Strictly icons reunite for 20th anniversary special but huge star is missing-Danni Scott-Entertainment – Metro

This year marks a very important anniversary for Strictly Come Dancing as it is 20 years since the show first aired on our screens.

2024’s season has been an extra special one, with a record-breaking win from Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell.

The Christmas Special is coming soon but that’s not the only celebration fans can look forward too as the BBC will also air an anniversary show.

Fan favourites like Zoe Ball, Ed Balls, and previous winner Bill Bailey will reunite in Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years.

The trailer revealed famous faces reminiscing with their professionals such as current winner Dianne and I’m A Celebrity star Oti Mabuse.

Iconic moments from the past 20 years were included with Natasha Kaplinsky stating she was ‘very proud to be the first person to lift that Glitterball’.

Strictly Come Dancing 20 Fabulous Years boasts some big names in the trailer (Picture: BBC)

Fan favourites like Ed Balls are back (Picture: BBC)

However, the 52-year-old presenter appeared to be alone on the sofa, unlike other contestants seen in the short trailer.

Her professional partner Brendan Cole was nowhere to be seen, despite appearing on the show for over a decade.

It’s unclear if the 48-year-old dancer will join the celebrations at all, although plenty of other Strictly personalities have returned.

The pair were the first winners of the original series which began in May 2004, starring Tess Daly and Sir Bruce Forsyth as presenters.

Meanwhile the judging panel was made up of the late Len Goodman, Craig Revel Horwood, Dame Arlene Phillips, and Bruno Tonioli — of which only Craig remains on the show.

Other clips include the controversial Giovanni Pernice as he danced with Rose Ayling-Ellis — the show’s first-ever deaf winner — to Clean Bandit and Zara Larsson’s Symphony.

Winners Bill Bailey and Oti Mabuse also reunited (Picture: BBC)

The dancers re-enacted their biggest moments (Picture: BBC)

The memorable moment saw her place her hands over his head before the song was paused and they danced in silence as a tribute to the deaf community.

It’s not thought Giovanni will be featured as a talking head after his exit from the show and allegations from former partner Amanda Abbington earlier this year.

Various dancers can be seen mimicking their previous routines such as former MP Ed, who performed moves from Gangnam Style with Katya Jones.

His salsa routine to the track in 2016 has gone down in history — although that may not be a good thing.

Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton make an adorable cameo, having met on the show in 2018 and won the trophy together.

Strictly’s 20th celebration includes huge former stars (Picture: BBC)

This year’s winner Dianne Buswell can be spotted with her partner Joe Sugg
(Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)

She is the reigning champ with Chris McCausland (Picture: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)

After finding love on the show, the pair welcomed a daughter together,born in January last year.

Stacey jokes she ‘wanted’ Italian dancer Vito Coppola instead, who won with Coronation Street star Ellie Leach last year.

Vito is also shown on the sofa with singer and TV presenter Fleur East, who went on to host spin-off series Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.

Joe Sugg joined Dianne on the couch, with the pair having met when dancing together in 2018.

Also spotted in the trailer is radio host Zoe, who said she feels ‘lucky to be friends’ with former Strictly star Ian Waite.

Professional dancer and now judge Anton Du Beke embraces Judy Murray, while Oti — who judges Dancing On Ice now — re-enacted her favourite dance with Bill.

Strictly Come Dancing: 20 Fabulous Years will air on BBC One and iPlayer at 7pm on December 21.

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