Strictly fans 'switch off' before new BBC series starts as they make same complaint

Some fans of Strictly Come Dancing have said that the BBC ballroom competition has "lost its buzz" and they won't be tuning in when the new series kicks off later this year. Posting to social media, viewers have complained that there are now "too many scandals" after Wynne Evans was the latest star to come under fire last year after "handgate".

Posting to Reddit, one fan asked others: "Could just be me, but does anyone else feel there is less buzz about Strictly this year? Super fans' socials seem a little flatter than normal to me." Many commenters replied with thoughts of the same nature, as one said: "Too many scandals, unexciting cast and normalising right wing and giving a platform to Thomas Skinner. Strictly feels like it has lost its shine and sparkle." Another echoed: "I think the scandals refusing to go away, the lacklustre lineup and the lack of any kind of change to the format (except for 2 new pros) has me feeling very meh." One more added: "My mum's a Strictly super fan and she's not watching this year. The scandals have taken away the magic for her."

Someone else predicted that the show would be coming to an end completely in the next few years, writing: "The magic has been broken- it happens to all shows with such a long run. The scandals of recent years have exposed the happy classy jazz hands image as a facade.

"I think its best days are behind it, and the show is now on the slide. I give it 5 more years max before the BBC drop the axe."

Last year, Wynne, 52, was captured on film sliding his hand around professional dance partner Katya Jones's waist before she promptly pushed it away. A second clip of the pair showing Evans, who is famous for his role in GoCompare insurance adverts, trying to high-five Jones and getting rejected, was also widely shared on social media.

The incident was dismissed by the pair as a "silly joke" during an appearance on BBC spin-off show It Takes Two. However, Evans was later also recorded making a sexualised remark at the Birmingham Arena as the group prepared for a photo on stage. "My language was inappropriate and unacceptable, for which I sincerely apologise," he said in a statement.

This year, before the series even kicks off, it has already been reported that the BBC has launched an investigation into alleged drug use by two Strictly Come Dancing stars, who have not been named. It is understood that the corporation has hired a law firm to help it carry out the probe.

There have also recently been allegations of verbal bullying and harassment by professional dancer Giovanni Pernice against his 2023 celebrity partner, Amanda Abbington, who withdrew from the show, citing physical and verbal aggression from Pernice.

Additionally, there were reports of Graziano Di Prima kicking celebrity partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals.