Strictly Come Dancing is set to shake-up a major element of the BBC ballroom dancing show this year to celebrate 100 years of the BBC.
The celebrity dance show typically follows a week by week dance format as the couples are whittled down and the finale creeps closer, but there is a new themed week being added to the proceedings this autumn.
Alongside the likes of Halloween, Blackpool and Musicals Week there will be a round of dances dedicated to the BBC, which will see this year's celebs sashay to theme tunes from the Beeb’s most famous shows.
There will also be two BBC-themed professional routines starring Strictly Come Dancing's professional dancers, one of which will be dedicated to the broadcaster's natural history shows while another will see pro dancers "crashing" its flagship programmes.
Strictly executive producer Sarah James said: “We know how much viewers love the Strictly themed weeks so it’s fantastic to be able to announce a new one, celebrating the BBC’s centenary.
"It’s the icing on the cake to be able to confirm that we are returning to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom this year, we can’t wait to get back to Blackpool!”
The show has been unable to visit its northern home as normal for two years due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Earlier this month the complete line-up was officially announced with Kym Marsh, Will Mellor and Helen Skelton all set to take part, as well as James Bye and Tony Adams.
Joining them are Hamza Yassin, Fleur East, Molly Rainford, Ellie Taylor and Matt Goss. Also on the bill are Tyler West, Ellie Simmonds, Jayde Adams, Kaye Adams and Richie Anderson.
Strictly officially has a start date as it is set to hit screens on Saturday, September 17, pro dancer Johannes Radebe.
It follows the news that a pre-recorded launch show would be filmed on Wednesday, September 7, as the celebrities are paired up with their professional dance partners.
There's a big change to the pro line-up this year, with pro dancers Oti Mabuse and Aljaz Skorjanec having left the series.
The BBC show announced that four new professionals would be joining the show. European cup winner Vito Coppola , Chinese National Champion Carlos Gu , former Under 21 British National Champion Lauren Oakley and Latin dance champion Michelle Tsiakkas will all be taking to the stage.
Meanwhile, Bruno Tonioli announced in May that he was leaving the show after 18 years as a judge on the panel. He has been replaced by former pro and last year's judge Anton Du Beke alongside head judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood and Motsi Mabuse.
