The BBC has dismissed reports claiming that Strictly Come Dancing is looking to make a major change to the show’s format.
As has been the case since 2007, the long-running dance competition show airs live on Saturday nights, while its results shows are pre-recorded immediately afterwards, airing on Sundays.
Because of this, Strictly fans who don’t mind the result being spoiled for themselves can usually track down the identities of the couple who’ve been eliminated on social media with a bit of sleuthing.
Over the weekend, the Daily Mail claimed that some BBC bosses were hoping to ditch the pre-recorded launch show, with the report suggesting this could boost viewing figures.
However, a spokesperson for the show told the Daily Star that this speculation was “nonsense”.
“Strictly’s results show is hugely popular and over seven million people came together to watch it live last Sunday night,” they pointed out.
While the Sunday nights results show is going nowhere, Strictly is still set to undergo some big changes from next year onwards – most notably when it gets two new presenters following the upcoming departures of Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly.
Claudia has presented Strictly’s Sunday show for 15 years, and took over as Tess’ full-time co-host in 2014.
Meanwhile, Tess has presented every season of Strictly since it began in 2004, first co-presenting with the late Sir Bruce Forsyth before he was replaced by Claudia.
Tess and Claudia’s final show at the helm of Strictly will be this year’s Christmas Day special, and while the BBC is yet to confirm who’ll be taking over, a number of names have already been reported in the press to be in consideration.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday night at 6.25pm on BBC One, where the remaining eight couples will be fighting for their spot at this year’s Blackpool special.
