Strictly Come Dancing is planning to bring the ballroom to younger audiences, with a new CBBC offshoot of the show.
The new Strictly spin-off, titled Strictly Pro Dance Off, will feature a series of quick-fire dance battles between the show’s professional dance team – both those returning and the series newcomers.
The new seven-minute CBBC show launch will coincide with the return of the main programme this Saturday evening.
An official announcement on the programme says it will encourage younger viewers to get involved and dance along to the tracks in a virtual Strictly ballroom, with tutorials on the routines.
Two pros will then ‘take to the floor to battle it out’ and impress the teaching pro, who will be wielding the all-important Strictly score paddles.
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The BBC announcement stated: ‘Combining competitive performance with a lot of behind-the-scenes fun, young viewers will be taken step by step through the different Strictly dance styles by their favourite pros.’
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A TV insider told The Sun that the move will ‘delight’ the Strictly fandom and characterised it as a means of shoring up the future of the show with a new generation of viewers.
The source told the publication: ‘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.’
Episodes of Strictly Pro Dance Off will be televised during CBBC’s Saturday Mash-Up! each week, with Dianne Buswell on board as the first professional leading the premiere instalment.
She will be teaching the moves to a jive, with Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley going head to head to perform it.
Senior Head of Commissioning for BBC Children’s and Education 7+, Sarah Muller, said in the official announcement: ‘Strictly Pro Dance Off brings everything children love about Strictly into a short, energetic new format made especially for them.
‘Viewers will see the Professional Dancers learning, teaching and getting competitive, while discovering more about the different styles and techniques that bring the ballroom to life.’
Will you be tuning in to Strictly Pro Dance Off?
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Definitely
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I’ll get the kids to watch
Strictly returns this weekend with a new roster of hosts in Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe, as well as a crop of new celebrities to take to the ballroom floor in the hopes of lifting the glitterball trophy.
Strictly Pro Dance Off premieres on Saturday Mash-Up! on CBBC this Saturday, with episodes available afterwards on BBC iPlayer.