Strictly Come Dancing’s history of ageism rows and scandals as show waltzes into yet another controversy after Nadiya Bychkova, 36, was axed

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Strictly Come Dancing has been one of the BBC’s most iconic shows for the past two decades. 

But since it hit the box in 2004, it has been plagued with a series of scandals.

The popular show has faced numerous controversies, including sex scandals, an investigation into drug use among staff, and claims of mistreatment and bullying by dancers.

The show is facing criticism this week, with accusations of ageism resurfacing – this isn’t the first time the series has been accused of favoring younger dancers. This comes alongside reports of changes to the dance cast.

This comes after two previous seasons of the show were marked by controversy, starting with accusations from actress Amanda Abbington that her dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, was abusive during rehearsals. He has denied these claims.

Also in that year, Graziano di Prima lost his job with the BBC after a video showed him kicking his dance partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott, during practice.

Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans was removed from his BBC Wales breakfast show after using offensive language while appearing on Strictly Come Dancing. Similarly, Jamie Borthwick was let go from EastEnders after making an unacceptable remark during the same competition.

The show has faced another setback, this time with accusations of ageism after professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova was removed from the cast after being with the show for nearly ten years.

Strictly Come Dancing is reportedly letting go of many of its professional dancers before the new season, following recent controversies.

Nadiya has been a professional on Strictly Come Dancing for eight years, during which she’s danced with celebrities like TV’s Dan Walker, singer Matt Goss, and actor Davood Ghadami.

A friend of the 36-year-old dancer has apparently criticized the decision to remove them from the show, and has also voiced their disapproval of the BBC.

‘Her axing smacks of ageism,’ a friend reportedly told The Sun.

Sources say Nadiya is heartbroken and doesn’t understand why she won’t be returning to the show, as it’s her passion and a central part of her life. She’s a very popular dancer, making the decision even more upsetting for her.

The Daily Mail contacted the BBC for comment. 

The BBC hasn’t responded to the rumors, but this isn’t the first time the show has faced criticism for potentially being ageist.

Dame Arlene Phillips became well-known as a symbol of fighting ageism when she was removed from the show in 2009.

Arlene Phillips was let go from the show at age 66 and replaced by Alesha Dixon, who was 30 at the time and had less experience.

The situation became a major scandal, attracting attention even from Harriet Harman, who was the Minister for Women and Equality at the time.

In a surprising move, Labour’s Deputy Leader strongly criticized the BBC’s decision to remove Dame Arlene from her position, and urged them to give her the job back.

During a speech in Parliament, the Equalities Minister expressed concern about potential age discrimination and publicly asked the BBC to consider Arlene Phillips for the next season of Strictly Come Dancing, stating it’s still possible to include her.

In 2024, 82-year-old Dame Arlene sparked a debate about ageism when she talked about the older participants on the show.

At the Women of the Year Awards, she told Express Online that she’s unhappy with how older women are seen on the show.

What bothers me about Strictly is seeing some of the older female contestants get really invested in the competition. They’re incredibly talented, and it’s great they take it seriously, but when things don’t go well, it seems to really affect them emotionally, and that’s hard to watch.

Just six weeks after Arlene Phillips left the show, Strictly Come Dancing faced another controversy about age, this time when dancer Karen Hardy wasn’t asked back.

It was so disheartening to see her let go from the dance company when she was 39. They wanted to bring in younger dancers, people in their twenties, and unfortunately, that meant she was no longer needed. As a longtime fan, it felt like they were dismissing years of talent and experience, and it really upset me.

Karen was the oldest female dancer on the show at that time, and many viewers thought she would be a good replacement for judge Dame Arlene.

It wasn’t just her, you know? Even Camilla Dallerup – the champion from the year before, and only 35! – they got rid of her too. It was shocking, absolutely shocking! I couldn’t believe they’d treat a reigning champion like that. It just didn’t seem right, not at all.

Katya Virshilas, a 25-year-old from Lithuania, and Natalie Lowe, 28 and from Australia, were hired to take their place.

When concerns about ageism arose, a representative for Strictly Come Dancing stated the show constantly strives to stay modern and appealing. They firmly denied any claims that the BBC makes decisions based on a performer’s age.

They argued that if age were a factor in who could participate, beloved figures like Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman wouldn’t have been able to be on the show.

We choose presenters based on their talent, not their age. The BBC has presenters of all ages.

Current head judge Shirley Ballas has also been accused of ageism.

In 2022, Shirley, 65, faced accusations from viewers that she was unfairly giving higher scores to the male contestants. She later shared that the intense online harassment that followed made her think about leaving the show.

Honestly, hearing her talk about it just breaks my heart. She said things got so much worse, just spiraling out of control, and it really messed her up. What gets me is that she’s usually so strong and keeps everything bottled up inside, but this… this really got to her. It’s awful to think about how much she suffered in silence.

When questioned about potentially leaving Strictly Come Dancing, she admitted it had been a challenging season, but didn’t offer further details. Regarding a return, she said she prefers to focus on the present and take things as they come.

In November, another scandal emerged involving the show when a second Strictly Come Dancing star was arrested on suspicion of rape.

This news follows a similar arrest just three months prior, where another celebrity was accused of the same crime, along with sharing private images without consent.

The latest arrest happened last month. The victim wasn’t a participant on the show, but she met the arrested man through his connection to the BBC program.

Hertfordshire Police confirmed a man had been arrested, adding that inquiries were ongoing.

Recently, the Daily Mail reported that a couple who appeared on the show had a secret affair just before the professional dancer ended their relationship.

Another romantic entanglement between a celebrity and a professional dancer on the BBC dance show is adding to the stress for show producers, who are already dealing with a difficult situation. The show has a reputation for causing relationships to fall apart – often called the ‘dance curse’.

This news follows reports of video footage showing another married celebrity – previously a contestant on the show – kissing their dance partner in a suggestive way.

A source revealed to the Mail that one of the show’s celebrities had a brief romantic encounter with a dancer, even though they were in a relationship with someone else. This affair has now become public knowledge.

We don’t know if their partner ever discovered what happened, but the relationship eventually ended, so it’s possible they did find out.

Throughout their time on Strictly, the dance partners successfully hid their secret romantic relationship from the other cast and crew members.

As a lifestyle expert, I often see intense bonds form when people push themselves together, and there was definitely a buzz around these two competitors. Everyone noticed their connection, but a lot of the other contestants chalked it up to just having really strong chemistry – which honestly, is pretty typical when you’re training with someone so intensely. It’s easy to mistake that kind of energy for something more!

Now that news of their affair has surfaced, people involved with the show say they recognize clues that were obvious during filming all along.

The timing of this couldn’t be worse,” our source said. There’s a lot of talk about the so-called ‘Strictly curse’ – the idea that appearing on the show puts a strain on relationships, and we’ve certainly seen that happen many times before.

Recently, it feels like the show is just plagued with problems – one issue keeps happening after another.

‘And it’s all overshadowing what is meant to be just an innocuous light entertainment show.

‘It’s come to light because secrets never stay quiet for long, especially with Strictly.’

It was said that the 12-second clip ‘threatens to detonate Strictly.’

I was absolutely shocked when I heard about this! Apparently, a member of the crew at Elstree Studios – where the show is filmed on Saturdays – accidentally caught the couple being intimate in their dressing room and filmed it. It was a total surprise to everyone on set, and they couldn’t believe what they were seeing.

Over the show’s twenty-year history, several couples have been romantically linked, leading to talk of a ‘curse.’ These include Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, Matt Di Angelo and Flavia Cacace, Ali Bastian and Brian Fortuna, Joe Calzaghe and Kristina Rihanoff, Kara Tointon and Artem Chigvintsev, Ben Cohen and Kristina Rihanoff, and Rachel Riley and Pasha Kovalev.

Being on Strictly Come Dancing used to guarantee a boost in a celebrity’s career, but now appearing on the show, which has faced some controversies, is often seen as a gamble.

Before the most recent season, a talent agent warned their clients to steer clear of the BBC’s dance competition, claiming it now has the power to damage a performer’s career just as easily as it can launch one.

According to a source familiar with the show, some performers are hesitant to participate because the potential downsides now outweigh the benefits. Previously, it was an easy decision, but that’s no longer the case.

Speaking to The Times, sources revealed that appearing on the show is a significant risk, potentially damaging someone’s career. As a result, they’re now recommending more and more of their clients decline invitations to participate.

A representative for Strictly Come Dancing stated that the casting process was exactly the same as in previous years, with no changes to the timeline or the number of talented performers who applied.

This follows reports that insiders say the newest season of Strictly Come Dancing faced difficulties attracting contestants after recent controversies.

Last year, the Daily Mail published a video appearing to show Wynne proposing a three-person intimate encounter with dancer Janette Manrara.

The remark was made during a publicity event for the Strictly Come Dancing live tour and quickly drew criticism from BBC executives, who stated they would not accept that kind of conduct.

Although Wynne initially apologized, he later said he was pressured into doing so and stated his comment wasn’t sexually suggestive. He explained that ‘spit roast’ was simply a nickname he used for another contestant, Jamie Borthwick.

Following a review of his conduct, BBC executives informed Wynne that his annual contract would not be renewed, effectively ending his radio program.

He later stated he would always regret his offensive remark, which he called a ‘spit roast,’ made during the phone call about Strictly.

The show faced another scandal in August, with reports that management contacted the police to look into a new accusation related to the ongoing issues.

Attorneys launched an investigation into the children’s television program following allegations that two of its main actors had used cocaine.

Police are reportedly investigating further claims after lawyers started looking into allegations that two contestants on Strictly Come Dancing used cocaine during their time on the show.

The BBC’s recent difficulties have taken a dramatic turn, as they’ve now had to involve the police in an investigation related to Strictly Come Dancing. Sources describe this as a significant development in the ongoing series of issues the organization is facing.

Even with everything the show and its team have dealt with lately, it’s really surprising and concerning that Scotland Yard detectives are now investigating Strictly. As the BBC’s most popular family entertainment program, this investigation creates a negative image for the network.

A representative for the network said they have established procedures for handling any significant concerns brought to their attention.

We welcome anyone with concerns to reach out to us directly. However, we won’t be making any further statements about this matter.

In the last two years, several controversies have emerged regarding the behavior of the show’s professional dancers and how they’ve worked with the celebrity trainees.

During Series 21 in 2023, Amanda left the competition, originally saying she was leaving for personal reasons.

However, the following July, Amanda accused Giovanni Pernice of behaving unkindly and cruelly towards her while they were on the show.

Giovanni quickly dismissed the accusations, and a BBC investigation found no evidence to support claims of physical aggression or threats.

After a thorough investigation, BBC executives released a report that cleared the Italian dancer of accusations of physical violence, but confirmed that he had engaged in verbal bullying and harassment.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve been following the recent situation with Amanda and Giovanni closely. The BBC had to issue an apology due to reports of verbal bullying and harassment. However, Giovanni has publicly stated he’s relieved the investigation didn’t uncover any evidence of truly threatening or abusive behavior. It’s a complex situation, and it’s good to see some clarity emerging, though acknowledging the initial complaints is important too.

We have established procedures for handling serious complaints and always encourage people to share their concerns with us directly. Because this matter is ongoing, we are unable to provide further details at this time.

Last July, the BBC fired pro dancer Graziano following accusations of serious inappropriate behavior towards his ex-partner, Zara.

The popular Italian dancer was let go from the Saturday night dance competition after a discussion with show executives. In a social media post, he suggested his strong desire to win may have impacted how he prepared for the show.

One show source said: ‘Graziano had to go. It has been awful.’

Graziano began appearing on Strictly in 2018. Last year, he danced with Zara, a star from Love Island, but the pair were voted off after six weeks.

Following the recent news, Zara shared a statement on Instagram. She explained that she wanted to address the media reports, and expressed how much Strictly meant to her, saying it was a dream come true to be on the show since childhood.

Being asked to compete on the show felt like a dream come true, something I’d wished for since I was a child. I knew Strictly would require a huge amount of dedication and effort, and I was completely committed to giving it my all.

‘I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.

My time on Strictly was truly a dream come true. I had an incredible experience working with the whole production team, all the people behind the scenes, and my wonderful fellow contestants.

My time in the training room, though, was quite different from what people have heard. There have been reports about how I was treated on the show, and there were people who saw what happened, as well as videos that are very upsetting to watch.

In addition to several controversies, the show has also lost its hosts, Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who have both decided to leave.

The hosts, who had been with the show for a long time, said they were leaving in October and finished their last episodes in December.

Well, it’s a bit of bittersweet news – after eleven amazing years, my co-host and I have decided it’s time for us to move on. We’ve put out a statement letting everyone know we’ll be stepping down at the end of the current season. It’s been an incredible run, and we’re so grateful for all the support, but we’re excited to explore what’s next!

The last time they were seen together on television was during the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special, which broadcast on December 25th.

The surprise Instagram post from Claudia and Tess has sparked speculation that they might be leaving the show after a difficult start to series 23, leading some to wonder if they’re abandoning a failing project.

According to a source at the Daily Mail, BBC executives are planning significant changes next year to revitalize their Saturday night show, which has been in its current form since 2004, and attract viewers who have stopped watching.

The launch show attracted approximately 5.6 million viewers this year, which is a decrease from the over 8 million who tuned in five years ago.

PR expert Mark Borkowski believes that with both Tess and Claudia leaving Strictly Come Dancing within a short period, the show is in decline. He suggests the presenters are leaving to safeguard their careers, as they see the format losing its appeal.

‘This is the slow death of Strictly’, he said.

ITV is clearly struggling. Recent negative publicity has made performers hesitant, and many are realizing the network is in decline. No one wants to be the last performer on a show that’s losing its audience and winding down.

Claudia and Tess leaving was a smart move to protect their reputations. It’s crucial to time things right, and sticking with a failing project can quickly ruin someone’s career.

He explained that when a powerful, but failing, organization begins to show its age, the best strategy is to leave gracefully before things fall apart completely.

The latest season of the show, Series 23, faced some early challenges when several contestants, including Dani Dyer, withdrew before voting began.

Thomas Skinner was eliminated first amid scandal over an affair.

Stefan Dennis, a longtime star of the show ‘Neighbours’, had to withdraw due to an injury. Plus, several dancers expressed dissatisfaction with their pairings, and some weren’t assigned a partner at all.

The pair, who have co-hosted the BBC One dance competition since 2014, announced the news together on Instagram.

In an Instagram video revealing the surprising news, Claudia, host of the hit show The Traitors, and Tess, who has been with the series since 2004, were shown sitting together as they announced their departure mid-season.

Hey everyone, I wanted to address something that’s been circulating. We wanted to be upfront and share the news directly with you, so here I am to tell you what’s been going on.

It’s with a bit of sadness, but mostly joy, that Tess just announced some big news. After 21 amazing years on Strictly, we’ve decided it’s time for us to move on and let someone else take the lead. It feels like the right moment, and we’re so proud of everything we’ve achieved!

“That baton is really sparkly!” Claudia chuckled, then turned to her friend and fellow actor, saying, “You’ve been with me from the start.”

As a long-time fan, I’m really worried about the hosts leaving! They haven’t said why they’re gone, but Sophie Rhone, a PR expert, thinks there’s some behind-the-scenes drama and they’re trying to protect themselves by stepping away from the show. It’s definitely a concerning sign!

When two main hosts leave a show simultaneously – particularly a prominent one on BBC One – it’s usually not a random occurrence…

I have a strong feeling this isn’t just about jobs or deals. There’s something happening privately—a serious issue that’s causing both of these women to leave before it becomes known.

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2026-03-09 16:38