Why Strictly Come Dancing has major problem that it can't solve which spells disaster for its future

Strictly has a major problem that is likely to end its run as one of TV's biggest shows. For years, it dominated conversation in homes and offices every autumn. It was a national obsession. But I think those days are now over.

The issue isn't a show on rival channel ITV or any of the various scandals that have plagued the long-running series over the years. It's actually a fellow BBC series that is posing a major problem - namely, The Celebrity Traitors.

Strictly kicks off in mid-September, and for years it was the only big show on the box up until Christmas, apart from ITV's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in November.

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But now that there's a new juggernaut in town, things have changed for good. Strictly now has just a few weeks in September to get viewers hooked, and that's just not long enough. Every year, the dance contest will barely get going before The Celebrity Traitors starts airing in early October. When this happens, it's game over for Strictly.

The Celebrity Traitors is such an exciting format and features so many big names, that it has become Britain's new obsession. The first season last year pulled in viewing figures that were off the scale — topping 15 million.

Once The Celebrity Traitors is on every October, that's all anyone will talk about. It'll be the hot topic at water coolers, bus stops and pubs throughout its run. It's unlikely anyone will have time to chat about Strictly much at all.

The macabre game show, hosted by former Strictly presenter Claudia Winkleman, will also be the show getting front pages, leaving very little room for Strictly to make an appearance. And once The Celebrity Traitors is over, I'm a Celebrity starts, meaning Strictly will continue to be overshadowed.

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By the time the jungle is off our screens, it's December and Strictly is nearly over. And by then, will enough people care? It will still be a hit show and get strong ratings, but its days as a phenomenon are over.

It doesn't help that Strictly has failed to get a decent line-up for this year's season. In fact, it's the weakest they've had in years.

There are a few household names such as Lacey Turner and Jaime Winstone, and you could argue that a lot of viewers could name Delta Goodrem, Dani Dyer and Will Best. But beyond that, it's not great.

If you asked 100 people in the street, how many would be able to name Bethany Antonia, Tabby Stoecker, Chris Appleton and Lawrence Robb? My guess is not many.

Another problem Strictly has is the fact that the producers have taken a lot of risks this year. They've decided to have three hosts, and the line-up includes Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe, neither of whom have much presenting experience.

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Furthermore, they've also dropped quite a few of the professional dancers for no obvious reason.

Maybe there's a method to all of it. But when the show is already competing with the might of The Celebrity Traitors, is this the time to make so many changes? If it isn't broke, why try to fix it?

Strictly's new season kicks off next weekend, so we don't have long to wait to see if it does well. But I suspect that come October, it'll fade into the background and ratings will drop to new lows.

Strictly Come Dancing returns on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on Saturday 19 September.

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