Strictly Come Dancing returns tonight – but there are some changes in store (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
Strictly Come Dancing season is well underway, with the first live show airing tonight.
Hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman will be welcoming a new batch of celebrities into the ballroom, while judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke take their seats.
The likes of Chris McCausland, JLS singer JB Gill, Nick Knowles and Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri will be competing for the glitterball trophy, and to follow in the footsteps of 2023 winners Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola.
But, as excited as fans are for the beloved show to return, it’s not been a smooth start to Strictly this year.
The programme has been embroiled in scandal following last year’s season, allegations against several professional dancers, and concerns raised about the treatment of contestants including Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
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Sherlock actress Amanda, who quit Strictly last year after five weeks, described her former dance partner Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’ – claims which he’s denied.
Soon after, Graziano Di Prima was accused of ‘kicking and hitting’ Love Island star Zara and later apologised for his actions.
15 new celebrities are hitting the ballroom (Picture: BBC Public Service/Ray Burmiston)
The BBC programme has been embroiled in scandal in recent months, with Giovanni Pernice denying allegations against him (Picture: PA)
Graziano Di Prima has also stepped down from the professional line-up (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
Giovanni nor Graziano are a part of the professional line-up this year, but that’s not the only change in store.
After a BBC investigation, the broadcaster announced three major changes to support welfare.
A statement from the corporation in July said: ‘The BBC is today announcing additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing.
‘Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.’
The show is returning tonight as it marks its 20th anniversary (Picture: BBC/PA Wire)
The changes that the BBC are introducing include having a team member present during training room rehearsals at all times.
A celebrity welfare producer and a professional dancer welfare producer have also been appointed.
And finally, the BBC vowed to deliver further training for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, said at the time: ‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
‘Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.’
Who will follow in Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola’s footsteps? (Picture: BBC/Guy Levy)
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Meanwhile, Amy Dowden has made her triumphant return to Strictly after having to sit last year out as she underwent cancer treatment.
And she’s not the only one coming back to the ballroom, as Aljaž Škorjanec is also returning to the BBC One competition, after announcing his exit in 2022.
Strictly’s first live show tonight for this year comes after the viewing figures for the pre-recorded launch show last week were revealed, with the results reported as the BBC’s ‘worst fear’.
5.7 million people tuned in on Saturday evening, which is down a million from last year and down by more than three million since the ratings boom back in 2020.
Strictly Come Dancing continues tonight at 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer.
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