Abi Clarke Shocks BBC With TikTok Twist In Strictly Lights Up

BBC's flagship dance competition has added a new spin‑off series to its lineup. The new show, titled **Strictly: Lights Up**, will debut on Sunday evenings on the broadcaster’s streaming platform, BBC iPlayer.

The program is hosted by TikTok comedian **Abi Clarke** and former contestant **Tyler West**.

The move follows last week’s launch of Strictly Come Dancing's current season, which introduced a new three‑presenter team of Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Viewers complained that the trio felt awkward and the ratings did not rise as BBC executives had hoped.

Strictly: Lights Up is intended to attract a younger demographic by featuring a host with a massive social‑media following—Clarke has 921,000 TikTok followers and more than 29.5 million likes. The show will deliver instant reactions from eliminated couples, judge interviews and studio guest appearances.

## Background & Context

The new spin‑off arrives after the launch episode of Strictly's latest series peaked at 5.8 million viewers, a slight increase over last year’s 5.6 million peak but a decline in the average audience to 5.3 million from 5.4 million.

Those figures are still below the pre‑controversy highs of 6.7 million peak and 6.3 million average seen in 2023.

Strictly Come Dancing launched in 2004 as a partnership between the BBC and ITV, bringing ballroom and Latin dance to a mainstream audience. Over the years it evolved from a simple competition into a cultural institution, launching careers for both celebrities and professional dancers.

The series has long been praised for its inclusive format, allowing people of all ages and backgrounds to experience the thrill of performance on a grand stage.

However, recent seasons have faced a different set of challenges.

The 2022‑23 season was marred by allegations about the treatment of celebrity contestants and backstage culture, prompting the departure of two high‑profile professionals—Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima—and the implementation of stricter welfare safeguards by the BBC.

These incidents sparked public debate about workplace safety in television production and forced the network to re‑evaluate its internal protocols.

In response, the BBC undertook a comprehensive overhaul of the show’s structure. Five new pros were introduced after a major cull of long‑time performers, signalling a broader strategy to refresh the show’s appeal.

The new roster includes rising stars from diverse dance disciplines, bringing fresh choreography and stylistic to the competition.

The launch of Strictly: Lights Up is part of this larger revitalisation effort.

By pairing a charismatic TikTok presence with Tyler West—who previously danced with professional partner Pasha Kovalev in 2022—the programme seeks to blend the familiarity of the main series with a more informal, behind‑the‑scenes narrative that resonates with digital‑native audiences.

## What People Are Saying

A source told *The Sun* that the launch of Strictly: Lights Up will “delight the Strictly fandom” and is part of a renewed drive to bring in a younger market. The source added that comparisons will inevitably be drawn with the US spin‑off of Dancing With The Stars, *The Next Pro*.

The source also noted that while both programs focus on the pros rather than celebrity contestants, they acknowledge that professional dancers capture viewers’ imagination as much as the stars who compete.

Social media reactions to the new host lineup have been mixed. On Twitter, users applauded Abi Clarke’s infectious energy and her ability to translate ballroom excitement into bite‑size, shareable moments.

One user commented, “If you’ve never seen Strictly, this is the perfect entry point—she keeps it real and funny.” In contrast, a segment of long‑time viewers expressed frustration with the three‑presenter format introduced in the opening episode of the main series.

A Reddit thread titled “Three hosts = 0 chemistry” saw over 2,000 comments arguing that the lack of rapport among Willis, Widdicombe, and Radebe undermined the show’s charm.

The fan reaction to Tyler West as co‑host has also spurred conversation. Fans of his 2022 performance with Pasha Kovalev noted his natural charisma and deep understanding of dance technique.

A TikTok user compiled a montage of West’s best moments from the main series, pairing them with upbeat music, and it quickly amassed 1.3 million likes. Others criticized the decision, suggesting that a full‑time professional dancer might offer more technical insight than West.

Abi Clarke’s background as a TikTok comedian also fuels speculation about the format. She first gained prominence with her viral “Dance Like No One Is Watching” challenge, which garnered millions of views in weeks.

Her blend of humor and dance knowledge positions her uniquely to bridge the gap between traditional broadcast audiences and younger viewers who consume content primarily on streaming platforms and social media.

Industry insiders have noted that Strictly: Lights Up could influence the trajectory of reality‑dance programming across Europe. One executive commented, “The focus on pros and backstage footage aligns with what we’re seeing in other markets.

If this format succeeds, it could set a new standard for ancillary content in televised competitions.” This perspective is echoed by dance academies that have observed a surge in online lessons and behind‑the‑scenes content as a result of the franchise’s expanded offering.

## What Happens Next

Strictly: Lights Up will air every Sunday night immediately after the main series results show, offering a behind‑the‑scenes look at eliminated couples, judges, and studio guests. The programme will also feature weekly training‑room episodes in which Clarke visits different couples during rehearsals.

In addition, a new weekly highlights show will round up the week’s Strictly Come Dancing action, and a separate CBBC series called **Strictly Pro Dance Off** will air seven‑minute episodes of three professionals competing in a virtual ballroom.

These spin‑offs are part of a broader strategy to future‑proof the franchise, with BBC executives hoping the combination of social‑media talent and new content will entice lapsed viewers back to the BBC One staple.

The *Lights Up* format also includes interactive elements that reward viewer participation. Each episode features a “Fan’s Choice” segment where audiences vote in real time for which professional’s rehearsal footage they’d like to see next.

The results are streamed live, creating a shared viewing experience that blurs the line between studio and home.

Behind the camera, the production team has introduced a mobile‑centric editing workflow. Clips are shot on 4K smartphones and stitched together This approach aligns with the franchise’s goal of being instantly shareable across platforms like TikTok and Instagram Reels.

From a commercial perspective, the spin‑offs open new avenues for brand partnerships. A dancewear company has secured sponsorship rights to feature its latest line during rehearsal segments, while a streaming service has announced exclusive early access to *Lights Up* content for its premium members.

These collaborations demonstrate how the franchise is adapting to the evolving media landscape, where traditional advertising models are increasingly supplemented by cross‑platform partnerships.

In terms of industry impact, the Strictly brand’s diversification signals a shift in how long‑running reality shows can remain relevant.

By integrating social‑media talent and interactive viewer elements, the BBC is testing a model that could be replicated across other formats—be it talent competitions, cooking shows, or game‑based reality series.

The success or failure of Strictly: Lights Up will likely inform the strategic direction of similar franchises in the coming years.

With Strictly: Lights Up now on iPlayer, the dance competition is poised to broaden its appeal beyond traditional audiences. Whether the move successfully revives viewership numbers remains to be seen, but the BBC’s aggressive refresh strategy signals a clear intent to keep the ballroom buzzing for years to come.