Overview
- The BBC will debut Strictly Pro Dance Off on Saturday, September 19 as a seven-minute segment on CBBC’s Saturday Mash-Up! with episodes then available on BBC iPlayer.
- Each episode pairs one lead Strictly professional with two other pros to teach a routine and then stage a short dance battle judged with Strictly score paddles.
- Episode one features Dianne Buswell leading a Jive with Kai Widdicington and Lauren Oakley taking part in the lesson and the dance-off.
- The spin-off will include all returning professionals alongside five new dancers — Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita — reflecting a wider roster reshuffle for the main series.
- Producers and BBC children’s commissioners say the format aims to deepen younger viewers’ engagement by putting pros front and centre and by using live CBBC slots and iPlayer to cross-promote the main Strictly launch night.