An unnamed source told The Sun that moving the show north would be a clear statement of intent from the BBC who want to draw a line under the show’s recent scandals

Strictly Come Dancing's 2025 semi-final
The BBC has denied plans to relocate Strictly Come Dancing north (file image)(Image: BBC)

The BBC has denied plans to relocate Strictly Come Dancing north, but a source said a move to Manchester is being “seriously” considered by a top boss after several scandals have rocked the hit dance show.

The dance competition show has long been filmed at a studio in Elstree, Hertfordshire. But reports suggest the BBC’s Chief Content Officer Kate Phillips is “thinking seriously” about relocating to Media City in Salford, Greater Manchester, The Mirror reports.

The speculation is the show would move to Dock 10, a purpose built studio complex in Media City. A source told MailOnline: “She [Kate Phillips] is thinking about it seriously.”

The show has been the centre of several controversies in recent years and the source, who was not named, told The Sun: “It would also make sense on many levels, but mostly from a PR perspective. It’s a clear statement of intent from the Beeb, who want to draw a line under the show’s troubled time at Elstree.”

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 | Daily Mail Online

“There is a lingering sense of anguish that now seems to hover around the show and it’s one that bosses really want to dispel.”

The corporation has denied plans to relocate. A BBC spokesperson told The Mirror: “There are no plans to move Strictly Come Dancing, any suggestion is pure speculation.”

Wherever the show is based, there will be new presenters from the next series onwards after the announcement that Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman are stepping away from their duties.

Speaking to Reach about Tess and Claudia’s decision to leave the show on behalf of Zingo Bingo, Ian said: “I think it was a big, big shock for everybody that they decided to leave but when you’ve been doing something so long.

Strictly Come Dancing top bosses 'seriously' thinking about Manchester move, reports say - Yahoo News UK

“Tess has been doing it for 21 years, it’s a long time to be doing any job. She might want to just move on to do different things and Claudia’s got Traitors, which is huge now So I can understand why they made the decision.

“I think they’ve been amazing but wouldn’t it be nice to have two men presenting this time just to spice it up? It’s been very much female presenter led.

“The main show and It Takes Two, so it would be nice to see some male presenters back in there just to balance it up. I think the public would like to see it.”