The BBC has issued a statement after rumours of ‘seismic’ changes affecting Strictly Come Dancing.
BBC bosses have spoken out after Strictly Come Dancing rumours (Image: BBC)
The BBC has shut down any rumours circulating about a major Strictly Come Dancing change.
The beloved competition’s final is just days away, with George Clarke and partner Alexis Warr, Karen Carney and Carlos Gu, and Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin taking to the dancefloor one last time in a bid to win the glitterball trophy and follow in the footsteps of Dianne Buswell and Chris McCausland.
So far, Strictly has been thrown into turmoil this year, with the news that Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly are stepping down as hosts and four stars were forced to withdraw.
This comes after various scandals plagued Strictly in previous seasons, which led to professional dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice being axed from the line-up, while celebrity Wynne Evans was dropped from the live tour following “inappropriate” comments which he later apologised for.
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Earlier today, it was claimed Strictly bosses were eyeing up a major change, with insiders suggesting the dance contest could move to across the country.
Reports claimed that Kate Phillips, the BBC’s Chief Content Officer was “thinking seriously” about relocating to Media City in Salford, Greater Manchester, instead of Elstree Studios in Hertfordshire, where the show is currently filmed.
A source told The Sun: “A shift to Salford would be seismic. It would also make sense on many levels, but mostly from a PR perspective.
“It’s a clear statement of intent from the Beeb, who want to draw a line under the show’s troubled time at Elstree.
The Strictly final is days away (Image: BBC)
“There is a lingering sense of anguish that now seems to hover around the show and it’s one that bosses really want to dispel.”
They added that it would be “the perfect time to introduce other big changes” amid Tess and Claudia’s exit, which is just days away.
The source also said the move north would be “logical” and “safeguard” Strictly’s future.
However, the BBC has shut down reports, sharing in a statement with The Mirror: “There are no plans to move Strictly Come Dancing, any suggestion is pure speculation.”
WalesOnline has approached the BBC for comment.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are leaving Strictly at the end of this series (Image: BBC/Kieron McCarron)
This comes after reports that the BBC is choosing between ten presenters to take over Tess and Claudia, whose replacements have yet to be announced.
Names including Zoe Ball, Bradley Walsh, Alex Jones and Alan Carr have all been thrown around, while Tess and Claudia admitted their final show is set to be emotional.
Claudia shared: “I think we will be emotional, but of course, it won’t be about us, it’ll be about the winners, so that’s quite good,” to which Tess said: “We’re not allowed to cry.”
The Traitors host added: “But afterwards, we will hold each other very tight and cry. It’s a lot.”
Strictly Come Dancing’s final airs on Saturday, 20 December, at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.