Tonight, as 15 celebrities and their professional dance partners take the Strictly floor, bringing glitter, glamour and glee into UK living rooms, it’s worth remembering that the show’s appeal is not merely British.
It was the BBC that came up with the format, which pairs celebrities with professional dancers for a televised ballroom dancing competition. The first series began on 15 May 2004. Later that year, Australia became the second country to hit the dancefloor.
Since then the BBC has sold the concept to more than 50 countries on five continents. It’s called Dancing with the Stars in Australia and the US, Let’s Dance in Germany and Sweden, Bailando por un Sueño in Argentina and Colombia, and Parahandes in Armenia, just to name a few.
Some countries – including the UK, US, Brazil and Sweden – have aired the show for several consecutive years. The UK show is the longest-running, but the US has shown the most seasons: 22 in its 12-year history.
Other countries have taken breaks. Colombia aired three series in 2006 but then stopped until 2016. While some countries have dropped the show, others are only just stepping up: Ireland is due to air its first series in early 2017.
Generally speaking – and of course, this is subjective – the winners are celebrities only in their respective countries. Jennifer Grey (of Dirty Dancing fame) and Donny Osmond, both of whom won the US title, are two of the few exceptions.
The upcoming British version will include, among others, Olympic athletes long-jumper Greg Rutherford and gymnast Claudia Fragapane, former shadow chancellor Ed Balls and singer Anastacia.
