"Strictly Faces a Pivotal Six Months: Here Are Six Essential Moves Bosses Must Make Before the Big Showdown!"

HOSTS Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were quitting, then a savage cull devastated the show’s troupe of professionals.

Now, after landing zero nominations at the TV for the first time in eight years, One’s could be fighting for survival.

Dianne Buswell is likely to return for the new Strictly seriesCredit: BBC/Ray Burmiston Nikita Kuzmin’s place could be secured by his large social media followingCredit: BBC

The next six months will be , which some already say should be shelved following and harassment claims.

We look at the timetable leading up to the launch of Strictly’s 24th series this – and what must happen to secure its future . . . 

April — New pros

Last year’s Glitterball winner Carlos Gu, who was partnered with former Lioness Karen Carney, insists he might not be on the list of returneesCredit: PA Nadiya Bychkova was recently given the bootCredit: BBC

A STRING of professional dancers have already been as executives try to make a fresh start.

And it seems no one is safe. Even last year’s Glitterball winner – who was partnered with former Lioness – insists he might not be on the list of returnees, which is expected to be published next month.

He said: “Nothing’s been confirmed by the BBC yet, so we’re waiting.

“Being in the position where you don’t know if you’re staying or not is scary. We work so hard in our life, but these things are out of your hands.”

Carlos has had to watch as colleagues including , and were all given the boot. He added: “The last couple of weeks have made me realise the world is not fair to everyone but, when it’s fair to you, you have to be grateful.”

The professionals staying are expected to include and , who have something the show’s executives really desire – a huge presence.

That means bosses are also likely to bring in more pros with big social media followings which, by default, creates a high chance the troupe will feature younger members than before.

But it is a gamble as losing big stars such as Nadiya, Karen and Gorka will only be worthwhile if they can find replace- ments who are able to fill their dance shoes.

If not, it could all have been for nothing.

May — New boss

Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced they were quitting StrictlyCredit: PA Actress Amanda Abbington complained about her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, in 2023Credit: Pixel8000

THE TV industry has been buzzing with gossip about the executive producer of Strictly, Sarah James.

With the departure of several professional dancers, as well as hosts Claudia and Tess waltzing off to pastures new, she is one of the last vestiges of the show’s most troubled years.

There have been rumours Sarah was keen to quit two years ago, but did not want to jump ship when the programme was still in choppy waters.

First, actress complained about her dance partner, , in 2023.

A year later, the BBC apologised to her and upheld verbal bullying and harassment complaints, but cleared Giovanni of the most serious allegations of physical aggression.

Then was sacked for his treatment of dance partner , who he kicked in rehearsals.

In 2024 came Grope-gate, when appeared to slide his hand across the stomach of his pro partner , only for her to remove it in full gaze of the public watching the show live at home.

He was later sacked from the Strictly tour after making a lewd remark at the launch event.

It is believed that Sarah might instigate all the changes to this year’s show, then hand over the reins to a new executive producer before series 24 starts.

Whispers are that an external candidate will be brought in, adding to the sense that the BBC is wiping the slate clean.

It also means they could recruit someone with expertise in making TV and social media, which will prove critical to hooking a new, younger generation of viewers.

June — New regime

A WHOLE new regime is likely to be introduced after the primetime show was blighted by controversy.

Stringent measures were taken to ensure the welfare of pros and dancers in the wake of the Giovanni and Graziano .

Those are likely to be reassessed and potentially tightened further.

Insiders say there is talk of a 360-degree review of how the show is produced, with a view to ensuring that any bad habits from the 22 years it has been on air are not carried forward.

They are also likely to broaden even further the delivery of Strictly, speeding up the shift from watching the traditional Saturday night broadcasts to streaming on iPlayer.

There is likely to be an increased emphasis on placing the show, piecemeal, on social media.

Last year, more than a billion views of clips from Strictly were racked up on , Twitter, Instagram and TikTok.

But they will want to go even further this year.

July — New hosts

Zoe Ball could replace one of the show hostsCredit: Getty Other names being mooted also include Bradley WalshCredit: Getty Emma Willis could also be on the list to replace Tess or ClaudiaCredit: Getty

SPECULATION over who might has been rife.

Some say it will be a hosting duo, others reckon a trio. It has been suggested bosses want a mix of genders, people with live TV experience and a comedian.

Names being mooted include , , and . The latest gossip is that they may not appoint permanent hosts, but pick presenters for this series, then see where they stand after it has aired.

Strictly’s future is likely to depend on who they select to front it, as the hosts have been essential to past successes.

Social media is likely to play a huge part, and executives could select a presenter based on their online popularity. Some have suggested and would be a good fit, as they are likely to appeal to a more youthful viewer.

An influencer with a huge following could be the next host, some believe. Bosses really must make their decision by the or the show’s big return could face a faltering start.

August — New celebrities

George Clarke doing the Charleston with dance pro Alexis WarrCredit: BBC

are increasingly brought in as contestants, with and ’s daughter both doing well.

Last year was a perfect example of harnessing the power of social media, when bosses signed relatively unknown , above doing the Charleston with dance pro .

He finished runner-up, partly thanks to millions of his followers backing him.

The challenge now will be getting the balance right — keeping the traditional, older market while bringing in new fans.

The 2025 line-up was so underwhelming, bookies took bets on that series being the last. Although this seems unlikely, the team behind the show must pull it out of the bag with this year’s contestants.

Strictly is now in a race for TV dominance with which gets bigger A-listers and scored bigger ratings last autumn. But the dance show still has massive appeal and an celebrities clamouring to get on.

With a new start on the horizon, ballroom wannabes may be more willing than ever to sign up. In previous years, when scandal has loomed over the show, that wasn’t always the case.

September — New-look-show

Insiders say a facelift is overdue and that this would be the perfect time to introduce itCredit: PA

THE word in TV circles is that, along with replacement hosts, a new boss, revamped regime, plus a fresh crop of celebs and pros, there will be a refreshed format.

The contest has had various makeovers since launching in 2004, but stayed pretty much unchanged in recent years. So this option is probably the least revolutionary change of them all.

But it is likely to be the most striking alteration once the show launches in September and it will clearly herald a big new start.

Insiders say a facelift is overdue and that this would be the perfect time to introduce it.

Plus, there are constant advances in lighting, production and special effects that could be employed.

After all, Strictly is still the BBC’s flagship entertainment show, so bosses are likely to throw millions at saving it.