Oh oh! It looks like Strictly Come Dancing could be moving to another channel, after it was revealed that the BBC could be putting the show up for sale so it can be made by an independent company.
The news comes just weeks after The Great British Bake Off’s chaotic move to Channel 4, which saw Mel Giedroyc, Sue Perkins and Mary Berry chuck in the dish cloth in protest, leaving Paul Hollywood plumping up his dough on his tod.
According to reports government proposals mean the BBC will have to offer outside companies a chance to produce famous shows such as Strictly, Holby City and Songs of Praise, which could mean big changes to the formats.
And Strictly star Bruno Tolioni has stepped up to say that the BBC needs to be careful if they don’t want a backlash from loyal viewers, who wouldn’t to see their favourites shows mucked around with.
“I do understand it, but there are things like the One Show and Strictly which are typical BBC and there would be a huge backlash.” The flamboyant judge told The Sun.
He added: ‘This is a delicate process. [The BBC] could upset a lot of people – it is a very, very delicate situation with Strictly, even more than the Bake Off,’
“The thing is that Strictly is a BBC property, they created the show. It is their format.
“They have to be very careful because Strictly is such is an institution in the UK. It is the people’s show.
“If it was a drama I think it would be easier because any production company could do a great job.”
Bruno also revealed that if the show were to move production companies and potentially channel, he would have to be asked about whether or not he was keen to stay. And if he chose not to, he could leave any time.
“As a performer they have to first ask me to do it, because I am not under contract,” he explained. ‘I do one series at a time, I worked for them for years but I am not under a long running contract like they have in America.
“They would have to ask me first and then I would see if it works for me as well it has in the past. We will cross that bridge when we come to it.”
The BBC’s decision to tender out its series has been met with criticism from those concerned that shows being snapped up by other production companies could result in a change to the look and feel of shows.
A BBC spokesman has stated: “We have 11 years to tender our shows and Strictly hasn’t been considered yet. The BBC owns the rights to Strictly so it will always be a BBC show.”