BBC bosses ‘want to move Strictly up north’: Plans to film crisis-hit show in Salford’s Media City to make clean break from recent scandals

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BBC executives are considering relocating Strictly Come Dancing to Salford, Manchester. This move is intended to distance the show from recent controversies and help it rebuild its reputation as a flagship entertainment program.

According to sources, Kate Phillips, who leads content at the BBC, is considering moving their most popular show to a new timeslot. A source confirmed she’s giving the idea serious thought.

Currently filmed in Elstree, Hertfordshire, the show is planned to relocate to Dock 10, a dedicated studio complex in Media City. However, a significant number of staff members will not be making the move.

A new head of the show is expected, as many believe current executive producer Sarah James is finishing her time with Strictly.

Honestly, it sounds like she felt obligated to help get things back on track after a really tough 2024. You probably saw the headlines about Graziano Di Prima – he was let go after accusations of kicking his partner, Zara McDermott. He’s always maintained his innocence, but the situation was a mess, and someone needed to provide stability.

Amanda Abbington, an actress on the show, departed during the 2024 season and subsequently stated that her professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, had subjected her to bullying during rehearsals.

Some of her complaints were upheld after an investigation, and he left the show.

Last month, a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing was arrested on suspicion of rape following an incident after a BBC event. This followed another arrest in August involving a different Strictly star, who was also accused of rape and sharing intimate images without consent.

Earlier this year, opera singer Wynne Evans was caught on camera making a sexually suggestive remark at an event for the Strictly Come Dancing tour. Evans maintains he did nothing wrong, but he stepped down from his radio program on the BBC and later revealed he had suicidal thoughts following the incident.

Overall, this year’s show has avoided major scandals, though some discussion continues about whether contestants Lewis Cope and Amber Davies had too much professional dance experience before competing.

The show faced early challenges with injuries to several cast members, including La Voix, Stefan Dennis, and Dani Dyer, all of whom had to leave before filming even began.

This Saturday marks the finale of the show, with footballer Karen Carney, actress Amber Davies, and social media personality George Clarke competing for the Glitterball trophy. It will also be the last episode hosted by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who revealed in September that they’re leaving the show.

Strictly Come Dancing is starting a fresh chapter with a new production team and presenters, replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Many of the people working behind the scenes, at Dock 10, previously gained experience on the show at Elstree.

According to a source, moving to Dock 10 would benefit everyone involved. The studio would get a significantly better financial agreement, and there would be staff reductions in both public-facing and behind-the-scenes roles.

People working on the show say moving production to the North of England would make it easier to cast actors from popular soaps like Emmerdale and Coronation Street, as well as attract famous footballers and their partners from Liverpool and Manchester.

As a lifestyle expert, I see a really smart move brewing for the BBC. Shifting ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ to Manchester isn’t just about location; it’s a brilliant way to show commitment to regional investment, especially as the BBC prepares for those crucial license fee negotiations in 2027. And with Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy being from Manchester herself, I think it’s a move she’d really appreciate – it’s a strong signal that the BBC is serious about spreading opportunities outside of London.

Strictly Come Dancing filmed at BBC TV Centre in White City until 2013, when production relocated to Elstree, near London.

A BBC representative didn’t confirm or deny reports about a potential move to Salford, but stated that there are no current plans for such a relocation.

Any concrete plans will come after a decision is made by Ms. Phillips, and the next BBC director-general may also be consulted.

Tim Davie stepped down last month after controversy over how the Panorama program edited a speech given by Donald Trump. A new director-general isn’t likely to be named until January or February, and Davie will continue in his role until his replacement is found.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m always fascinated by where things happen, and it’s pretty cool to know that so many of our favorite shows are made in one place! Did you know that shows like Who Wants To Be A Millionaire, The 1% Club, and even Match of the Day are all filmed at the Dock 10 studios over in Salford? It’s a real hub for TV production!

BBC Breakfast is broadcast from a purpose built studio on Salford Quay.

Dock 10’s studios could potentially host the show Strictly. Currently, Strictly is filmed on the George Lucas Stage 2 at Elstree, which offers 15,770 square feet of space. Dock 10’s largest studio, HQ1, has 12,540 square feet and can seat up to 1,000 audience members.

Dock 10 is better equipped than Elstree because it has modern, dedicated dressing rooms with enough space for everyone – dancers, celebrities, judges, and presenters. Elstree, being an older facility, has several shortcomings in this area.

Amanda Holden announced on her Heart radio show that she and Alan Carr won’t be applying to take over from Tess and Claudia. She explained that filming commitments for Britain’s Got Talent throughout the summer mean she simply doesn’t have the availability.

Bradley Walsh is currently the favorite to get the job, but Alison Hammond is also a strong contender. Producers believe she’s very down-to-earth and could attract a wider, younger viewership.

The show has updated its format in a few ways, including a new Instant Dance Challenge inspired by the American version of Dancing With The Stars. That show experienced a big jump in viewers when its producers actively encouraged fans to share dance clips and dancer highlights on platforms like TikTok and other social media.

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2025-12-15 23:04