Strictly Come Dancing bosses announce a new spin-off show fronted by TikTok star in a bid 'pull in younger viewers' after fresh hosts flopped on debut of revamped series

2 weeks ago 19

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have announced a new spin-off show fronted by a TikTok star in a bid 'pull in younger viewers'.

It comes after the series launched on Saturday night with new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe.

However, the revamped line-up failed to deliver the ratings boost BBC bosses had hoped for, while fans questioned the 'awkward' three-presenter format.

Now the BBC have announced a new show, Strictly: Lights Up, which will air on BBC iPlayer every Sunday night after the results show has finished.

It will be hosted by TikTok comedian Abi Clarke, 30, and presenter Tyler West, 30, who competed on the show back in 2022.

Abi is thought to appeal to a younger audience after she achieved fame through her viral comedy sketches on TikTok.

Strictly Come Dancing bosses have announced a new spin-off show, Strictly: Lights Up, fronted by TikTok star Abi Clarke and presenter Tyler West

It comes after the series launched on Saturday with new hosts Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe – but the revamped line-up failed to deliver the ratings boost

Abi began gaining massive traction during the lockdowns during the Covid pandemic and now has a staggering 921,000 followers and more than 29.5 million likes on the platform.

The spin-off will see the pair get the immediate reactions from the night's eliminated couple, their dance off opponents and interview the judges, new hosts, other Strictly stars and studio guests.

Alongside Strictly: Lights Up there'll be new weekly training room episodes, where Abi visits different Strictly couples in rehearsals; plus a new weekly highlights show to round-up the week of Strictly Come Dancing.

The BBC have also launched Strictly Pro Dance Off, which will air on CBBC. The seven minute episodes see three of the professional dancers step into a virtual Strictly ballroom for the ultimate dance challenge.

A source told The Sun: 'This will delight the Strictly fandom and it’s obviously part of the renewed drive to bring in a younger market to the show which, along with hiring more to compete, is seen as future-proofing the contest.

'But there will also, inevitably, be comparisons drawn between this show and the Dancing With The Stars’ spin-off The Next Pro which has just launched in the US.

'Though they’re different formats, they both focus on the pros rather than the celebrity contestants of the main shows, they also both recognise how the pros on the shows capture the imagination of viewers as much as the stars who take part.'

The new spin-offs are part of a huge shake-up for the series. After a massive bloodbath of seasoned pros, five new professional dancers have been introduced.

Bosses have also pivoted to sign stars that will help bring the show into the social media age.

Abi is thought to appeal to a younger audience after she achieved fame through her viral comedy sketches on TikTok

Tyler West, 30, competed on the show back in 2022,and will co-host the show alongside Abi

Strictly also welcomed five new professional dancers to the series after a dramatic cull to seasoned pros last year

On Saturday, the pre-recorded launch show peaked at 5.8million viewers, according to overnight figures, up slightly on last year’s peak of 5.6million.

However, the episode averaged at 5.3million viewers, down from 5.4million a year ago.

While the peak figure represents a small rise on last year, it remains well below the figures recorded before the programme was hit by a series of controversies.

This includes allegations about the treatment of celebrity contestants and the culture behind the scenes, leading to the departure of professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima and prompting the BBC to introduce tougher welfare measures.

Prior to the string of scandals, the Strictly launch peaked at 6.7 million viewers and averaged 6.3 million in 2023.

Bosses will have hoped that a fresh format and new hosting line-up could tempt lapsed viewers back to the BBC One favourite. However, the overnight figures suggest the changes have yet to produce a significant ratings resurgence.

Pre-recorded last week, the episode opened with a dance number from the professionals, including the five new dancers, as well as the judges and the new hosts.

The 15 nervous celebrities also found out who they will be dancing with for, potentially, 13 weeks as they vie for the Glitterball trophy.

The trio have taken over from Tess Daly and Claudia, who left the BBC show at the end of the 2025 series.

STRICTLY COME DANCING 2026: MEET THE CONTESTANTS

LACEY TURNER

AGE: 38

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Stacey Slater on BBC's EastEnders

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I'm so excited and terrified at the same time but I've had so many friends do Strictly and I thought it was about time that I plunked up the courage and made my way onto that dance floor.'

DELTA GOODREM

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Played Nina Tucker in Neighbours and has released eight music albums

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been incredibly honoured to perform on many different stages throughout my career - from tv, theatre, film sets, to touring my own shows around the world, there is however one stage I’ve never stepped onto and that is the ballroom floor!'

CACH MERCER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Won Love Island 2025 and is a TikTok influencer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching the show with my family and am so excited to now be part of the cast. Dancing is a huge passion of mine and I can’t wait to learn Ballroom and do the Foxtrot for the first time!'

DAME SARAH STOREY

AGE: 48

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Britain's most successful Paralympian

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Embarking on a new challenge so soon after stepping down as an athlete is hugely exciting.'

BETHANY ANTONIA

AGE: 28

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Plays Lady Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have grown up watching Strictly, and I am so excited to take the challenge on and (hopefully!) learn a new skill.'

GRAEME 'THE DOGFATHER' HALL

AGE: 59

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Channel 5 series Dogs Behaving (Very) Badly

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I have watched the show for years, so to be a part of it feels like a very exciting challenge, albeit more than a bit nerve-wracking!'

TABBY STOECKER

AGE: 25

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Olympic champion skeleton racer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve had the wildest year of my life so far, so to be rounding it off with a childhood dream of dancing in the Strictly ballroom is surreal and I can’t wait to get stuck in!'

MELANIE WALTERS

AGE: 64

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Playing Gwen West in BBC sitcom Gavin & Stacey

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Performing in Pantomime for the last 15 years, my Strictly ‘fix’ has always been watching in a dressing room rather than my front room.'

DANI DYER

AGE: 30

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Winning Love Island and being the daughter of actor Danny Dyer

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am so excited to be back in the ballroom this September! I just cannot wait to get my dancing shoes back on and hopefully this time around I can actually make it to week one!'

CHRIS APPLETON

AGE: 43

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hairdresser to the stars - including Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’m thrilled to be joining Strictly and coming home to the UK for this incredible experience. I’ve always believed that the best things happen when you take a chance and try something new.'

WILL BEST

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Hosts Big Brother and previously TV

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I’ve been lucky to do lots of live telly before, but absolutely nothing like this. And I cannot wait!'

JAIME WINSTONE

AGE: 41

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Starring in films such as Kidulthood and Tomb Raider

WHY STRICTLY?: 'I am no stranger to a dance floor, but the ballroom is a whole new world for me.'

SHAUN WRIGHT-PHILLIPS

AGE: 44

BEST KNOWN FOR?: Footballer who played for the likes of Chelsea and Manchester City

WHY STRICTLY?: 'Strictly is definitely outside my comfort zone, but I’m super excited to get started and really looking forward to the challenge!'