[JMT1985]

That's not too bad for a 6.30ish start, especially if some elements are recorded before going live such as the guest slot in the Sunday show and any pro-number not pre-recorded pre-series.

I have had a few friends who have been to Strictly including this year, and they told me they arrived at Elstree Studios at around 3pm. They had a time issued on their ticket of when their ticket needed to be validated which was 3.30pm and then there is a bit of a wait before they get into George Lucas Stage 2. 

Due to the size of the set, and the first come, first served basis, means you don't get a choice of where you want to sit - they fill the main studio floor first, and then the rest in the balcony area which takes time. 

I remember she said the set looks very different to what we see on air - it feels smaller than what we think we see on TV 

She said 5.00pm is when they start to kick things off, with warm up, introductions, explaining the show including explaining the results show also being recorded, and also a lot of pleading not to reveal the results - of course this is a waste of time, as Strictly Spoiler always gets the results by 11pm each Saturday. 

After the live show, there is a short break, to go to the toilet, and then be seated as 9.30pm is the time they start to record the results show. 

She said they got out of the studio around 11pm and this meant ordering a taxi - quite expensive at 11pm at night.