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New Strictly Come Dancing spin-off officially confirmed – kicking off with show legend Dianne Buswell

The pros go head-to-head in a new CBBC dance battle series.

Dianne Buswell posing with her back facing ahead, with her head peeking over her shoulder.

BBC/Ray Burmiston

Published: Thursday, 17 September 2026 at 12:01 pm

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Strictly Come Dancing has announced a brand new spin-off show on CBBC and this time, the pros are at the heart of it.

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Announced ahead of the show's return this weekend, Strictly Pro Dance Off will see the professional dancers go head-to-head in a series of interactive dance battles.

Viewers are encouraged to join in if they can, or sit back and enjoy a bonus Strictly spectacle to their favourite hit tracks.

The seven-minute show will see one Strictly pro joined in the virtual training room by two others to lead a tutorial on a routine, before their two pro students take to the floor to battle it out and impress their teacher, who holds the all-important Strictly score paddles.

Episode 1 will feature Dianne Buswell as the lead pro, with Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley joining her for a Jive.

A group of people in a large crowd all smiling and laughing with their hands in the air.

The cast of Strictly Come Dancing 2026. BBC/Guy Levy

The first broadcast of each episode will go out live during CBBC's Saturday Mash-Up! each week, lining up with the Strictly themes families can look forward to enjoying together in the main show that evening.

The series will feature all the returning professionals alongside the five new professionals – Aleksandra Isaeva, Cristian Priori, Lethabo Monametsi, Maddie Ingoldsby and Mark Karmalita.

Sarah Muller, senior head of commissioning for BBC children’s and education 7+, said: "Strictly Pro Dance Off brings everything children love about Strictly into a short, energetic new format made especially for them.

"Viewers will see the Professional Dancers learning, teaching and getting competitive, while discovering more about the different styles and techniques that bring the ballroom to life."

Strictly Pro Dance Off will launch on Saturday 19 September on CBBC and BBC iPlayer from 9am. Strictly Come Dancing begins on Saturday 19 September at 7:25pm on BBC One and iPlayer.

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Authors

Black and white cut-out portrait headshot of Katelyn Mensah, smiling against a lime green background.

Katelyn MensahSenior Entertainment Writer

Katelyn Mensah is the Senior Entertainment Writer for Radio Times, covering all major entertainment programmes, reality TV shows and the latest hard-hitting documentaries. She previously worked at The Tab, with a focus on reality TV and showbiz news and has obtained a BA (Hons) in Journalism.

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