Strictly fans call for controversial format switch-up ahead of 2025 series

Strictly Come Dancing fans are calling for a switch-up this year amid swirling rumours that the format is set to change.

The BBC dance show kicks off its 2025 series officially on September 20, when the new celebrities will be paired with their professional partners and find out their first routines.

This year’s lineup consists of Vicky Pattison, George Clarke, Dani Dyer, Karen Carney, La Voix, and Stefan Dennis, to name a few, while all of last season’s pros will be back.

We also have two new additions to the family in the form of pros Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon.

Over the weekend, it was reported by The Sun that bosses were planning for this year’s celebs to switch professional partners for one week only.

‘A switch-up week is a great way to spice up Strictly Come Dancing,’ explained an insider, with the programme having been on air since 2004.

‘Fans will be able to vote for which celebrity they want to see dance with their favourite professional dancer.’

However, the Beeb later shut down the whispers, with a spokesperson stating to Metro that the story ‘isn’t true’.

But that hasn’t stopped fans from feeling disappointed, having initially built their hopes up after reading the initial reports.

Taking to TikTok, self-confessed Strictly super fan @strictlypoppy admitted she was ‘excited’ by the possibility of the switcheroo.

She added that it opened up the options for same-sex couples, since there wasn’t one last series.

‘Maybe one day, we’ll see it happening. Maybe they’ll see the response to this and go, “Hmm, maybe we should”.’

In the comments, @caroline_kennedy97 agreed: ‘I need this to happen at some stage’, while @ennmia224 said: ‘i’d take something like that over another boring themed week any day’.

‘OH THIS WOULD BE INSANE?’, commented an excitable @clorscha_, as some were on the fence about whether they would ‘love this or hate it’.

‘I really like the idea but once I’m attached to couples it might not be so appealing 😂’, wrote @louisemarie1990x.

The shake-up would’ve seen the UK version follow in the footsteps of the American and Irish versions, where contestants dance with a different partner for one show only.

To avoid any messiness or backlash around eliminations, though, the Irish edition and US Dancing with the Stars ensure all couples are safe from being voted out that week, carrying over scores to the next show.

So, now the BBC is aware fans are open to the idea; could it be something we see in Strictly’s future?

The lead-up to the Strictly 2025 launch has been a turbulent one, to say the least, with accusations and scandals flying left and right.

Previously, an internal investigation was carried out after allegations of bullying were made against now-axed professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.

While Pernice was cleared of the most serious claims made by former partner Amanda Abbington, the probe concluded that he verbally abused and harassed her.

Meanwhile, fellow Italian star Di Prima admitted to kicking Zara McDermott during training.

Following this, earlier this year, 2024 contestant Wynne Evans was removed from the Live Tour due to complaints of inappropriate behaviour, for which he later issued an apology.

Now, the show is at the centre of another investigation after two stars allegedly abused cocaine.

Last week, the Met confirmed they were investigating the allegations, with one of the stars involved also said to be suspected of drinking while on the show, as crew members smelled alcohol on their breath.

The two people involved have not been named publicly, but a TV insider claimed the scandal presents a ‘major problem’ for the family entertainment show.

‘It’s not just about something being illegal or legal; it’s about the BBC’s workplace policies and how the behaviour of certain individuals can impact on their work colleagues,’ they added.

‘On a very physical show like Strictly, with lots of sets and moving parts, the idea of someone being intoxicated in any way is wholly unacceptable.’

Furthermore, a former Strictly star, also unnamed, has been arrested on suspicion of rape.

‘On Friday, August 22, officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse,’ confirmed a Metropolitan Police spokesperson.

They added to The Sun on Sunday: ‘This is a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary, and while the investigation is in its early stages, we urge anyone with any information to come forward to us.

‘The arrest follows a third-party ­allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. Enquiries are ongoing.’ 

Cops add that the alleged victim is being supported, while the BBC told Metro that ‘it would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.’

Strictly Come Dancing 2025 begins on BBC One and BBC iPlayer on September 20.

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