The US version of Strictly Come Dancing will return for an eight-week run in January, broadcast network ABC has confirmed.

Dancing With The Stars will fill in for Alias, which will stop filming until star Jennifer Garner has finished her maternity leave.

The first series of the show attracted nearly 17 million viewers, becoming the most-watched summer series in the past five years. A September dance-off between the winner and runner-up, however, drew less viewers.

The celebrities to appear on the show have not yet been announced.