BBC to produce UK version of So You Think You Can Dance

British public broadcaster the BBC is set to produce a local version of hit US dance series So You Think You Can Dance.

The move is surprising as its rare that the broadcaster will  acquire the format rights to a long running US series.

The series was originally created by former Spice Girls manager Simon Fuller and Pop Idol judge Nigel Lythgoe and was produced by Fuller’s 19 Entertainment and Dick Clark Productions for the Fox network.

The BBC’s inhouse entertainment arm will coproduce the UK version with 19 Productions and the show is set to launch later this year.

The series follows a range of amateur and professional dancers as they compete for the title of Britain’s Best Dancer. Judges will include Arlene Phillips, the choreographer that was previously a judge on Strictly Come Dancing.