The iconic Blackpool week on Strictly Come Dancing has been axed this year, the BBC has confirmed.

The coronavirus pandemic has already caused the show to be shortened and delayed by four weeks this year and now the annual trip to Blackpool at the midway point of the series has also been scrapped.

Confirming the news to the Radio Times, a BBC spokesperson insisted that the seaside resort will still be 'celebrated' in the new series, albeit from Hertfordshire instead.

"Blackpool is a milestone moment in every series of Strictly that our audience, our celebs and professional dancers look forward to," said the spokesperson.

"Whilst we'll be unable to physically go to Blackpool this series, we'll still be celebrating this iconic venue and bringing it to life from our studio in Elstree."

Caroline Quentin, Nicola Adams and Jamie Laing are among the stars who will be taking to the dancefloor when the show begins at the end of October.