Strictly has been issued a stern warning by a PR expert amid the sting of fresh scandals.

The glitzy BBC One show has found itself in the headlines over the past few months. Earlier this year, 2024 star Wynne Evans came under fire after he allegedly made inappropriate comments to Janette Manrara.

And at the weekend, a drugs scandal – concerning alleged cocaine use – got plenty of people talking, with the BBC launching an investigation into alleged drug use by two stars.

Then this week, Strictly fans were dealt another blow when pro dancer Gorka Marquez announced he will not be competing on the show this year.

But now, a PR expert has told ED! that amid the controversies, Strictly could be “entering a make-or-break phase”.

Wynne found himself in the headlines (Credit: ITV)

Strictly ‘in a reputational wobble’ amid scandal

It’s fair to say it’s been a dramatic time in the world of Strictly Come Dancing at the moment. The long-running show has been hit with what seems to be scandal after scandal recently.

Talking to ED!, Joseph Hagan from Streamline PR noted that the programme “is clearly in a bit of a reputational wobble”.

He explained: “Long-running formats like this inevitably face fatigue, but what makes it more precarious now is the cumulative nature of these headlines: drug scandals, cast walkouts, and public criticism from insiders like Wynne Evans.”

Revealing how these controversies can affect the show, Joseph added: “When these incidents start stacking up in the press, it dents audience trust and chips away at the show’s feel-good factor, which is Strictly’s core appeal.”

Gorka is not taking part this year (Credit: ITV)

Strictly ‘in make-or-break phase’

However, Joseph pointed out that he ‘doesn’t think it’s the end of Strictly yet’.

He explained: “The BBC knows the value of Strictly as a cultural institution. It still delivers on ratings and multi-generational viewing. What it needs now is a return to clarity, re-centring the talent, refocusing the storytelling. And making sure the backstage noise doesn’t drown out the core of what the show does best.

“Transparency helps too. Audiences are more forgiving when a show acknowledges missteps rather than brushing them under the rug.”

Issuing a stern warning, Joseph added: “Ultimately, it’s salvageable, but it does feel like we’re entering a make-or-break phase. The next series will need to prove it still has a clear identity and purpose or risk being outshone by fresher formats.”

Read more: Martine McCutcheon tipped for Strictly stint following marriage split and second bankruptcy

BBC Radio 2 star Zoe Ball has opened up about the terrifying moment her car was broken into, an experience that left her in tears and “frozen” with shock.

Speaking candidly on her Dig It podcast with co-host Jo Whiley, the former Strictly star, 54, revealed that the incident took place just after she finished filming The One Show last week.

Zoe opened up about the experience in an episode of her podcast, Dig It (Credit: Dig It via YouTube)

Zoe Ball opens up about break in

“Someone had smashed the front window of my car,” Zoe shared. “That’s never happened to me before.”

The break-in occurred after she parked her car near the studio and unknowingly left a bag on the front seat.

“I did a stupid thing,” she admitted. “I was so busy running into The One Show with my suits and my bag and everything… and I left a bag on the front seat. Big no-no in London, idiot. Luckily, nothing in it except my diary.”

Zoe described the surreal moment she returned to find the damage, describing herself as “a bit frozen”.

With the front passenger window completely smashed, the resourceful radio host made a makeshift repair on the spot.

After rummaging through her car, she discovered a poncho and decided to utilise it.

“I wrapped [it] around the smashed door [and] slammed it tight and was like, ‘Right, okay, I’m probably going to have to drive from London to Brighton at 30 miles an hour.’” She recalled. “But do you know what? I got up to 60, and it was very loud!”

Zoe admitted that the break-in left her ‘frozen’ and in tears (Credit: SplashNews)

‘I got in and had a massive cry’

Zoe kept her spirits up with the help of some familiar voices – her co-host, Jo Whiley, and Bob Harris.

“I’ve never heard the country show quite so loud in my ear,” she joked. “But you both got me home safely, thank you.”

However, she admitted the experience left her shaken.

“I got in and had a massive cry,” she confessed. “It was good, I love a big blub. The ones where you wake up in the morning and your face is a bit swollen and you’re like, ‘Well, I’m glad I got that out.’”

Co-host Jo then shared her own experience of being targeted in London, saying, “A boy on a bike just literally snatched [my phone] from my hand. And then you having something [happen] like this. It’s just so disappointing that people would do that to another person.”

While thankfully nothing valuable was taken, Zoe says the emotional impact of the incident hit hard.