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?
Denne historien er fra July 16, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Denne historien er fra July 16, 2024-utgaven av The Independent.
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Why 8 hours is a myth and other athletes' sleep secrets
Performance coach Greg Meehan tells Alex Pattle how he keeps clients, including boxers and footballers, in top shape
Women like me won't stand for this treatment any more
When I woke up to MasterChef’s Gregg Wallace blaming midlife, middle-class women and their lack of a sense of humour for his troubles, I confess to swearing at my phone.
The BBC's Wallace problem goes beyond MasterChef
Is the fate of a television cookery presenter more important than Syrian insurgents seizing Aleppo and the turmoil on the streets in Georgia? The BBC thinks so, based on its news judgements in recent days, which have seen exhaustive coverage of the accusations against Gregg Wallace take precedence over matters of life and death around the world.
Edwards knew that he was beaten but he never gave up
Former world flyweight champion told cornerman, 'I don't want to be here' after two rounds of his loss to Galal Yafai
Proud Welshman who drew every drop from his talent
Terry Griffiths was the first qualifier to lift the world crown
Former world champion Terry Griffiths dies, aged 77
Tributes have been paid to former world snooker champion Terry Griffiths, who died on Sunday at the age of 77 after a long battle with dementia.
Transformed Gravenberch embodies Slot's Liverpool
Jurgen Klopp had a habit of sounding prophetic. Or he had the capacity, whether through coaching and tactical prowess or force of personality, to make some of what he said come true.
Soaring house prices heap pressure on fixer Rayner
Sorry to make a soggy start to the week even more miserable, but it brings bad news for homebuyers. The housing market has taken a shot of adrenaline and performed a season’s best in the high jump.
Vape maker bags Typhoo Tea in deal worth £10m
Typhoo Tea has been bought by vapes and batteries maker Supreme after falling into administration.
Why talks on treaty against plastic pollution collapsed
A week of tense negotiations to draft a legally binding treaty combating global plastic pollution ended in failure on Sunday night in Busan, South Korea, marking only the latest setback for global environmental diplomacy after disappointing outcomes at Cop29 and the Cop16 biodiversity summit.
