STRICTLY’S BACK!

Have a tan-go at our ultimate Strictly quiz...

STRICTLY Come Dancing waltzes back on to our TV screens tonight and promises to shake – and shimmy – up Saturdays.

However, the main series will be shorter this year, with enough social distancing to finally put a dampener on the Strictly curse (maybe).

So instead of cha-cha-charging straight into the launch, the BBC is bringing us four “best of” specials, taking us right back to the beginning. But how much can you remember?

Will you waltz your way through our Strictly quiz or will it leave you in a spin – or quick-stepping off to Google? It’s time to put your best foot forward.

The basics

You must always master the basics first…

1. Including the upcoming series, how many have there been so far? 10, 14, or 18?

2. Which host has been with the show since series one?

3. What is the name of the trophy the celebs compete for?

4. What is the top mark a contestant could possibly receive from all the judges?

5. Name the BBC2 spin-off show, hosted by Zoe Ball.

The first steps

Can you cast your mind back to the early days…

1. Who was the very first winner – and who was their pro partner?

2. Comedian Jason Woods was in series one, but what unique ‘honour’ does he have in Strictly history?

3. The winners of series three and four were both players of which sport?

4. Which Spice Girl came third in series four?

5. Who is the only remaining pro dancer from series one still on the show?

The judges

How much do you know about the people behind the panel?

1. Who was on the original series one judging panel?

2. Which former contestant joined the panel in 2008?

3. Bruno Tonioli was famously in which Elton John video?

4. Bruno also does Dancing With the Stars in the US. But which other Strictly judge joined him Stateside for several years?

5. Which judge’s autobiography is called Better Late Than Never?

6. Name the prima donna ballerina who was a judge for several years.

7. Which judge famously got down on their knees and bowed to Debbie McGee after a brilliant Tango?

8. Is Motsi Mabuse older or younger than pro dancer sister Oti?

9. Who is the current head judge?

10. Which judge famously fell off their chair in 2018?

The pros and contestants

Let’s see how good you are when it comes to a bit of Strictly trivia.

1. Name the member of Girls Aloud who took part.

2. Which winner of The X Factor also got the most 10s in Strictly history?

3. Who was the youngest celeb to take part, until this year’s forthcoming crop?

4. And the oldest?

5. Which Death in Paradise star was accused of making his partner Amy Dowden cry in 2018?

6. Which Kiwi pro was prone to storming off if he didn’t like the judges’ feedback?

7. Which pro dancer had a right TV boob when her assets popped out during the 2015 launch show?

8. Who is the odd one out: Artem Chigvintsev, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez or Brian Fortuna?

9. What do Jamie Laing, Paralympian Will Bayley and Kelly Brook all have in common? 10. Who partnered with Nancy Dell’Olio, Esther Rantzen and Gillian Taylforth?

Craig’s barbs

He’s the king of mean. But which poor celeb was on the receiving end of these Craig Revel Horwood classics? 1. “Lifeless, lacklustre, laboured… really, the only good thing about that for me was the end.”

Was it: a) Heather Small b) Zoe Ball c) Peter Andre

2. “You also had a bizarre sort of vacant look on your face that resembled someone who had been lobotomised.”

Was it: a) Ann Widdecombe b) Judy Murray c) Ricky Whittle

3. “I thought you were wriggling around like a slug in salt, actually.”

Was it: a) Rachel Riley b) Tom Chambers c) Carol Vorderman. 4. “Hunching over Erin like a walrus isn’t a Tango, unfortunately.”

Was it: a) Mark Ramprakash, b) Chris Hollins c) Willie Thorne

5. “I was worried about your health and safety when you ran like a banshee.” Was it: a) Scott Mills b) Matt Baker c) Patsy Palmer? The winners

It’s a select club, but how many do you remember?

1. Have there been more male or female winners of Strictly?

2. Who won last year?

3. How many EastEnders stars have lifted the trophy?

4. Holby City’s Joseph McFadden was a surprise winner in 2017. Which other past winner also starred in Holby?

5. Which Love Island host Salsa-ed her way to victory in 2014?

And the Participation Medal goes to...

Not everyone was a natural, but at least they were naturally funny…

1. Who had the unique pleasure of partnering Ed Balls?

2. Which MP performed a Titanic routine with Anton du Beke but failed to float the judges’ boat?

3. And how many weeks did that pair last in the competition – 4, 7, or 10? 4. Which reporter became a national treasure because of his two left feet in 2008? 5. Who dressed as Carmen Miranda and had Anton emerge from under her skirt in 2018? It takes two to tango

But sometimes you should just stand still. Test yourself on the so-called Strictly curse…

1. What connects Joe Calzaghe, Vincent Simone and Ben Cohen?

2. Which married dancer was snapped snogging her celeb partner Seann Walsh?

3. Flavia Cacace had relationships with two of her celeb partners. Can you name them?

4. Which pair got together in real life after winning in 2018?

5. And which other pair in the 2018 final were also a romantic couple?

And finally, a Brucie Bonus round

We couldn’t do a Strictly quiz without giving a nod to the late, great Sir Bruce Forsyth…

1. What would Sir Bruce urge viewers to do at the end of each episode (a tradition carried on today)?

2. He would always tell all couples:

“You’re my ____” ?

3. In what year did Sir Bruce step back from Strictly’s main series?

4. What dance craze did he show off in 2012, which later gave Ed Balls a run for his money?

5. And last of all, complete his famous catchphrase: “Nice to see you…”