Strictly Come Dancing 2025 Launches With Judge Panel Shift, New Contestants, and Memorable Performances

The 2025 series of Strictly Come Dancing kicked off with notable performances, including Karen Carney's high-scoring jive that impressed judges, while Ross King struggled with his cha-cha-cha. A new judging format was introduced, rotating the deciding vote among judges rather than granting Shirley Ballas a permanent deciding vote, adding a fresh dynamic to eliminations. Contestants' dance experience has sparked debate early on, as some viewers and participants voiced concerns about fairness due to varying levels of prior dance exposure among celebrities, highlighted by rugby player Chris Robshaw's challenging samba. The judges themselves opened the season with a well-received dance routine through the decades, showcasing their own talents and delighting fans. Meanwhile, the spin-off show Strictly It Takes Two returned with hosts Fleur East and Janette Manrara, featuring a newly redesigned set and promising exclusive backstage content to enhance viewer engagement. Fans expressed excitement about the new season's energy, diverse contestants, and production updates, signaling strong anticipation for the competition ahead.