The Strictly Come Dancing final returns to BBC One tonight as Layton Williams, Bobby Brazier and Ellie Leach battle it out for the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
The BBC Saturday night show, which has been on screens since 2004, may seem a polite and unassuming delight in the world of reality television but surprisingly has managed to land itself in hot water over the years from break-ups, to flourishing romances and show rifts. Express.co.uk has detailed some of the show’s biggest scandals which have made headlines over the years.
The Strictly ‘curse’
The so-called Strictly ‘curse’ has become synonymous with the show – founded on the idea that participating in Strictly Come Dancing (whether as a celebrity or a professional dancer) threatens the status of the relationship you’re in when you sign up.
Presenter Claudia Winkleman has repeatedly shot down the curse, once saying that it’s less a supernatural occurrence as merely the Strictly experience being “intoxicating”.
READ MORE BBC Strictly Come Dancing legend defends Layton after dance history backlash
John Whaite and Johannes Radebe
John Whaite revealed this year he had almost fallen victim to the “Strictly curse” when he appeared on the BBC series in 2021.
He was partnered with Johannes Radebe as the show’s first-ever male same-sex pairing.
In a recent interview, John suggested he “fell in love” with the dancer despite being engaged to his partner of 15 years, Paul Atkins. “I can’t speak for [Johannes] – because I’m not allowed to, legally – but it felt like there was love there,” he said.
The Great British Bake Off winner revealed he and his other half then spent a bit of time apart before getting back together. In another interview, Johannes addressed John’s revelation, apparently “keen” to emphasise “the platonic nature of their connection”.
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Seann Walsh and Katya Jones
One of the most famous instances took place in 2018, when Seann Walsh and Katya Jones were caught on camera kissing after a night out, despite them both being in relationships at the time.
Seann’s then-girlfriend released a statement, accusing him of gaslighting her, with the former couple later calling it quits.
The comedian and Katya both issued an apology at the time and the professional dancer continued her relationship with husband Neil Jones. After six years of marriage, in August 2019, Neil and Katya announced their separation, but dismissed claims that the Strictly scandal was anything to do with the break-up.
Strictly rifts
Away from the glitz and glamour of the Strictly ballroom, the BBC show has been hit with rumoured feuds and backstage spats between co-stars, dancers and even judges. These rifts made headlines which threatened to take away the shine of the show.
Anton Du Beke and Bruno Tonioli
Original Strictly judge Bruno Tonioli was replaced by Anton Du Beke on the judging panel in 2021 due to travel restrictions as a result of Covid making it difficult for him to fly between Los Angeles, where he judges the US version Dancing With The Stars to join the panel in the UK.
Last year the change became permanent, but there were rumours of a feud when Bruno commented: “Good for him. He needs the money.”
Anton dismissed the feud rumours, saying Bruno was only joking. He later admitted he hadn’t spoken to Bruno since he was given the judging job.
Arlene Phillips
After five years on Strictly, Arlene Phillips was suddenly axed from the panel in 2009, and was replaced by then-champion Alesha Dixon, who was 26 years her junior.
The decision sparked controversy at the time, with many accusing the BBC of age discrimination.
Labour MP Harriet Harman even brought up the issue in the House of Commons.
Break ups
Throughout the years the show has gone on to see dance partner’s get married and have children including Rachel Riley and professional dancer Pasha Kovalev, who have since welcomed two daughters, to Stacey Dooley and pro-dancer Kevin Clifton announcing the arrival of their baby girl Minnie earlier this year.
But there are those celebrities who have competed on the show and decided to call time on their marriages.
Louise Redknapp and Jamie Redknapp
Louise appeared on the series in 2016, after which she and Jamie were said to be facing marital issues. By the end of 2017, they were divorced after 18 years of marriage.
Louise told The Guardian in 2019, suggesting that being on Strictly merely revived her passion for performing, having dropped out of the spotlight to raise her family. “Strictly put the fire back in my belly, but it didn’t break up my relationship,” she said.
The pair have since moved on with Jamie tying the knot with Frida Andersson in 2021 and they have welcomed a son together. Meanwhile, Louise has also found love again with boyfriend Drew Michael, having gone Instagram official earlier this year.
Kevin and Karen Clifton
Thrice-married Kevin was partnered with Louise during the 2016 series and at the time he was married to fellow dancer Karen.
But in March 2018, they confirmed that they were no longer together romantically.
They continued to work together as a pro dance partnership, until Kevin quit the show in 2020. He began dating Stacey Dooley months after the duo won Strictly in 2019. Karen married Jordan Wyn-Jones in June 2022 but recent reports have since claimed the pair have parted ways.
Strictly ‘fix’ speculation
Viewers often issue the same complaint every year when their show favourite gets voted out of the competition or fume at the judges scoring with many claiming the show is fixed.
Last year the BBC shut down those claims after Rachel Riley suggested the winner is chosen at the outset and added the show is heavily “over produced”.
In 2022, Rachel told The Sunday Times Magazine: “I think they know from the start who they want to win and what journeys they want to take different people on, to have the right balance, and they can obviously fix the scores.”
The claims were met with a strong denial from the BBC.
A BBC spokesperson said: “This claim is categorically untrue. The BBC has strict procedures and editorial guidelines in place regarding impartiality and Strictly upholds all of these.”
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