The BBC has confirmed that the launch of the 2024 season of Strictly Come Dancing will air on Saturday, September 14, at 7:20 PM on BBC One and BBC iPlayer. This year marks the show's 20th anniversary, featuring a lineup of celebrity contestants including Olympian Sam Quek, singer Shayne Ward, and comedian Chris McCausland, among others. The first live show will follow on September 21, and ticket applications are already open for fans wishing to attend the live recordings. Additionally, a special routine celebrating dancer Amy Dowden's return after her battle with breast cancer is planned for the launch show. However, some fans have expressed disappointment over the celebrity lineup, citing it as underwhelming compared to previous years, and this year will notably lack same-sex couples. Despite controversies surrounding the show, including the removal of certain dancers from the lineup, excitement remains high for the upcoming series.