Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly Come Dancing. It is a British television dance competition series that pairs celebrities with professional dancers to perform various ballroom and Latin dances. Each week, the couples are judged by a panel of experts and receive votes from the viewing public, with the lowest-scoring pair facing elimination. The show is broadcast on BBC One and has become a staple of Saturday night television in the United Kingdom, known for its glamorous costumes, elaborate set designs, and high-profile musical guests.

Format and broadcast

The competition typically runs for approximately thirteen weeks each autumn, with live shows broadcast from Elstree Studios in Borehamwood. Each episode features the couples performing a specific dance style, such as the Viennese Waltz, Cha-cha-cha, or Argentine Tango, which are scored by the judging panel. The format includes themed weeks, like Movie Week or Mussical Week, and a popular annual event is the Blackpool Tower Ballroom special. The results show, often pre-recorded, features performances from the professional troupe and guest artists like Taylor Swift or the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, and culminates in a dance-off between the bottom two couples. The program is produced by BBC Studios and has inspired numerous spin-off series, including Strictly Come Dancing: It Takes Two.

Professional dancers

The show employs a rotating roster of professional dancers, many of whom are champions in international competitions like the World DanceSport Federation championships. Longstanding professionals have included Aljaž Škorjanec, Karen Hauer, and Giovanni Pernice, while newer additions often come from prestigious backgrounds in DanceSport. Several professionals, such as Brendan Cole and James Jordan, have gained significant public profiles and participated in tours like Strictly Come Dancing Live!. The choreography is a collaborative effort, with dancers often working with external choreographers on group numbers, and some, like Oti Mabuse, have transitioned to judging roles on other programs like The Greatest Dancer.

Celebrity contestants and winners

Each series features a diverse array of celebrity contestants from fields including television, sport, music, and politics. Notable winners have included Olympic athlete Alesha Dixon, Holby City actor Tom Chambers, and McFly musician Harry Judd. The casting often generates significant media attention, with participants like Ann Widdecombe, Ed Balls, and John Sergeant becoming known for their entertaining, if not technically proficient, performances. The competition has also featured stars from Coronation Street, EastEnders, and national institutions like the Royal Ballet, with the Glitterball Trophy serving as the ultimate prize.

Reception and impact

The series has consistently been one of the most-watched programs on British television, frequently topping the BARB ratings and winning multiple National Television Awards. Its success is credited with revitalizing public interest in ballroom dancing, leading to increased enrollment in dance schools across the UK. The show has received praise from figures like Darcey Bussell and criticism from some dance purists, but its cultural impact is undeniable, influencing fashion trends and popularizing music from artists like Abba and Fleetwood Mac. It has also been the subject of academic studies and documentaries on the British Broadcasting Corporation.

International versions

The format has been licensed globally under the Dancing with the Stars banner, produced by BBC Studios and BBC Worldwide. Successful adaptations include the ABC version in the United States, hosted by Tom Bergeron, and versions in Australia on the Seven Network and in Germany on RTL Television. The format has also been produced in over fifty other territories, including South Africa, India, and Japan, often featuring local celebrities and professional dancers from organizations like the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing. These versions maintain the core format while adapting to regional tastes, with some, like the Polish edition, achieving similar longevity and popularity.

Category:British television series Category:Dance television series Category:BBC television programmes