Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two serves as the essential weekday companion programme to BBC’s flagship dancing competition. Airing on BBC Two during the main Strictly series, the show offers viewers exclusive behind-the-scenes access, post-performance interviews, and professional dance analysis that complements the Saturday evening broadcasts. Since its launch in 2004, the programme has evolved through various presenting lineups while maintaining its focus on delivering insights that the main show format cannot accommodate.
The programme operates as a weekday magazine-style show, typically running approximately 37 minutes per episode. It fills the gap between Saturday night performances, giving audiences additional content throughout the week. Episodes feature interviews with eliminated celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners, training footage, judge commentary segments, and rehearsal clips that showcase the preparation work behind each weekend performance.
BBC iPlayer provides free streaming access to all episodes in high definition with closed captions. The programme averages between 2 and 3 million viewers on BBC Two, demonstrating a dedicated audience that engages with Strictly content beyond the main Saturday broadcast. The show’s format positions it uniquely within the broader Strictly Come Dancing ecosystem, offering depth and context that enhances viewer understanding of the competition.
What is Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two?
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two is a BBC Two television programme that accompanies the main Strictly Come Dancing series on BBC One. First broadcast in 2004, the show functions as a daily companion piece, providing supplementary coverage that extends the Strictly experience across the full week rather than limiting it to weekend broadcasts alone.
The programme delivers content that complements the Saturday night performances through weekday editions. Each episode presents backstage perspectives, training footage, and interviews that would not fit within the main show’s commercial television constraints. This companion format allows producers to showcase the preparation work, emotional journeys, and professional guidance that professional dancers provide throughout the competition.
Since 2004, the programme has undergone several presenting changes, with Claudia Winkleman hosting from 2004 to 2010, Zoe Ball taking over from 2011 to 2019, and Rylan Clark joining as co-host from 2019 to 2020 before the current presenting team assumed duties.
Quick Reference
Key Insights
- Provides exclusive behind-the-scenes access unavailable in the main Saturday broadcast
- Features weekly interviews with eliminated celebrity-professional pairs
- Includes judge commentary segments reviewing choreography and training footage
- Streams free on BBC iPlayer with HD quality and closed captions
- Operates as a weekday programme during the main Strictly series run
- Averages 2-3 million viewers per episode on BBC Two
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Programme Type | Companion show to Strictly Come Dancing |
| Broadcast Channel | BBC Two (weekdays during series) |
| Airing Time | 6:30pm on BBC Two |
| Series Duration | 12 weeks (September to December) |
| Streaming Platform | BBC iPlayer (free, HD, with CC) |
| Current Series | Series 22 (2024) |
| Average Viewership | 2-3 million per episode |
| Episode Length | Approximately 37 minutes |
When and Where to Watch It Takes Two
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two airs on BBC Two at 6:30pm every weekday evening during the main Strictly Come Dancing series. The programme runs parallel to the BBC One broadcasts, providing supplementary content that spans the competition week. Viewers can access episodes live as they air or catch up through on-demand streaming.
The series operates on a structured weekday schedule, with new episodes appearing Monday through Friday throughout the Strictly run. This daily format ensures audiences have regular contact with Strictly content between the Saturday performances, maintaining engagement throughout the competition week rather than concentrating all coverage into single weekend broadcasts.
Schedule Details
The 2024 series (series 22) runs for 12 weeks from 23 September to 13 December. Each weekday episode airs at 6:30pm on BBC Two, with approximately 37 minutes of content per edition. The programme synchronises with the main Strictly series on BBC One, releasing new episodes that correspond with the ongoing competition timeline.
Viewing Options
BBC iPlayer serves as the primary streaming platform, offering free access to all episodes in high definition with closed captions. Subscribers to Sky television can access content through Sky Go. Apple TV provides access to archived episodes, though these primarily feature content from earlier series hosted by Zoe Ball. BBC iPlayer remains the most accessible option for UK viewers seeking current series content.
BBC iPlayer offers free streaming with HD quality and closed captions. Episodes become available immediately after broadcast, allowing viewers to watch at their convenience throughout the series run.
For viewers without traditional television access, the combination of BBC iPlayer and Sky Go provides comprehensive coverage options. The programme’s availability across multiple platforms ensures audiences can engage with Strictly content regardless of their television subscription arrangement.
Who Hosts and Judges It Takes Two?
The 2024 series features Janette Manrara and Fleur East as co-hosts. Both presenters bring distinct backgrounds to the role: Manrara previously competed as a professional dancer on Strictly Come Dancing, while East has established herself as a broadcaster and presenter through various television programmes. Their partnership represents the show’s current presenting era, succeeding Zoe Ball’s extended tenure from 2011 to 2019.
Presenting Schedule
The hosts operate on a rotating schedule throughout the week. Fleur East presents on Mondays and Tuesdays, Janette Manrara takes hosting duties on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and both presenters share responsibility for Friday editions. This alternating arrangement provides variety for viewers while ensuring consistent coverage across all weekday editions.
Manrara and East returned for the 2024 series, continuing their presenting partnership that began in previous seasons. Their presentation style emphasises backstage access, interview content, and the rehearsal footage that forms the programme’s core content. The hosts interact with celebrity contestants, professional dancers, and judges throughout each episode.
Claudia Winkleman launched the programme in 2004, hosting until 2010. Zoe Ball took over and hosted solo until 2019. Rylan Clark joined as co-host for the 2019-2020 series before Manrara and East assumed presenting duties for subsequent seasons.
Judge Appearances
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two does not feature a permanent judge panel. Instead, the programme incorporates judge appearances through dedicated segments and guest appearances. Craig Revel Horwood appears through segments including “Craig’s Rev-alations,” where he reviews choreography and training footage, offering professional critique that goes beyond the compressed commentary possible during the main show broadcasts.
Head judge Shirley Ballas contributes through the “Dance Card” segment, where she demonstrates dances and provides instructional context. These appearances give viewers access to judge perspectives outside the competitive scoring environment, offering insights into the professional standards and technical elements that define Strictly performances.
The programme’s approach to judge involvement differs from the main show’s scoring format, allowing for more nuanced discussion and educational content. Rather than competitive commentary, these segments focus on technique, training methods, and the judging criteria that contestants work to meet throughout the series.
What’s Featured on It Takes Two Episodes?
Each episode presents a magazine-style format combining multiple content segments. The programme delivers approximately 37 minutes of daily content, structured around interviews, training footage, judge commentary, and analysis segments that together provide comprehensive coverage of the ongoing Strictly competition. This extended format allows depth that the main Saturday broadcast cannot accommodate.
Interview Content
Eliminated celebrity contestants and their professional dance partners appear on the programme following their departure from the competition. These post-elimination interviews explore the contestants’ experiences, the challenges they faced during training, and their reflections on the competition journey. The format provides closure for eliminated pairs while offering viewers additional insight into their Strictly experience.
The current 2024 celebrity-professional lineup corresponds with Strictly Come Dancing series 22 participants. As contestants are eliminated from the main competition, they become available for interview content on the companion programme, creating a natural flow that connects the two shows while providing additional exposure for eliminated pairs.
The programme primarily features eliminated contestants, as active competitors focus on their ongoing preparation for Saturday performances. This approach ensures interview subjects have completed their Strictly journey and can speak freely about their experience.
Training Footage and Rehearsal Content
Behind-the-scenes rehearsal footage forms a substantial portion of each episode. Viewers gain access to training sessions, costume fittings, and practice sequences that reveal the preparation work underlying each Saturday performance. This content showcases the professional guidance provided by Strictly’s dance professionals, highlighting the technical and creative development of each couple’s routines.
The programme also includes celebrity opinions and viewer reactions, creating a broader conversational context around the competition. These segments position the show as a hub for Strictly community engagement, drawing together professional analysis and audience perspectives. For those concerned about specific local regulations, information on Holiday wheelie bin fines UK is available. Holiday wheelie bin fines UK
Dance-Off Analysis
Following each Saturday’s results show, the programme provides detailed analysis of the dance-off and elimination decisions. This content expands upon the brief explanations given during the main broadcast, offering deeper context for competition outcomes. Judge commentary segments further enrich this analysis, with professionals examining technique, performance quality, and progression throughout the series.
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two Timeline
The programme has evolved across more than two decades of broadcasting, adapting to changes in the main Strictly Come Dancing series while maintaining its core function as a companion show.
- 2004: Programme launches with Claudia Winkleman as initial host, establishing the companion show format alongside the first Strictly Come Dancing series.
- 2004-2010: Winkleman hosts six series, developing the programme’s format and establishing its position within the Strictly ecosystem.
- 2011: Zoe Ball takes over as sole presenter, beginning an extended tenure that would span nearly a decade.
- 2011-2019: Ball hosts eight series as the programme’s primary presenter, becoming synonymous with the companion show.
- 2019-2020: Rylan Clark joins as co-host alongside Ball, introducing a two-presenter format.
- 2021: Zoe Ball departs the programme, creating a presenting transition period.
- 2022-2023: Janette Manrara and Fleur East assume co-hosting duties, bringing professional dance and broadcasting expertise to the role.
- September 2024: Series 22 begins, running through 13 December with Manrara and East continuing as presenters.
What We Know and What Remains Uncertain
The programme operates within well-established parameters regarding its broadcast schedule, presenting team, and format. However, certain details about specific series elements remain less clearly documented.
| Established Information | Information That Remains Uncertain |
|---|---|
| Airs weekdays on BBC Two at 6:30pm during Strictly series | Specific 2024 filming location not publicly confirmed |
| Janette Manrara and Fleur East serve as 2024 co-hosts | Weekly guest lineup varies and requires BBC confirmation |
| Episodes run approximately 37 minutes | Social media strategy focuses on BBC channels rather than dedicated show accounts |
| Free streaming available on BBC iPlayer | Full 2024 judge appearance schedule not detailed in public sources |
| Averages 2-3 million viewers per episode | Future series plans beyond 2024 not announced |
The Role of It Takes Two in Strictly’s Ecosystem
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two occupies a unique position within British television’s reality competition landscape. The programme extends audience engagement beyond the Saturday broadcast, creating a daily touchpoint that maintains interest throughout the competition week. This companion format proves particularly valuable for dedicated viewers who seek additional context and behind-the-scenes access that the main show’s commercial constraints prevent.
The programme’s weekday schedule serves a dual purpose. First, it provides promotional value for the main Strictly broadcast by maintaining visibility throughout the week. Second, it offers genuine informational value, with judge commentary, training footage, and elimination interviews enriching viewer understanding of the competition. This combination of promotional and journalistic content distinguishes the programme from simple marketing materials.
The programme’s longevity demonstrates audience appetite for extended coverage of reality competitions. With over two decades of continuous broadcasting, Strictly: It Takes Two has established itself as a valuable component of the Strictly brand, providing content that complements rather than duplicates the main show’s format. Wikipedia’s comprehensive coverage of the programme’s history reflects its significance within British television culture.
Sources and Programme Background
The programme draws its content from the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing competition, with production linked to BBC’s television operations. Judge appearances and interview content derive from the main competition, with the companion programme serving as a distribution channel for material that enhances viewer engagement with the Saturday broadcasts.
The programme provides backstage gossip, interviews, rehearsal clips, and judge insights, offering viewers exclusive access to the preparation work behind each weekend’s performances. This combination of content types creates a comprehensive view of the Strictly experience that extends well beyond what the main show format can accommodate.
— BBC programme information
Both Manrara and East returned for the 2024 series, bringing their distinct perspectives to the presenting role. Manrara’s background as a former Strictly professional dancer provides insider insight, while East contributes broadcasting expertise developed through her career in television and radio.
— Ballet News coverage of presenting team
Production has utilized various studio locations across the programme’s history, including BBC Television Centre, The London Studios, Stage 6 at Elstree Studios (2020), and Studio 2 at Riverside Studios (2021). The programme’s visual production has evolved alongside broadcast technology, with contemporary episodes benefiting from improved studio facilities and production values.
Summary
Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two remains the essential weekday companion to BBC’s flagship dancing competition. Broadcasting on BBC Two at 6:30pm during the main series, the programme delivers behind-the-scenes access, judge commentary, and interview content that extends viewer engagement throughout the competition week. With Janette Manrara and Fleur East serving as co-hosts for the 2024 series, the programme continues its evolution while maintaining the core function established when Claudia Winkleman launched the format in 2004.
The show’s approximately 37-minute episodes provide substantial content between Saturday broadcasts, featuring eliminated contestant interviews, training footage, and judge analysis segments that together offer comprehensive coverage of the Strictly experience. For viewers interested in reality television dynamics and behind-the-scenes access, The Only Way Is Essex – Cast, Series Count and 2025 Status offers a comparable example of extended reality television coverage in British programming.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is It Takes Two filmed?
Recent series have used Stage 6 at Elstree Studios (series 18, 2020) and Studio 2 at Riverside Studios (2021). Earlier venues included BBC Television Centre and The London Studios. The specific 2024 filming location has not been publicly confirmed in available sources.
Does It Takes Two have a dedicated social media presence?
The programme promotes through BBC’s official channels for live updates and clips. No dedicated standalone Twitter or social media accounts specific to It Takes Two were identified in available sources.
Who are the 2024 It Takes Two presenters?
Janette Manrara and Fleur East serve as co-hosts for series 22 (2024). East typically presents Mondays and Tuesdays, Manrara covers Wednesdays and Thursdays, with both sharing Fridays.
Can I watch It Takes Two online?
Yes. Episodes stream free on BBC iPlayer in HD with closed captions. Sky subscribers can also access content through Sky Go. Apple TV offers archived episodes from earlier series.
How long has It Takes Two been on television?
The programme launched in 2004 alongside the first Strictly Come Dancing series. This makes 2024 the programme’s 22nd series, with over two decades of continuous broadcasting.
Who are the judges on It Takes Two?
The programme does not feature a permanent judge panel. Instead, Strictly judges appear through guest segments. Craig Revel Horwood appears via “Craig’s Rev-alations” and Shirley Ballas through “Dance Card” demonstrations.
What time does It Takes Two start?
The programme airs at 6:30pm on BBC Two every weekday during the main Strictly Come Dancing series. Episodes run approximately 37 minutes.
What channel is It Takes Two on?
BBC Two broadcasts the programme on weekdays throughout the Strictly series. Episodes are also available on BBC iPlayer for streaming.
Oliver William Davies Thompson is a staff writer for MetroReport.uk, covering city news, transport, housing and urban policy. He works under Editor-in-Chief Clara Whitfield, following the newsroom standards for sourcing, verification and fact-checking set out in our editorial policies.