REPORTS: STRICTLY COME DANCING EXPECTED TO BE PUT OUT TO TENDER BY BBC NEXT YEAR

Reports suggest the BBC is bracing to put Strictly Come Dancing out to competitive tender next year, according too The Sun newspaper. The BBC declined to comment.

Under the terms of its 2016 Charter agreement, the BBC has an obligation to let "outside companies bid to make many of the comedy, drama and factual shows which were originally created by its in-house teams".

Previous shows which have been put out to tender include Casualty, Blue Peter, DIY SOS, Fake Or Fortune and Mastermind. Most recently, it was announced Doctor Who would be put out to competitive tender as part of efforts to revive the long-running sci-fi series following the departure of Russell T Davies and Ncuti Gatwa.

Read more: Silent Witness to be put out to tender by BBC

Strictly Come Dancing returns to iPlayer and BBC One in September 2026, with presenter Emma Willis, professional dancer Johannes Radebe and comedian Josh Widdicombe presiding over the ballroom in spectacular style.

The esteemed judging panel of Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, Anton Du Beke and Head Judge Shirley Ballas who will be casting a watchful eye over the performances each week, giving their expert view on the dances and delivering their all-important scores.

But who'll be hoping to impress them and claim ballroom glory when Strictly returns? The launch show will record on Wednesday 9th September and is then expected to air Saturday 19th September on BBC One. The show then goes live from the following week, up until the final on Saturday 19th December.

At time of writing, the celebrities confirmed for this year's series so far are: Lacey Turner, Dani Dyer, Will Best, Delta Goodrem, Chris Appleton and Cach Mercer. Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke return to form the judging panel.

Strictly Come Dancing returns Saturday 19th September on BBC One and iPlayer.