Strictly Come Dancing viewers are left furious after BBC quietly ‘axe’ a much loved feature of the show
As a longtime viewer and ardent fan of Strictly Come Dancing, I must say that this year’s series feels like a rollercoaster ride of emotions. Having watched the show since its inception, I’ve seen it grow, evolve, and sometimes stumble. However, the current 20th-anniversary series seems to be grappling with more than just dance steps – it’s dealing with controversy that even a seasoned professional like myself might find hard to twirl around.
Fans of Strictly Come Dancing were angered when the BBC revealed that a related program connected to the show would be cancelled.
On Tuesday, leaders at the BBC revealed their decision to cease operating the show’s dedicated blog, instead choosing to focus their efforts on other social media platforms.
Previously, the blog was filled with news from the Strictly team. This included weekly song disclosures, announcements, declarations, and post-elimination updates.
On their official website, the team expressed their reasoning by stating: ‘We realize that a community has developed through the years, and some of you might feel let down by our choice.’
In response to shifting user habits, we’ve decided to guide our viewers towards our social media platforms. On Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok, you’ll find vibrant communities engaged in discussions about the show.
‘In accordance with similar changes happening on other BBC blogs, the Strictly blog along with its comments section is scheduled to close. This means that no new posts or updates will be added going forward.’
‘This blog will remain open for 24 hours before closing to comments permanently.’
They expressed gratitude for your past contributions and invited you to connect with them on their social media platforms.
One fan raged: ‘Shame on you, BBC. We don’t all use social media and even if we did I don’t think it would replace our blog family.’; ‘I don’t know whether I’m more upset or angry that the BBC has decided to close this blog,’
The show may not capture my full interest, but I’ll certainly give it a try. The original viewer mentioned enjoying the witty conversations and virtual gatherings. They found it especially appealing for those who lacked someone else to share their thoughts about it with.
I’m still puzzled by this decision, especially the remark about ‘the evolving reader behavior’. However, it seems contradictory since on September 30th, there were 1644 comments, on October 28th, there were 2175 comments, and on November 25th, there were 2496 comments. These numbers suggest a significant amount of traffic flowing through the blog rather than a lack of it.
As a dedicated follower, I find myself questioning more than what the BBC appears to be sharing or acknowledging about this issue. The timing seems peculiar, and it feels like a series of small, seemingly inconsequential actions that add up to something much larger – akin to ‘death by a thousand paper cuts.’ It’s hard not to notice the potential disregard for those who have faithfully engaged with the blog over the years.
The news comes as former Strictly pro Ian Waite controversially urged bosses ‘don’t hire Italians’ for the show after the Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice bullying scandal.
34-year-old Giovanni departed the show in April due to claims of bullying by his dance companion, Amanda Abbington. However, he has refuted these allegations.
Simultaneously, the 30-year-old Italian named Graziano lost his job following his confession of kicking his girlfriend, Zara McDermott.
On the Stripping Off With Matt Haycox podcast, Ian remarked that there appears to be a connection as they are both Italian. As for guidance, he suggested avoiding booking Italians in the future.
In simpler terms, he mentioned that as professional dancers, we didn’t receive any guidelines or safety measures regarding how to interact with our famous partners.
‘What’s offensive or abusive if there are no clear guidelines?’
‘We had to figure it out ourselves.’
In the midst of persistent bullying allegations, the victor of Dancing with the Stars Australia, a 53-year-old dancer, chose to address the matter publicly.
In moments past, I’ve certainly encountered frictions with my companion, and at times, the discussions escalated quite intensely. However, these heated exchanges always stemmed from a shared purpose or cause.
‘Unless it’s all filmed, it’s your word against theirs.’
During the debut of Strictly Come Dancing’s 20th anniversary special, the BBC chose not to address the ongoing controversies directly in their presentation on Saturday night.
Dancer Amy Dowden, now cancer-free, sparkled in a stunning magenta ballroom dress, gracefully spinning and showcasing her extraordinary dance skills alongside her partners, marking a victorious return to the dance floor.
The Class of 2024 at Strictly includes notable personalities such as the actor Jamie Borthwick from EastEnders, reality TV participant Tasha Ghouri from Love Island, and singer JB Gill, formerly of JLS.
In addition, there are other participants such as Shayne Ward, who won The X Factor, Sarah Hadland from Miranda, and Nick Knowles, known for presenting DIY SOS.
Stand-up comedian Chris McCausland, known for being the first visually impaired contestant on the show, has quickly won over fans with his sharp wit and hilarious jokes.
Strictly Come Dancing continues on Saturday, September 21 on BBC1.
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2024-09-19 02:19