TO celebrate a huge milestone Strictly Come Dancing has announced a brand new spin-off show.
The telly favourite launched exactly 20 years ago today and has since become BBC’s biggest entertainment title.
It also won big at this year’s BAFTA TV Awards, scooping Best Entertainment for the third time.
The BBC has teased an anniversary show, which will look back over the best bits of Strictly from when it first launched in 2004.
Details of the spin-off are being kept under wraps at the moment but broadcast bosses say fans will be treated with a “very special programme”.
Kalpna Patel-Knight, Head of Entertainment at the BBC says: “Throughout its 20-year history, the show has launched careers, sparked trends, and touched the hearts of millions with its dazzling performances, emotional journeys, and unforgettable moments and we will be showcasing it all in this very special programme.”
More details on the special one-off show will be “confirmed in due course”, according to the BBC.
Suzy Lamb, Managing Director, BBC Studios Entertainment, added: “From glittering Ballroom numbers to high-energy Latin routines, the show continues to push the boundaries of dance and entertainment and we want viewers to join us in raising a toast to 20 years of sparkle and shine in the Strictly Come Dancing ballroom.”
This comes after professional dancer Nadiya Bychjova said she knows a member of the royal family who has their heart set on taking to the dance floor.
Strictly Come Dancing winners
The hit BBC One series first kicked off in 2004, and over the years has crowned 19 winners.
2004 – Natasha Kaplinsky
2004 – Jill Halfpenny
2005 – Darren Gough
2006 – Mark Ramprakash
2007 – Alesha Dixon
2008 – Tom Chambers
2009 – Chris Hollins
2010 – Kara Tointon
2011 – Harry Judd
2012 – Louis Smith
2013 – Abbey Clancy
2014 – Caroline Flack
2015 – Jay McGuiness
2016 – Ore Oduba
2017 – Joe McFadden
2018 – Stacey Dooley
2019 – Kevin Fletcher
2020 – Bill Bailey
2021 – Rose Ayling-Ellis
2022 – Hamza Yassin
2023 – Ellie Leach
She said Princess Anne, 73, told her last month she wants to join the BBC1 show’s cast.
In an exclusive interview with The Sun, Nadiya, 34, said: “I met her at a ballet event.
“She is a Strictly fan and she wants to go on the show — she told me.
“She did say that.
“I think she would be good — there’s a lot of personality there, isn’t there?”
Earlier this year, Queen Camilla said she was “one of Strictly’s greatest fans”.
The royals are such avid viewers that there have been discussions to film for the BBC1 series at Buckingham Palace.
Nadiya, who is still in the cast but wasn’t paired with a celebrity last year, added: “They love it and they watch it all the time.
“Whenever you see royals at events, they all know what’s going on.
“I’m not from this country so I don’t know all the royal etiquette, but you learn through situations, and I just try to be respectful as I can when I meet the royals.
“It just blows your mind to think how big this show is.”
The contestants for this years show are yet to be revealed, but speculation has already begun.
The Chase’s Mark Labbett is set to be eyeing up a spot after receiving Kai Widdrington’s backing.
Mark, 58, told us in an exclusive interview that if it all goes to plan he’s likely to be paired with Nadiya, who is dating Kai.
It was during a backstage encounter at Loose Women yesterday that Mark and his presenter girlfriend Hayley Palmer, 42, got chatting with the pro dancers – who, to their surprise, were more than willing to set something up.
In fact, Mark films The Chase at Elstree Studios over the same months of the year as Strictly, so it’s no wonder he bit Kai’s arm off when he offered to put in a good word with producers.
Mark said: “Hayley used to run a dance school and knows Kai from the industry. We were all in the make-up room chatting and he said, ‘Would you be interested?’
“Of course, I told him I’d love to do it. And Nadiya would be the only one tall enough to dance with me too.
“He invited us to one of their gigs so we’re going to stay in touch and hopefully make something happen.
“We actually film The Chase at the same place, at the George Lucas in Elstree. I could do one show in the morning and then go straight on up and do the other in the evening.
“I would be very happy if my agent said, ‘Strictly would love to chat to you.’ From October, November, December, I practically live in Elstree doing The Chase so it would work out perfectly.”
