Strictly set for major schedule shake-up on BBC due to World Cup clashes

Strictly Come Dancing fans will find themselves having to tune in on different days to catch episodes in the lead-up to the grand final.

The BBC competition will be moved from its usual Saturday evening slot on more than one occasion to make way for the upcoming World Cup in Qatar, which kicks off on November 20. The huge sporting event being held in winter for the first time ever this year means that some of Strictly's live shows will instead be shown on Friday and Sunday nights in December, in a first for the series.

The World Cup round of 16 starts on Saturday December 3 - and although England or Wales won't be playing in the evening slot if they get through, the home nations could be in action just hours before. BBC bosses have decided to air Strictly's live show on Friday December 2 instead to make way for the event, The Mirror reports.

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Strictly will also be moved for a second time later in December due to the World Cup schedule, as the tournament's quarter finals will be taking place on Saturday December 10. The dancing competition will be shifted to Sunday December 11 to avoid clashes, with the World Cup semi-finals getting under way on Tuesday December 13.

But things will be back to normal again in time for the Strictly live final, which will air on Saturday December 17. This means that Strictly will air live on three different days across as many weeks in December - Friday, then Sunday, then back to Saturday.

A Strictly spokesperson confirmed to The Mirror: "Strictly Come Dancing will continue to bring glitter, glamour and glorious dancing to homes across the nation throughout the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The quarter final of Strictly Come Dancing will now air live on Friday 2 December and the semi-final will now air live on Sunday 11 December on BBC One and BBC iPlayer."

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