Strictly seems to start earlier and earlier each year...

[LookItsMeAgain]

...well, if it is actually starting earlier, the list of the professional dancers taking part this year have just been announced:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/2024/strictly-come-dancing-presenters-judges-professional-dancers-confirmed#:~:text=Dianne%20Buswell%2C%20Nadiya%20Bychkova%2C%20Graziano,take%20to%20the%20Strictly%20dancefloor%2C

AFAIK it always starts in September.

Do you mean the actual programme or press releases like the one you have posted?

I think it’s heading off speculation about whether Gio is taking part or not without actually making a statement about it. And looking at that list, obviously he isn’t.

The press releases, the hype, the speculation...all of it.
It seems to start earlier and earlier each year.

This was clearly made this early to put a line under whether or not Giovanni Pernice was going to be taking part this year, and it is clear he isn't.

I hope Neil gets a partner this year. He's grown on me.

I'm sure they usually announce the pro line up in the Spring. Last year, it was definitely in April so they're relatively late this year.

I guess there was a lot of behind the scenes kerfuffling due to the Giovanni situation.

I just scrolled back through the strictly instagram and last year it was April and the year before was the end of March for the judges/pros announcement. So it's actually late, OP.

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13630835/graziano-di-prima-sacked-strictly-bbc-zara-mcdermott.html