BBC Launches First ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ Spin-Off in 22 Years Ahead of 2026 Series
The BBC is expanding its Strictly Come Dancing franchise with a new short-form spin-off series, Strictly Pro Dance Off, designed to pull in younger audiences ahead of the main show’s return.
Share this article with someone via Whatsapp:
The new format marks the flagship show’s first major spin-off since It Takes Two debuted in 2004. Built specifically for rapid digital viewing, each seven-minute episode features a “teacher pro” taking two professional dancers through a quickfire routine. The contestants then go head-to-head on the floor, with the lead professional selecting a winner to advance to the following week’s round.
Led by Strictly pro and social media powerhouse Dianne Buswell, 37, the fast-paced series will feature a fresh wave of professional dancers, including 23-year-old Maddie Ingoldsby. The bite-sized episodes will air on BBC One and BBC iPlayer, with official broadcast times to be confirmed.
A TV insider told The Sun: “This will delight the Strictly fandom and it’s obviously part of the renewed drive to bring in a younger market to the show which, along with hiring more influencers to compete, is seen as future-proofing the contest.”
All Eyes on the 2026 Launch Show
The spin-off launch lands during a massive shift for the main series. The flagship competition kicks off its new series this Saturday, introducing a brand-new hosting trio—Emma Willis, comedian Josh Widdicombe, and former Strictly professional Johannes Radebe—who take over presenting duties following the departures of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman.
The launch episode will formally pair the 2026 celebrity roster with their professional partners, revealing matches for returning pros including Alexis Warr and Katya Jones alongside five newly added professional dancers.
This year’s 15-strong celebrity line-up boasts an eclectic mix of stars, including EastEnders actress Lacey Turner, TV personality Dani Dyer, Australian pop icon Delta Goodrem, celebrity hair stylist Chris Appleton, Love Island winner Cach Mercer, and Big Brother presenter Will Best. They are joined by 19-time Paralympic gold medallist Dame Sarah Storey, actors Jaime Winstone and Bethany Antonia, former England star Shaun Wright-Phillips, TV dog trainer Graeme Hall, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, Olympic skeleton racer Tabby Stoecker, online creator John Nellis, and Gavin & Stacey star Melanie Walters.
Never miss a thing, subscribe to us for free…
Share this article with someone who might like it: