Strictly's New Season Launch Show Features Syon Park

Four contestants introduced to their partners in the Great Conservatory

Johannes and Montell and celebrate their pairing in at Syon Park. Picture: BBC

September 20, 2024

It may be no stranger to hosting TV crews amid tight security and secrecy but the latest bit of filming at Syon Park was most definitely kept “Strictly” confidential, until the weekend.

On Saturday (14 September) night viewers of the launch show for BBC1’s sequin-packed extravaganza Strictly Come Dancing were treated to the sight of four of this year’s celebrity contestants meeting their assigned professional partners amongst the exotic flowers of the Great Conservatory.

Olympic gold-medal winning field hockey player and Question of Sport team captain Sam Quek; former member of boyband JLS and TV presenter JB Gill; The Only Way Is Essex alumni Peete Wicks; and former summer and winter Olympian turned TV Gladiator Montell Douglas, were featured strolling around the Park grounds in daylight while discussing their excitement at taking part in what is the 20th anniversary of the ballroom-themed series.

Estate staff revealed filming took place during a single day at the end of last month with everyone present sworn to remain tight-lipped until the big reveal had passed.

As night fell the celebs moved inside the conservatory itself to nervously await the arrival of Strictly pros Johannes Radebe, Nikita Kuzmin, Jowita Przytal, and Amy Dowden; who is returning to the series after a well-documented fight against breast cancer.

The partners get to know each other in The Great Conservatory. Picture: BBC

On meeting JB, Amy said: “I’ve got a feeling my comeback is going to be very strong now” while Nikita – who earlier got into a light-hearted argument with Sam about who had the better Northern accent - added: “This moment, right now, is where the journey begins!”

After the hugging and screams of excitement died down, the newly matched up couples of Sam and Nikita, JB with Amy, Pete and Jowita, and Montell and Johannes took up Amy’s suggestion of an impromptu twirl across the flagstones of the 200-year old building.

Each showed early signs of talent which they will need if they are to impress the judges and the public which will enable them to survive the next three months to potentially lift the glitterball trophy in the grand final.

Speaking after the programme aired Syon’s head gardener Topher Martyn said, “We do lots of high-profile filming here and we’re very good at respecting confidentiality, although the public always ask!

“I understand the Great Conservatory was chosen as it is such a remarkable building. As it has been used for filming on many occasions, it’s well known in the film world – as well as being conveniently located for London.

“There was a ballroom scene filmed in the Great Conservatory in the recent series of ITV drama Bridgerton, so maybe that made someone think of dancing.

“Filming at Syon provides access to a key source of income for us, and it is this income that enables us to invest in the restoration of this unique historic site, but we also do it as there’s something exciting about seeing the Great Conservatory transformed into a set.

“As we’ve had everything from Napoleon and Vanity Fair, through to Poirot, Killing Eve and Transformers there’s certainly some transformations going on – although I think the Great Conservatory is always the star of the show!”

Asked if Syon’s owner His Grace Ralph Percy the Duke of Northumberland might be inspired by the recent appearance of the Marchioness of Bath on Celebrity Masterchef to don some sequins and strut his stuff in the Strictly ballroom, Mr Martyn added tongue-in-cheek: “I can’t speak for the family, but please don’t assume the gardeners don’t have a spring in their steps!”

So until the prospect of Mr Martyn and his team picking Cha-Cha Chives in the allotment or meeting in the tool shed for a Hoe Down becomes a reality, viewers will have to make do with the current crop of celebrity dancers.

All will dance competitively for the first time this coming Saturday (21 September), safe in the knowledge that nobody can be voted out in Week 1.

The next big event to take place in the Great Conservatory will be Syon’s annual participation in the Big Coffee Morning for the charity Macmillan Cancer Support on Thursday 26 September.

It takes place from 10am to 1pm with free entry up until 12pm which includes access to the gardens.

For more information and to donate via the official website click here.

Chris Longhurst