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Strictly Come Dancing 2011

It's time to slip on your dancing shoes once again, as Strictly Come Dancing waltzes back on to ´óÏó´«Ã½ One this autumn with a star-studded line-up for what promises to be the most entertaining series yet.

Sir Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly return to add some sparkle to Saturday nights, kicking off the action with a special red carpet launch show at 6.10pm on ´óÏó´«Ã½ One, Saturday 10 September 2011.

Following last year's smash hit series, 2011 is set to be even more spectacular with our biggest ever live programme from Wembley Arena in aid of Children In Need. Here the couples will waltz their way across the biggest ever dance floor in the programme's history, while trying to impress the biggest ever live audience of around 6,500 Strictly fans – the largest in the programme's nine series – and the many millions more at home.

And in another first, the Grand Final will be broadcast in dazzling 3D when the show returns to Blackpool's Tower Ballroom – for the first time since series two. The free-to-air broadcast of the final in 3D will be available to anyone who has access to a 3D TV set and to HD channels.

The action starts on Saturday 10 September with a glitzy red carpet launch event at the ´óÏó´«Ã½'s Television Centre. After facing the flashbulbs on the red carpet, the celebrities will head to the dance floor to learn which of the Strictly professional dancers will be partnering them through the series, giving audiences the chance to see exactly what their first impressions are.

Viewers will also have the opportunity to pick their favourites and spot early dancing talents as the celebrities take to the dance floor for the first time and perform a group routine. There will also be a spectacular group dance performed by the Strictly professionals, as well as a music performance by country music megastar Dolly Parton.

Returning to lend their expert opinions are our fearsome foursome – head judge Len Goodman, and fellow judges Alesha Dixon, Craig Revel Horwood and Bruno Tonioli.

Claudia Winkleman once again joins Tess on Sunday evenings to present the Results Show and new presenter Zoe Ball will bring Strictly fans all the latest backstage gossip, news and drama in the weekday sister show It Takes Two over on ´óÏó´«Ã½ Two.

Danny Cohen, Controller, ´óÏó´«Ã½ One, said: "I've always wanted to see Jason Donovan in sequins and Anita Dobson do the foxtrot. They form part of a really fantastic line-up for Strictly this year. With broadcasts planned in front of thousands at Wembley, as well as a return to Blackpool for the final, this year's Strictly is set to be packed with more dancing and drama than ever before."

Following the launch show, the battle of the ballroom will begin with our first live show at the end of September.

Strictly online

The ´óÏó´«Ã½ Strictly Come Dancing 2011 multiplatform experience will be bigger and better than ever before. With interactive twitter and Facebook feeds, behind the scene pictures throughout the dress rehearsals, exclusive footage straight from the training rooms and first reaction videos following all the drama of the elimination, Strictly fans will be able to get involved and keep up with the action as it happens.

This year, there will also be huge amounts of audience interaction during Strictly's sister show It Takes Two, with Skype conversations and social network interaction throughout the series.

Finally, offering a new cross platform experience during the Saturday night live show, an alternative commentary via the Red Button will be brought to you by dance guru Karen Hardy and her weekly special guests.

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RB/CI2/SG/EB