Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ

This year's Strictly set to be the best yet with a spectacular live programme from Wembley Arena in aid of Children in Need and a return to Blackpool for the grand final, broadcast in dazzling 3D

Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One's Saturday night spectacular Strictly Come Dancing returns to screens this autumn with its biggest ever programme broadcast live from Wembley Arena, followed by the live grand final from Blackpool's world famous Tower Ballroom, which will be shown for the first time ever in dazzling 3D.

Raising the stakes for the celebrity dancers and their professional partners, the pressure will be turned up for the Wembley extravaganza, as the couples waltz their way across the biggest ever dance floor in the programme's history, while trying to impress the biggest ever audience of around 6,500 Strictly fans – the largest in the programme's nine series – and the many millions more at home.

The Wembley extravaganza takes place midway through the series on Saturday 19 November. Tickets will be sold to the public with all proceeds going to the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Charity, Children in Need.

And in another Strictly first, the final will be foxtrotting into front rooms across the country in 3D, via the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's HD Channel, bringing the magic of Blackpool's ballroom to life for fans to enjoy from the comfort of their own homes.

Viewers will see the finalists battle it out live from the Tower Ballroom, as they compete for this year's prestigious glitterball trophy and the chance to be crowned winner of Strictly Come Dancing 2011. The free-to-air broadcast of the final in 3D will be available to anyone who has access to a 3D TV set and to HD channels.

Host, Sir Bruce Forsyth, said: "I'm delighted that we will be going to Wembley for this year's Strictly. When I first got the call I thought it was to play football! I've always said our live audiences should be bigger and you can't get bigger than Wembley.

"I'm a bit doubtful of being in 3D because I've never been in 3D before. I hope my chin doesn't knock people off their sofas at home."

Danny Cohen, Controller, Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One, said: "Strictly Come Dancing live in front of around 6,500 fans is going to be a fantastic moment for Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One as will the Blackpool final and its broadcast in 3D. These two special moments will see the drama, excitement and tension both for our celebrities and our audience go up another level. I'm sure this year's celebrities and their partners will rise to the challenge and put on the show of their lives."

Moira Ross, Executive Producer, Strictly Come Dancing, said: "While many of our celebrities will be used to performing in front of big crowds as part of their day jobs, who knows how they will fare when they have to foxtrot in front of Strictly's biggest ever live audience of around 6,500 fans… I'm sure they will relish the chance and one thing, which is guaranteed, it will be a fantastic programme.

"And returning to Blackpool for the final will see our winning couple crowned in style with the 3D broadcast giving viewers the chance to experience the dancing in a whole new dimension."

Notes to Editors

Children in Need. All profits from ticket sales will go to CiN. Tickets will be allocated via a ballot and more information will be available on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ website shortly.

The very successful Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour will return to UK arenas in January 2012. Operated by Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Worldwide in partnership with Stage Entertainment and McIntyre Entertainment Group, the Live Tour is entirely separate from the Children in Need Special and receives no public funding. Details of venues, dates and ticket availability for the 2012 Live Tour will be announced separately later in the year.

3D. The Strictly Come Dancing finals will be available in 3D (subject to homes having a 3D television with HD built in or a 3D TV connected to an HD box and a pair of 3D glasses) on the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ HD channel – the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ's High Definition channel available through Freesat channel 109, Freeview channel 54, Sky channel 169 and Virgin Media channel 187.

The free-to-air broadcast of the final in 3D will be available to anyone who has access to a 3D TV set and to HD channels, regardless of which digital TV provider they use.

It is one of a small number of 3D TV editorial experiments the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ is currently undertaking, on behalf of licence fee payers.

The entire series of Strictly Come Dancing is also being simulcast in HD on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One HD which will screen the finals in HD on Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

Coverage of the finals will also be available in Standard Definition (SD) on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One and in High Definition (HD) on Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ One HD

RB/CI2