'Strictly Come Dancing' could face the chop from the BBC, according to the corporation's former director of communications.
The celebrity ballroom dancing competition could be pulled along with 'Top Gear' and 'The One Show' in the coming years and BBC executives are reportedly hunting for replacements.
Former BBC director of communications, Ed Williams said: "I think there's a series of very popular formats which over the next five to 10 years will reach the end of their natural lives, such as 'Strictly Come Dancing', 'The Apprentice', 'Dragons' Den', 'Top Gear' and 'The One Show'."
The sensational claims made in Ed's new book, 'Is the BBC in Crisis?', also suggest staff are struggling to come up with fresh ideas and TV's brightest producers are put off working for the institution due its low wages.
Ed added: "What I think is particularly challenging for the BBC is how can they make the case to get the best creative people at the BBC coming up with these ideas when, actually, if you've got a great idea, why take it to the BBC?"
The BBC has seemingly reached a standstill in Saturday night entertainment formats since 'Strictly Come Dancing' launched in 2004.
Meanwhile, independently produced talent show 'The Voice' has proved a hit with viewers this year but is costly for the BBC to air.
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