Strictly Come Dancing to receive special Bafta

Abbey Clancy and Aljaz Skorjanec won the 11th series of Strictly Come Dancing last December

Strictly Come Dancing is to receive a special Bafta award to recognise the show's "outstanding creative and technical" achievements.

The award goes to the technical staff who create the show's sequinned costumes and glitter-strewn sets, rather than the on-screen stars.

Bafta chairman Andrew Newman said the show had "set new standards for talent and creativity".

The award will be presented at the Bafta Television Craft Awards on 27 April.

Strictly director Nikki Parsons, who has overseen more than 150 episodes of the celebrity ballroom competition, said her team was "so excited" to receive the award.

"We have extremely talented and creative people at every level on the team, working hard to deliver the highest quality of live television each week and I am very proud to be a part of it," she said.

"Everyone gives 110% to give the show the highest possible production values throughout every series, so it is an honour for us to be recognised for our contribution to the huge success of Strictly over the last 10 years."

Mr Newman added: "This award is to honour those craft people who bring a show that entertains millions each week to life.

"The team of talented individuals across many departments such as lighting, costume, cameras, hair and make-up, music, direction and editing - to name a few - are directly responsible for the format's success and we congratulate everyone involved."

A special Paralympic edition of Strictly will be broadcast as part of Sport Relief

The most recent series of Strictly was won by model Abbey Clancy, who beat newsreader Susanna Reid, actress Natalie Gumede and singer Sophie Ellis-Bextor in the first all-female final.

The series recently won the National Television Award for best talent show, for the second year running.

Collecting the trophy, host Tess Daly said, "we still haven't come down to earth after winning this last year!"

A special Sport Relief edition of Strictly will be broadcast this Friday, with four Paralympic athletes teaming up with the professional dancers.

They include David Clarke, Hannah Cockroft, Martine Wright and javelin thrower Nathan Stephens, who lost both his legs after being hit by a train on his ninth birthday.

The Bafta Television Craft Awards recognise behind-the-scenes talent in the British Television Industry.

The nominees will be announced next week, ahead of the ceremony in April.