The countdown is on as Strictly Come Dancing returns to our TV screens this weekend.

Our Saturday nights are about to brimming with more glitz and glamour than ever before.

There will be 15 celebrities competing to lift the glitterball trophy this autumn, following in the footsteps of 2022 winners Hamza and Jowita.

Head judge Shirley Ballas will be back once more alongside Anton Du Beke, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.

Meanwhile, dynamic duo Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be presenting the 21st series but how much do they get paid for hosting one of the biggest British TV shows during the prime time weekend slots?

How much do Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman get paid for Strictly Come Dancing?

The pair have presented Strictly together since 2014 and earlier this year, The Sun reported they signed a new “six-figure deal.”

It’s alleged they are getting a combined wage from the BBC of more than £300,000.

A TV insider said: “Beeb chiefs absolutely love Tess and Claudia and wouldn’t dream of ever losing them.

"They are especially proud of the fact that they have two women hosting a show on a Saturday and Sunday on prime time BBC1. It is an enviable position to be in.

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“Strictly’s leading ladies may command a high price, but the Beeb view them as great value for money given how popular they are with viewers.

“In the nine years they’ve been fronting the show, Tess and Claudia have become synonymous with the programme and bosses couldn’t contemplate them not being its presenters.

“Which is why execs are so keen to sign them up for another two years and ensure they don’t get poached by a rival broadcaster for their big shows.”

When does Strictly Come Dancing 2023 start?

This year Strictly returns to BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday, September 16 from 6.35pm.

The first show will be pre-recorded and will reveal who the celebrities such as EastEnders favourite Bobby Brazier and Coronation Street legend Les Dennis will be partnered with.

The professional dancers will perform three routines including a group number with the new cast.

Current Strictly champions Hamza and Jowita make a triumphant return and Jessie Ware will perform one of her biggest hits in the ballroom.

Strictly Come Dancing 2023 line-up - meet the celebrities

From comedians, broadcasters, Olympic champions and soap stars, here are the Strictly contestants taking part this autumn:

  • Sherlock and Mr Selfridge actress Amanda Abbington
  • Former newsreader Angela Rippon
  • Stage and screen star Layton Williams
  • Channel 4 journalist Krishnan Guru-Murthy
  • Comedian Eddie Kadi
  • Irish presenter Angela Scanlon
  • Love Island’s Zara McDermott
  • Emmerdale and Waterloo Road actor Adam Thomas
  • BBC radio presenter Nikita Kanda
  • Coronation Street's Ellie Leach
  • Paralympic Champion Jody Cundy CBE
  • Eastenders star Bobby Brazier
  • Casualty star Nigel Harman
  • British tennis player Annabel Croft
  • Former Family Fortunes host and actor Les Dennis

When does Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two start?

Strictly It Takes Two will be back on BBC Two at 6.30pm from Monday, September 25.

Fans can look forward to an exciting season featuring dynamic duo Janette Manrara and Fleur East.

Pop singer Fleur was announced as the new It Takes Two co-host earlier this year on The One Show, taking over from Rylan Clark who presented the spin-off series for four years.