I’m a Strictly expert – here are three huge changes show MUST make to save 20th anniversary
STRICTLY Come Dancing has been a stalwart of the UK television industry for nearly two decades.
But even though the star names compete for the Glitterball Trophy, it seems the show has lost a lot of its sparkle in recent years.
As someone nearing 30-years-old, I barely remember a time before Bruce Forsyth had the audience in hysterics with his lovable quips and signature catchphrases.
I watched the screen in amazement as Jill Halfpenny stormed to victory with her Jive to Dave Arch’s rendition of Elton John‘s ‘I’m Still Standing’.
During the primetime Saturday Night Wars, I would often annoy my brother as I flicked between ITV‘s, The X Factor and Auntie’s dancing offering.
I even used to geek out over foreign editions of the show, especially Dancing With The Stars during my summer family trips to the US.
I vividly remember Marie Osmond fainting live on air in 2007 and the shock elimination of the front-runner Sabrina Bryan from The Cheetah Girls that same year.
But I cannot deny that my dewy-eyed mirage and feelings of nostalgic sentimentality might have shifted, as Strictly Come Dancing has been rocked by scandals.
Many controversies culminated in the resignation of Giovanni Pernice after he faced allegations over his tough training methods.
Three of his celebrity competitors have participated in a BBC probe after Amanda Abbington made a complaint about his behaviour to the corporation.
Now, Graziano Di Prima has been sacked from the show following gross misconduct claims.
His partner, former Love Island star Zara McDermott recently spoke out in a brave statement online after allegations surfaced that he kicked her during rehearsals.
She admitted that her experience on the live dancefloor was very different than her experience in the training room with her professional.
After we revealed that a third name is considered to be part of the investigation by show bosses, the BBC has been forced to make huge changes behind the scenes.
The dancers will now be monitored by chaperones at all times during rehearsals and multiple new dedicated welfare roles will be given to dependable producers.
Despite the upcoming 20th anniversary coming up this year, an ominous shadow has been case over the once-glitzy ballroom.
The family show is now fighting for its very existence. But in order to secure its future, it needs to change.
Bring back fun
The show has completely lost the fun factor that we all know and have loved over the decades.
There was undoubtedly a significant change of dynamic when Brucey initially stepped down as the full-time host.
When he sadly died, the show struggled to properly recover as the glaring hole of his tension-easing tactics was more startling than Craig’s put-downs.
But it feels like the days of celebs actually enjoying themselves of the show have gone down by the wayside.
If the show is to have a chance in the future, we need more of the old fun factor…
Think back to 2008 when John Sargeant stomped his way through to week 10 of the show.
One highlight included the hilarious moment when he literally dragged Kristina Rihanoff across the floor in his Paso Doble.
Viewers were in hysterics as Craig gave him a score of one point for his Cha-cha-cha to ‘Twist And Shout’.
Even as recently as 2016, Danny Mac‘s Sambra with Oti Mabuse was only a pleasure to watch as he made Strictly history.
Graziano Di Prima - Strictly statement in FULL
GRAZIANO Di Prima has addressed his Strictly Come Dancing sacking with a statement on social media - see the details below.
In a statement shared to his Instagram page Graziano wrote: “I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
“Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.”
He continued: “While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.”
He concluded the post: “I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
Seeing his face of unbridled joy as he flaunted his rippling muscles and shimmied his way across the floor to ‘Magalenha’ was nothing sort of a delight.
After Len said the routine was ‘steamier than the Amazon Jungle,’ I know I was not the only one who was devastated not to see him take home the title.
The routine wasn’t a conventional Samba exactly, but it proved to be the perfect combination of technical elements with bright showmanship.
I also think of the dance that arguably kick-started the television career of Good Morning Britain star Ed Balls.
It was his infamous Gangnam Style routine that helped his transition from the stiff House of Commons politicians to household name.
If the show is to have a chance in the future, we need more of the old fun factor please.
Realistic scoring
The scoring has arguably become absolutely ridiculous over the past couple of years.
Constant ‘fix’ claims continue to plague the show as Shirley seems to give out tens, week after week.
I remember in 2012, Denise Van Outen received the first ten – or should I say ten’s – of the series for her incredible Charlston at the second Wembley broadcast.
The audience went wild when she danced to ‘Walk Like an Egyptian’, with James Jordan.
Far from being a one-off, Shirley handed out over twenty 10 pointers across the 2023 series
Three judges gave her the top score and Craig practically have his seal of approval when he handed her a nine.
The truth was, this was a barnstorming and series elevating dance that fully deserved the score it got.
I love Michelle Visage, I really do. But there is no way her Halloween Foxtrot in 2019 to the Addams Family Theme tune deserved 39 points.
Last year, Shirley was giving nine by week two and her first ten to Eddie in week three.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
A score of ten used to be a rare one-off, for a couple that really deserved it.
But in 2023, Shirley handed out over twenty 10 pointers across the series with Motsi Mabuse not coming far behind.
On the other end of the spectrum, Craig Revel Horwood is known to be the harshest critic out of all the panel.
But some fans have accused the longtime judge of being inconsistent with his scoring.
The first night of the 2022 series comes to mind when he awarded a score of four to three couples.
Kym Marsh, Tyler West and Jayde Adams were all given a low score by the choreographer in week one of the competition.
The same night he gave Loose Women‘s Kaye Adams a six for her Tango to Abba’s Voulez-Vous.
At both ends of the spectrum the scores are not realistic and this needs to be fixed … pronto.
Bring Back Reality
At it’s heart, everyone needs to remember that Strictly is a reality show.
It is not a serious po-faced professional dancing competition where people are competing to be the best in the world.
Previous Strictly ‘bad boy’ Brendan Cole previously reflected on his time on the show in a pre-recorded segment on It Takes Two in 2017.
When he spoke about his partnership with Olympic athlete, Victoria Pendleton, he remarked: “I learnt a lot about myself as a coach, and a friend, and a support network which we are essentially on Strictly.”
It seems these values have been forgotten by some of the professionals that have recently competed on the show.
Both Giovanni and Graziano clearly put their desires to win the show over all else.
The professionals need to remember the reality aspect when competing on the shows.
Speaking of which, we need more of the clap-backs between the professionals and the judges.
I learnt a lot about myself as a coach, and a friend, and a support network which we are essentially on Strictly.
Brendan Cole
Brendan Cole and James Jordan were famous for their dramatic blow-back comments as they stood up for their partners.
Despite on-screen tension, it reminded us all of both the camaraderie between each couple, as well as the fact that the entire show was like a pantomime.
If the recent scandals show anything, it suggests that reality show aspect of the competition seems to have given way to the personal competitive desires of some of the professionals on the show.
All of these elements need to be amended so the show might have a fighting chance of success.
If not, can Strictly Come Dancing really keep dancing?
