Strictly Come Dancing to celebrate the BBC’s centenary with a themed week | Come dance strictly

Strictly Come Dancing will return to Blackpool after a two-year absence and this year’s series will feature a special theme week to celebrate 100 years of the BBC, the broadcaster has announced.

The 20th series of the BBC show will see 15 celebrities, including TV presenter Helen Skelton, EastEnders actor James Bye, singer Fleur East and former England footballer Tony Adams, hit the runway for dance.

In the BBC-themed episode, the Strictly couples will either dance to “a musical theme from an iconic BBC program or as a tribute to one of the BBC’s most beloved services,” the company said. BBC.

The episode will also feature two routines from the professionals at Strictly, one dedicated to the BBC’s natural history programming, and another which will see the professionals “crush” some popular BBC shows.

The series, which will launch on September 17, will also return to the prestigious Blackpool Tower Ballroom after a two-year hiatus due to the Covid pandemic.

Strictly executive producer Sarah James said: “We know how much viewers love Strictly themed weeks, so it’s fantastic to be able to announce a new one, celebrating the BBC’s centenary.

“It is the icing on the cake to be able to confirm that we are returning to the iconic Blackpool Tower Ballroom this year. We cannot wait to return to Blackpool.”

Memorable moments at the Strictly Ballroom at the Blackpool Tower over the years include the 2016 entry of former Shadow Chancellor Ed Balls, who was lowered from the ceiling playing the piano before stepping down hit the dance floor to dance with Katya Jones to Jerry Lee Lewis’ hit Great Balls of Fire.

The celebrity lineup this year also includes Ted Lasso actor Ellie Taylor, Paralympic swimming gold medalist Ellie Simmonds, Two Pints ​​of Lager and a packet of chips actor Will Mellor, star of Loose Women Kaye Adams and Coronation Street actor Kym Marsh.

They are joined by Bros singer Matt Goss, Kiss radio host Tyler West, Britain’s Got Talent finalist Molly Rainford, comedian and actor Jayde Adams, Wildlife cameraman and presenter Hamza Yassin and BBC Radio’s Richie Anderson 2.

Anderson, a regular presenter of BBC Radio 2 Breakfast’s travel bulletins, will dance in a same-sex partnership this year, following Nicola Adams and Katya Jones who danced together in 2020, and Johannes Radebe and the Great British Bake Off winner John Whaite, who made the 2021 series finale.