STRICTLY COME DANCING
BBC One, 7pm
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Queen Elizabeth II had impeccable taste – chocolate biscuit cake, marmalade sandwiches, a gin and Dubonnet before lunch. And when it came to the tube in the corner of the room? Why, Strictly Come Dancing, of course. Camilla, the new Queen Consort, confirmed as much to last year’s champion Rose Ayling-ellis on set of Eastenders earlier this year, and 2020 Strictly star JJ Chalmers revealed that the late Queen wrote a letter to his father – her former chaplain – saying that she’d “enjoyed” his son’s performances. So, if that wasn’t reason enough to tune in to this year’s series, then the reassurance that the show will return to the prestigious Blackpool Tower Ballroom, after a two-year absence, and the permanent move of “King of Ballroom” Anton Du Beke to the judging panel should fill your boots. Tonight’s launch show (ahead of the series starting in earnest tomorrow) sees the class of 2022, including presenter Helen Skelton, cameraman Hamza Yassin, former England captain Tony Adams, comedian Ellie Taylor, singer Matt Goss, Paralympian Ellie Simmonds and Loose Women star Kaye Adams, paired up with their professional partners. Rachel Ward.