OPINION: Time for the BBC to AXE irrelevant Strictly Come Dancing before it’s TOO LATE

If nobody else will say it, I will: Strictly Come Dancing has had its day. Once the jewel in the BBC’s crown, it brought sequins and family-friendly Saturday night TV into our living rooms. But after two decades, the show has been dragged down by endless scandals, off-screen controversies, and a format that feels hopelessly dated in a world that has moved on.

When Strictly launched in 2004, it was fresh and exciting. The idea of celebrities stepping out of their comfort zones to learn the waltz or samba was wholesome and entertaining. It was a genuine feel-good show that attracted real stars, but times have changed, and so has the calibre of participants. While the second series featured instantly recognisable names such as Carol Vorderman, Jill Halfpenny, Julian Clary, Denis Lewis, and Aled Jones, the latest season has a line-up of nobodies. When the most significant signing for the public broadcaster is a former Apprentice contestant with a criminal background, you know it’s time to call it a day.

In 2025, audiences consume dance content daily on TikTok and Instagram, where performances rack up millions of views in minutes. Next to that, Strictly’s drawn-out weekly eliminations and heavily stage-managed drama feel like a relic of another era. Not many people have the time or patience to sit through a two and a half hour episode every Saturday for two months.

And then there are the ‘scandals’ which, for many, are the only reason they might tune in to the long-winded series, the so-called Strictly curse has dominated headlines since it began. Kristina Rihanoff’s affair with Ben Cohen, Rachel Riley’s split from her husband after her partnership with Pasha Kovalev, and Seann Walsh’s infamous kiss with Katya Jones in 2018 all far outshone the dancing.

While the public can excuse questionable romantic decisions, what they can not excuse are the string of controversies that have become darker as of late. Giovanni Pernice, once a fan favourite, has faced multiple allegations of bullying and “toxic behaviour” from former celebrity partners.

Wynne Evans also brought scandal to the show (Image: Getty)

Then there was a shocking video of pro dancer Graziano Di Prima appearing abusive towards celebrity partner Zara McDermott that unveiled the level of pressure and harassment behind the scenes, as McDermott admitted being “scared” to speak out about her experience.

This week, further rumours of untoward activity backstage have been shared through various media outlets, and it is a sad reality that instead of it being a show celebrating dance, Strictly is now overshadowed by its demons. What was once heartwarming family TV has been tainted by scandal after scandal. As audiences become more critical, Strictly’s attitude of “never complain, never explain” is no longer satisfactory.

Maybe it’s time the BBC accepted the truth. The magic has long gone, the format is tired, and the scandals have piled up so high they’re impossible to ignore. They should let the series bow out gracefully, while people still remember the joy it once brought. Better to end with dignity than limp on, weighed down by controversy.