UNACCEPTABLE: BBC blasted for treating older viewers with ‘arrogant disdain’ in Strictly row

The BBC has come under fire from campaigners for older people (Image: Getty)

The BBC has come under fire from campaigners for older people after axing telephone voting on Strictly Come Dancing. The broadcaster said the phone-in voting system was “outdated” and expensive to run, and is instead urging people to use their online BBC account to cast votes for the dancing competition.

But the Silver Voices campaign group said the decision sidelines many older people and highlights how the corporation is treating them with “arrogant disdain”. Director Dennis Reed said: “The fury over the axing of telephone voting on popular shows on the BBC such as Strictly is completely justified.

“Thousands of older people in particular, who are not online, are being denied the right to be involved in participative entertainment which they pay for through the licence fee. To ask people without a smartphone to scan a QR code on the screen is frustrating gobbledygook for many Silver Voices members.

“This is yet another example of how BBC executives view their loyal older viewers, that is with arrogant disdain.”

Mr Reed claimed the move was linked to the looming switch-off of terrestrial television.

He added: “There are already constant nudges on BBC programmes to register with iPlayer and many BBC services and programmes which are only available if you have fast broadband in the house.

“Any decision to scrap the current universal Freeview TV system in the UK, which has huge public support even amongst those who do use streaming services, would cause public uproar. Making access to TV contingent on buying an expensive broadband product would undermine democracy.”

Viewers will now only be able to vote online for BBC programmes such as Strictly, Eurovision and Sports Personality of the Year.

A BBC spokesperson said: “We understand that the changes to the premium-rate phone vote is disappointing for some viewers.

“We know fans of Strictly who like to vote by phone will be impacted and it’s not something we would have chosen.

“The decision to discontinue such services was made by BT, who previously supplied this to service providers working with the BBC and other broadcasters.

“We have carefully explored phone voting alternatives that would be in-line with Ofcom regulations, including ensuring that the Strictly vote is timely and reliable.

“Unfortunately, no viable replacement is available and so voting will now take place online for all BBC programmes.

“Online voting is already the most popular method for voting on BBC shows with the majority of votes in the last series of Strictly cast this way.

“To support those new to online voting, clear instructions will be provided during the show. All you need to cast a vote is a free BBC account, which is quick and easy to set up.”