Shortly after the launch show of Strictly Come Dancing In 2024, co-host Tess Daly will be appearing on “Magical Strictly “Glitter Ball”.
As the show approaches its 20th anniversary, has Glitterball been irreparably damaged?
Contestant Amanda Abbington accused her professional dance partner Giovanni Pernice of “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean” behavior during training last season, all of which Pernice denies.
The BBC's internal investigation, reportedly costing £250,000, is expected to produce results before the series officially begins. Since the allegations were made, Abbington has been the target of death and rape threats against herself and her children.
Another dancer, Graziano Di Prima, left the show following allegations of “verbal” and “physical” aggression towards his celebrity partner Zara McDermott. A video was reportedly seen Di Prima “kicking” McDermott. Di Prima apologised but said it was a one-off. He is now reportedly suing the BBC for failing to provide him with “support and assistance” when the allegations came to light.
The bad news continued. In August, former professional player Artyom Chigvintsev Strictly Actress Jessica McGregor, who co-starred with Kara Tointon in 2010 and left the show in 2013, was arrested in California on suspicion of domestic violence.
of observer In July it was reported that former production staff had complained about a toxic work culture, with a BBC News investigation of 15 junior production staff revealing a “toxic” atmosphere and one junior member claiming to have been verbally abused.
In preparation for the new series, the BBC has increased benefits and support, including “chaperoning” the production team in rehearsal rooms.
meanwhile Strictly Although the company has been embroiled in scandals before, this one is on a whole different level. The hosts, husband and wife Daly and Claudia Winkleman, and the dancers, were delighted. Strictly Winning the talent show category at last week's National Television Awards (voted by viewers) might be interpreted as a relief.
I'm sure I'm not the only one watching the show's opening episode and wondering whether the show's legendary reputation as a wholesome “family show” has been irreparably damaged.
After a cheerful, candy-colored opening scene, Strictly Gangsters on a bus Breakdown (Maybe a bit too obvious?) And then the show begins.
Host: Daly is in a sparkly silver outfit and Winkleman is in a white suit (their outfit combination has a “cruise ship gangster couple heading to the casino” vibe).
Judges: Lead judge Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton du Beke.
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Contestants include visually impaired comedian Chris McCausland, Olympic gold medallist swimmer Tom Dean, singer Toyah Wilcox (with her husband, King Crimson's Robert Fripp, cheering her on from the stands), presenter Nick Knowles and former Arsenal and England footballer Paul Merson. Love Island Contestants include Tasha Gourri, who is deaf and has a cochlear implant. Fan-favourite Amy Dowden, who has completed treatment for breast cancer, will also be returning as a dancer. Last year's winner, former Coronation Street Actors Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola take to the floor and perform paso dobles with ferocious vigor.
There will be no same-sex couples this year, and no politicians (ahh, the sweet, innocent madness of Ed Balls' Gangnam Style in 2016).
But there's a clear imbalance between the number of male and female contestants: 5 women to 10 men. Who knows if women are less willing to take part in the pageant after the controversy. Strictly They're from the '24 class, but once the contestants sit on plush sofas and are introduced to their professional partners (McCauland and Diane Buswell, singers JB Gill and Dowden, Wilcox and Neil Jones, among others), the inconsistencies start to become apparent.
Similarly Strictly Everyone is overjoyed (overjoyed!) with their partners. And the contestants/pros are dancing in groups (Liquid Gold Dance to wake up dizzy), it sometimes looks like a neon-colored highway pileup, and that's it, really.
That's it Strictly That's what a launch show is supposed to be: viewers might marvel at the pairings a little, speculate about who'll get the sparkly boots first (no offense to Marson, but the group dance looked like they were chasing chickens across the dance floor). So why am I nervously gripping the arms of my sofa?
Part of the appeal of Saturday night's big-name show is that it's always comfortable yet confident — quietly sure of its illustrious place in the world of light entertainment. Was it just me, or did this opening show feel more tense than usual? More nervous than sparkling? Was the judges' friendliness a little strained? Were Daly and Winkleman's smiles a little too wide and determined?
In the end, the show will try to solve all the problems in a big way. At this stage, it is unclear whether it will achieve this and all the problems will be solved. Happy 20th birthday, StrictlyFor now, the show goes on.
