Spinoff

Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly getting a new spin-off show, its first new show in 22 years, and it will be led by pro dancer Dianne Buswell

Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly getting a new spin-off show, 22 years after It Takes Two launched. According to TV insiders, the BBC’s dance competition will launch Strictly Pro Dance Off, led by popular star Dianne Buswell.

The show would see Strictly’s pro dancers go head-to-head in dance challenges and would launch alongside the next series, which launches this Saturday.

In it, a ‘teacher pro’ would show a dance routine to two other stars, who would then perform it on the dancefloor, with the ‘teacher’ picking who did it best. The winner would go on to the next week to face another star. Each duel is set to last seven minutes, so the show is short and draws in the social media generation.

According to The Sun, a source said the goal was to appeal to a younger audience. “It’s obviously part of the renewed drive to bring in a younger market to the show, which, along with hiring more influencers to compete, is seen as future-proofing the contest,” the source explained.

They added that there would be “inevitable” comparisons to the US version of Dancing With The Stars, as their series, The Next Pro, also featured professional dancers competing in head-to-head challenges. The source acknowledged that they were “different formats” but said the focus on the pros would still cause some to see similarities.

The source also said that Strictly was putting more of a focus on the pro dancers as they are aware that much of the appeal of the show comes from the public’s love for pros like Dianne.

Another popular pro dancer is Johannes Radebe, but he will not have a partner this year – as he has been announced as one of the three new hosts.

Emma Willis and Josh Widdicombe are the other two, replacing Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly. Unlike Claudia and Tess, who had fixed roles on the dancefloor and in the ‘Claudetorium’, Emma, Josh and Johannes will operate in a more fluid team.

There are set to be a lot of changes to the hosting roles this year. Emma previously revealed that she and her co-hosts would be dancing as well, which Tess and Claudia didn’t do. “We have to dance in the opening show, the three of us together have some choreography,” she said.

Johannes seemed excited by the plans. “Can you imagine?” he laughed. “For my own mental health and well-being, I need to be shaking my tush. You’ll see me, and not only me, in the launch show — there’s going to be more dancing than you’ve ever seen.”

The three of them also shared that Claudia and Tess sent them good luck messages. Emma said: “They have been in touch with all of us, sending love and congratulations and just saying enjoy it – it’s so fun.”

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .

Comedian Nick Mohammed, who appeared on Celebrity Traitors towards the end of last year, will act as host in the new stage production based on the hit game show

Nick Mohammed will take on the role of the host in the new stage show The Traitors – Acts Of Betrayal at the Gillian Lynne Theatre, London.

The comedian and Ted Lasso actor, 45, was a contestant on The Celebrity Traitors where he reached the final but lost to fellow comedian Alan Carr. The Traitors host Claudia Winkleman formally swore Mohammed in during a video filmed at Ardross Castle in the Scottish Highlands, where the BBC show is filmed.

In the video, former Strictly Come Dancing host Claudia says: “Nick Mohammed, you stand before me. You have been chosen to take this game to the West End. Eight shows a week, no retakes, no edits, no mercy.”

She then pronounces him a Traitors host and hands him a cloak At the end of the clip, she jokingly says: “I’m out of a job.”

Written by John Finnemore and directed by Robert Hastie, The Traitors – Acts Of Betrayal is a cycle of five new plays, each playing out an entire game of The Traitors, traitors chosen, players banished and murdered, a winner crowned, in one evening.

Nick Mohammed said: “At first, I didn’t want to believe that a series of fictional plays based on The Traitors could ever contain as many brilliant twists and turns as the real thing – or be quite as compelling.

“But John Finnemore has crafted an absolute masterpiece: a cycle of five plays that are each as funny as they are moving, and of course, deeply, deeply unpredictable!

“And under the direction of the brilliant Robert Hastie, I couldn’t be more delighted to be joining such an original and wildly ambitious show.

“To take on Claudia’s role, as it were, is not just a privilege but a real challenge as an actor – I simply don’t have enough hair! But I will do my utmost not to disappoint.

“Either way, this time round, I promise not to let down the whole nation right at the very end. Now let the game begin…”

The production also does something television cannot: it answers the question of who would have won if different players had been chosen as the Traitors.

From Monday to Friday the story begins identically but takes five different paths. Characters banished or murdered early in one version emerge victorious in another.

On Saturdays the audience decides who will wear the cloak, and their choice determines which of the five plays unfolds that day. The stage production begins previews from May 11 2027, with opening night on June 8 2027.

Tickets are on sale now at thetraitorsonstage.com.

Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads .