[5] The show was created by Eric Morley, the founder of Miss World,[5] in 1949,[6] and began by broadcasting from regional ballroom studios owned by Mecca, with professional dancers Syd Perkin and Edna Duffield on hand to offer teaching.
[6] Its original format was based on a knock-out process of teams from various regions around the UK, such as East Anglia or the South West.
The final episode, a 50th anniversary special, was presented by Rosemarie Ford and broadcast on BBC One from the Royal Albert Hall in London on 29 December 1998.
The entire 1979 run was repeated by BBC Four in January and February alongside an episode from 1977 and the Grand Final from 1974.
[5] Strictly paired a professional dancer together with a celebrity partner,[2] and was originally hosted by Bruce Forsyth and Tess Daly, assisted by Claudia Winkleman.