Strictly Christmas Special Returns To Elstree

BBC Studios and Post Production (BBC S&PP) has provided full studio and technical and services at Elstree Studios for two of BBC One's Christmas and New Year scheduling highlights this year – Top of the Pops and Strictly Come Dancing Christmas specials.

Top of the Pops returned to Elstree for a third consecutive year, and was filmed at Stage 9. The show was hosted over two back-to-back recordings, deploying a seven camera set up that included two jibs, two hand-helds and three peds, and making full use of the HD galleries. Utilising additional space at Elstree Studios, the adjacent Stage 8 was transformed into a holding area for the 200-strong audience.

Already at home in the 15,825 square foot George Lucas Stage 2, the Strictly Christmas Special used the same workflow that has been utilised and perfected over the past series. The camera set-up consisted of a 30' MovieBird Technocrane, four pedestal cameras, a radio Steadicam and four handheld/lightweight tripod cameras capture the action.

"We're thrilled to be facilitating these two iconic festive specials again and their return to Elstree is testament to the expertise our team have in delivering large-scale entertainment programming," said Meryl McLaren, Commercial Manager at BBC S&PP.

Hosted by Reggie Yates and Fearne Cotton, the Top of the Pops specials will air on Christmas and New Year's Day and feature performances from Coldplay, The Vamps and Ellie Goulding, as well as the Christmas Number 1.

On Christmas Day, the Strictly Come Dancing Special sees Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman host proceedings from a festooned dancefloor. Judges Darcey Bussell, Len Goodman, Bruno Tonioli and Craig Revel Horwood join the festivities and critique six previous stars of the Strictly dancefloor, who compete to be crowned Christmas champions 2015 and lift the Silver Star trophy.

(JP/LM)