapper figure in a black-and-white tuxedo as he proudly held up the number 10.
The First Look snap comes after Craig said he believes the show can ‘rise above’ the allegations of bullying when the 20th series kicks off.
The current scandal has seen numerous allegations of misbehaviour and forced professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice to exit the long-running Saturday night programme.
Following the scandal, the BBC have now put a new set of guidelines in place for the show in the hope to save it from being axed.
But judge Craig has now told Woman’s Weekly that he always looks forward to the series and he has ‘become part of the furniture’.
He said: ‘I think the show can rise above what has happened, I really do. It has a certain verve and people would be so sad if this was to mean the show didn’t continue. I always look forward to a new series. I’ve become part of the furniture in a way.’
It comes after BBC bosses slashed the Strictly budget for the upcoming 20th series amid a series of scandals which could lead to payouts for former stars.
The First Look snap comes after Craig said he believes the show can ‘rise above’ the allegations of bullying when the 20th series kicks off (L-R Craig, Shirley, and Bruno Tonioli)
The current scandal has seen numerous allegations of misbehaviour and forced professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice (pictured) to exit the long-running Saturday night programme
The casting budget on the flagship show was cut in the wake of the Strictly bullying scandal, according to Corporation sources.
Instead, funding has been diverted to increased welfare measures on the dance show.
There are concerns among bosses of further financial strain as former stars line up to make claims for being mistreated during their time on the show.
A source said: ‘Money had to be found to pay for chaperones and welfare producers, and we still don’t know how much all these allegations are going to cost the show. It is not going to be cheap. A decision was made to make cuts to the cast.’
The reduced casting budget was noticeable with scores of Strictly fans underwhelmed when this year’s celebrity lineup was unveiled earlier this month.
Audiences were left scratching their heads as they struggled to recognise little-known TV doctor Punam Krishnan and former Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri.
The source said that the only contestants on big money among this year’s cast are DIY SOS presenter Nick Knowles and football pundit Paul Merson.
They added: ‘The line-up is one of our cheapest ever. We know audiences are disappointed, especially given the quality of our celebrities in the last five years.’
It is a further blow for Strictly bosses who had high hopes for the 20th-anniversary series.
Working on the latest series will be a team of new production staff to chaperone the celebrity stars. They will be present in rehearsal room training at all times to monitor any signs of inappropriate behaviour.
BBC bosses were forced to take ‘decisive steps’ to improve the show’s protection for celebrities after allegations of abuse were made by contestants including actress Amanda Abbington and former reality TV star Zara McDermott.
BBC bosses were forced to take ‘decisive steps’ to improve the show’s protection for celebrities after allegations of abuse were made by contestants including actress Amanda Abbington and former reality TV star Zara McDermott (pictured)
Giovanni Pernice, Strictly’s longest-serving male pro, was accused of bullying by Abbington in rehearsals last year and a BBC investigation is still ongoing. The 33-year-old Sicilian has strongly denied any wrongdoing.
The Mail on Sunday revealed Giovanni was to be exonerated after Amanda’s accusations. BBC insiders told the newspaper there was no evidence that he had bullied her.
But the actress is said to be so determined to win her case that she is having what friends of Giovanni describe as ‘one last throw of the dice’ by telling the BBC about a short video clip he sent to her on WhatsApp.
Sources within the Corporation say it is ‘sex-related’ but in its nature was ‘very much banter’.
A source said: ‘This is literally the last thing that Amanda has got, so, of course, she will be hoping that it sticks. It’s the only thing that is in any way tangible against Giovanni.’
The report’s findings are not expected until next month.
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’
