Strictly Come Dancing finals to be moved for World Cup?

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief

Published: August 26 2022 | 16:15

Last updated: August 27 2022 | 12:43

Strictly Come Dancing finals to be moved for World Cup?

The later episodes of Strictly Come Dancing could be moved out of Saturday night primetime to make way for the World Cup.

This year's final few episodes of Strictly Come Dancing could be moved out of Saturday night primetime to make way for the World Cup, it has emerged.

The new series begins next month and usually airs every Saturday and Sunday night until Christmas as the flagship show of BBC One's autumn schedules.

This year, however, the World Cup is taking place in November and December in Qatar - potentially causing havoc with the schedules for the BBC and ITV, which will jointly broadcast the tournament.

Strictly appears to have an uninterrupted run up to and including the live show on Saturday, November 26 - although the results show on the following day may have to be moved earlier as the BBC intends to show the game between Spain and Germany, which kicks off at 7pm.

The following two weekends may prove problematic, however, with a round-of-16 game scheduled for 7pm on Saturday, December 3 and a quarter-final the following Saturday, December 10 at 7pm.

The first game of those two will not involve either England or Wales, although the second could feature either England or Wales if they win their group and the first knockout game.

The BBC is currently accepting applications for studio audience tickets to Strictly as far as the November 26 show but has yet to announce plans beyond that.