Made by Little Dooley, it will waltz its way onto BBC One and BBC iPlayer later in 2022.

This year, thousands of dancers from more than 40 countries will descend - in sequined glory - on the seaside town for the legendary Dance Festival. As our cameras zoom in on some of the competitors, viewers will witness the real-life tears, tribulations and triumphs, the glitz and the glamour of this truly global, high-octane event, where the passion could not be greater, nor the stakes higher.

For almost 100 years this has been one of Britain’s best kept secrets, as dancers have followed their dreams to Blackpool and placed their hopes and ambitions in winning the coveted title of the British Open Champion. Now audiences will be able to quickstep into their extraordinary world and glimpse first hand exactly what it takes to become the very best.

Along the way viewers will meet some of the larger-than-life personalities, influential players, trainers and coaches of ballroom to reveal the inside story of life behind the scenes within this unique and little known culture of competitive ballroom.

Featuring Blackpool in all its glory, Blackpool’s Ballroom Battle is a tribute to a world where dreams are made and broken every year in the dazzling Empress Ballroom of Blackpool, and where what happens on the dancefloor, doesn’t always stay on the dancefloor..

Produced by Stacey Dooley’s company Little Dooley, this one-off programme marks the first entertainment commission for the indie.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, says: “I am so excited to bring Blackpool’s Ballroom Battle to BBC audiences. Little Dooley has done a fantastic job in getting access to the Blackpool Dance Festival, which has long been a hidden and mysterious world to those not in the dancing community.

"In the programme we will get to witness some absolutely thrilling ballroom dancing, and go behind the scenes to see the stamina, hard work and dedication that it takes in order for these spectacular dancers to get to the top.”

Stacey Dooley, Executive Producer for Little Dooley, says: “The minute I was introduced to the extraordinary world of ballroom, and Latin I was hooked! The culture, the passion, the dedication, the anecdotes, the sequins! We are hoping to deliver an insightful, thrilling look into an iconic scene that has until now, felt relatively undiscovered. And I really can't wait!"

Blackpool’s Ballroom Battle is an 1x60’ production for the BBC, made by Little Dooley. It was commissioned by Kate Phillips, in her capacity as BBC Director of Entertainment for the BBC. The Executive Producers for Little Dooley are Stacey Dooley and Wendy Robbins and is directed and produced by Clare Johns.

Broadcast details will be confirmed in due course.