BBC confirms Strictly Come Dancing WILL return in 2020 - but with THIS twist

Strictly Come Dancing logo
(Image credit: BBC)

Strictly Come Dancing is coming back, but there will be one change for fans to get their heads around...

The BBC has confirmed that Strictly Come Dancing will return to our screens later this year - but thanks to the coronavirus pandemic there will be a big change to the usual format.

Strictly Come Dancing fans across the nation have been waiting with baited breath to get confirmation that their favourite dancing contest will be returning to our screens this year.

Strictly Come Dancing

Strictly WILL be back on our screens later this year (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Kieron McCarron)

The return of Strictly Come Dancing in 2020 has been under a cloud of doubt since the coronavirus outbreak.

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Not only have TV studios been closed until recently as the world went into lockdown, but social distancing measures made it impossible to envisage how a dance contest would go ahead.

Social distance dancing

There have been rumours that the professional dancers from Strictly Come Dancing would have to self isolate for two weeks prior to filming, while it has also been suggested isolating might also be required for the celebrity contestants, too.

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 Tess and Claudia

Strictly is returning - but with a difference (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/David Oldham)

But while those rumours are yet to be confirmed, it has been officially announced by the BBC today that the show WILL go ahead - but with one difference.

Strictly's back with a difference

Fans are used to the show running from early September when the launch show is aired, until the week before Christmas, when the final is shown on a Saturday night.

However, this year, because of the current situation, the series will be shorter than normal.

In an official statement a BBC spokesperson announced: "The Strictly Come Dancing team are doing everything they can to bring the nation plenty of Strictly magic later this year.

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 - Judges Group

Motsi, Bruno, Shirley and Craig will be back later in the year (Picture: BBC) (Image credit: BBC/Ray Burmiston)

"To ensure we deliver the high standards audiences know and love, and in light of the ongoing considerations around COVID-19, this year's series of Strictly will have a slightly shorter run than usual.

"The safety of our cast and crew is of the utmost importance to us and further updates will be made in due course."

So while we might not have as many weeks with Strictly Come Dancing on our screens, we will still be able to enjoy the glitz, glamour, fake tan and sparkles. Phew!

Claire Crick
Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch

Claire is Assistant Managing Editor at What To Watch and has been a journalist for over 15 years, writing about everything from soaps and TV to beauty, entertainment, and even the Royal Family. After starting her career at a soap magazine, she ended up staying for 13 years, and over that time she’s pulled pints in the Rovers Return, sung karaoke in the Emmerdale village hall, taken a stroll around Albert Square, and visited Summer Bay Surf Club in sunny Australia. 


After learning some tricks of the trade at websites Digital Spy, Entertainment Daily, and Woman & Home, Claire landed a role at What’s On TV and whattowatch.com writing about all things TV and film, with a particular love for Aussie soaps, Strictly Come Dancing and Bake Off


She’s interviewed everyone from June Brown — AKA Dot Cotton — to Michelle Keegan, swapped cooking tips with baking legend Mary Berry backstage at the NTAs, and danced the night away with soap stars at countless awards bashes. There’s not a lot she doesn’t know about soaps and TV and can be very handy when a soapy question comes up in a pub quiz! 


As well as all things soap-related, Claire also loves running, spa breaks, days out with her kids, and getting lost in a good book.