The BBC has confirmed plans for a special "countdown" episode of Strictly Come Dancing to air this Christmas.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the main series has been reduced from 13 weeks to nine and is not due to start until the end of October, while the traditional Christmas Day episode has been axed for this year.

A four-part series of highlights shows, Strictly: The Best Of, will help fill the gap in the schedules from next month and now a further show has been announced for Christmas.

Strictly: The Christmas Countdown will present a rundown of the 25 most memorable routines from the 16 years of the show, as voted for by viewers, with talking head contributions from the judges, dancers and former contestants.

The highlights shows are expected to pay tribute to 2014 winner Caroline Flack, who passed away earlier this year.

> Every name in the frame for this year's Strictly Come Dancing