Strictly Come Dancing to return to a 13-show run this winter and include a trip to Blackpool

Strictly Come Dancing will be back with a bang this winter, with the popular ballroom show believed to be returning for a 13-show run.

The famous dancing competition’s annual trip to Blackpool is also on the schedule, after being scrapped last year in light of the coronavirus pandemic.

BBC bosses are currently in talks with Strictly staff and professional dancers including Katya Jones, 31, ahead of its nineteenth season.

Back: Strictly Come Dancing will return this winter for a 13-show run and BBC bosses are currently in talks with staff and professional dancers including Katya Jones, 31 (pictured)

A source confirmed to The Sun: ‘They’re going to put on a full series this year. That means 13 episodes will and all of the themed weeks.

‘The pinnacle will be the trip to Blackpool and that’s always been the way on Strictly.

‘As things stand, the whole show will head to the North West in November. Everyone is really excited.’

The BBC declined to comment when approached by MailOnline.

Strictly’s eighteenth season faced major setbacks and was forced to go ahead with strict social distancing protocols in place.

Exciting: The famous dancing competition's annual trip to Blackpool is also on the schedule, after being scrapped last year in light of the coronavirus pandemic

Exciting: The famous dancing competition’s annual trip to Blackpool is also on the schedule, after being scrapped last year in light of the coronavirus pandemic

This meant the annual Blackpool trip was scrapped, and the competition only ran for nine episodes.

However, the BBC succeeded in keeping the show on air despite a handful of COVID-19 outbreaks, with the likes of Katya and her celebrity partner, world champion boxer Nicola Adams, 38, testing positive for the virus and leaving the show early.

Popstar HRVY, 22, also tested positive before the show aired, however was able to recover in time to take part.

Last month BBC confirmed the 16 dancers who will hit the dance floor this Autumn, with fan favourites such as Anton Du Beke, Johannes Radebe and Dianne Buswell all back.

It comes after it was reported that BBC bosses were ‘worried’ that Oti, 30, would leave the show after landing a new judging job on ITV’s The Masked Dancer.

But it’s now clear that Oti will be back in the ballroom when the new series kicks off in the autumn after being crowned the champion of the 2020 show with Bill Bailey following her 2019 win with Kelvin Fletcher.

While Anton, 54, is to continue his reign as Strictly Come Dancing’s longest-serving professional dancer by marking his 19th season on the show.

Making up the female pros are Oti, Janette Manrara, Amy Dowden, Dianne Buswell, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova and Nancy Xu.

Here come the girls! Making up the female pros are Amy Dowden, Oti, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Nancy Xu  (pictured L-R in 2020)

Here come the girls! Making up the female pros are Amy Dowden, Oti, Luba Mushtuk, Nadiya Bychkova, Dianne Buswell, Janette Manrara, Karen Hauer, Katya Jones and Nancy Xu  (pictured L-R in 2020) 

While Aljaž Škorjanec, Anton Du Beke, Giovanni Pernice, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Johannes Radebe and Neil Jones make up the male pros.

Sarah James, Executive Producer of BBC Studios said of the news: ‘We are so thrilled to be welcoming back our incredible line-up of professional dancers for 2021.

‘Their passion and dedication for Strictly shone through more than ever last year as they all sacrificed so much to deliver an unforgettable series during unprecedented and challenging times.

‘With so much talent returning to the ballroom, the 2021 series promises more show-stopping choreography, memorable performances and world class dancing.’

Pros: Anton Du Beke, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe make up the male pros (pictured L-R in 2020)

Pros: Anton Du Beke, Gorka Marquez, Graziano Di Prima, Neil Jones, Aljaž Škorjanec, Giovanni Pernice and Johannes Radebe make up the male pros (pictured L-R in 2020) 

Despite 16 pros being announced for the new series, the 2020 show saw just 12 celebrities take to the dance floor instead of the usual 15.

There are normally a number of reserve dancers who perform in the group dances and step in if another pro is unwell or injured.

The 2020 series saw Nancy, Nadiya, Graziano and Neil act as reserve dancers, the three latter stars have previously had celebrity partners on the shows while Nancy, who joined in 2019, is yet to have a pairing.

Delight: Strictly is said to be 'delighted' Oti has decided to take part in the 2021 series after being 'worried' that she would leave (pictured after win with Bill in December)

Delight: Strictly is said to be ‘delighted’ Oti has decided to take part in the 2021 series after being ‘worried’ that she would leave (pictured after win with Bill in December) 

While reigning double champion Oti was paired with Bill, Janette with HRVY, Amy with JJ Chalmers, Dianne with Max George, Karen with Jamie Laing, Katya with Nicola Adams and Luba with Jason Bell.

Aljaž was paired with Clara Amfo on the 2020 series, Anton with Jacqui Smith, Giovanni with Ranvir Singh, Gorka with Maisie Smith and Johannes with Caroline Quentin.

No celebrities for the 2021 series have been announced yet although it was recently reported that Stacey Solomon had been approached to join the upcoming show.

Strict: Strictly introduced an array of strict measures to ensure that the 2020 series could go ahead during the coronavirus crisis (the pros pictured in 2020)

Strict: Strictly introduced an array of strict measures to ensure that the 2020 series could go ahead during the coronavirus crisis (the pros pictured in 2020)