IS IT THE LAST WALTZ?

'Strictly Come Dancing' was the nicest show on television, now two dancers face claims about their behaviour as bosses fear a PR nightmare. Is it curtains

- Katie Rosseinsky

For 20 years, Strictly Come Dancing has been the glittering jewel in the BBC’s weekend TV lineup. Part of the show’s magic lies in its unique ability to combine old-fashioned glamour (the dazzling outfits! The high kicks! The tans!) and high drama (the tense dance-offs! The, erm, whispers of backstage affairs!) with a genuine aura of warmth. While other reality shows seem to traffic in exploitation and misery, Strictly has always felt like a beacon of niceness. Millions of us tune in not just to watch rhythmically challenged celebs learn to Charleston, but also to see their self-confidence skyrocket in the process. Participants tend to wax lyrical about how the show has changed them for the better – and their enthusiasm feels genuine, rather than a pure PR exercise.

The forthcoming 2024 series, then, had all the makings of a victory lap: a celebration of the show’s two decades at the very top of the entertainment game. But instead, Strictly’s sparkle has been tarnished by alarming accusations concerning two of its most popular professional dancers, a double whammy of scandal that has put its status as one of the nation’s best-loved comfort watches in jeopardy. The drama has prompted serious questions about what has been happening behind the scenes on the BBC’s beloved show. Can bosses restore its dazzling reputation in time for the big anniversary in September – and more importantly, will the viewers buy it?