How Strictly 2024 could avoid crisis after summer of controversy
The BBC ballroom contest's glowing reputation was rocked this year
Strictly stars have been coming out in support of the series amid its current crisis, with Janette Manrara the latest to show a “united front”.
The BBC ballroom contestant has been hit by scandal this year, which has rocked its previously stellar reputation. Now, with the 2024 series of the fan favourite just around the corner, all eyes will be on the dancefloor.
Former pro Manrara – who now hosts Strictly spin-off It Takes Two – has said she believes the upcoming series will help celebrate “what Strictly is all about”. Speaking on ITV’s Lorraine, she pointed out that this year is Strictly’s 20th anniversary, plus a couple of major dancers (including her husband Aljaz Skorjanec) are returning to the show.
“Having this united front of joy and happiness and escapism that is really what Strictly is all about… that’s what the last 20 years have been about,” she said.
We have a look at what has happened on Strictly, what people are saying and what could help the show get past its tough year.
What has happened on Strictly?
Strictly’s troubles started after Amanda Abbington pulled out of the 2023 series of the competition early. She had been paired with pro Giovanni Pernice and went on to make allegations about his conduct, which he has denied. In June 2024 Pernice exited the show after nine years but he has made it clear that he looks forward to clearing his name.
Then this summer another pro, Graziano Di Prima, was dropped from the 2024 line-up after it emerged that he was alleged to have kicked celeb partner Love Island star Zara McDermott during rehearsals.
Di Prima apologised, with his spokesman telling the BBC: "There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he's made a mistake. He apologised at the time."
The dancer later told the Daily Mail he had not meant to kick McDermott. "The only thing I can think of is the time I kicked the floor in frustration... I wasn't meaning to kick her," he said. "I'd never, never do that. My foot brushed her after I kicked the floor. Afterwards I hugged her and said I was sorry."
What have the Strictly stars said?
Many Strictly stars have spoken out about the scandal in recent months.
Hosts Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly haven’t commented publicly but head judge Shirley Ballas was quoted as saying that Pernice was a “perfect gentleman”. She told The Mirror: “My feeling for Giovanni is, let them do this investigation or whatever it is they are doing and the truth will come out. I have never ever, ever experienced any ill will or bad feeling or bad sportsmanship or rudeness from him."
She added: "We don't judge anybody until I know absolutely 100%. I won't pass on the gossip unless I know 100% it is true."
Judge Craig Revel Horwood told the Daily Mail: “I only know these people personally from directing them when I do the Strictly Come Dancing Live tour. They’ve been nothing but charming. I haven’t seen any of that."
Former pro Kristina Rihanoff told This Morning after Pernice's exit was announced: "I'm very saddened because I think when you lose one of the best choreographers and dancers on the show, as a professional dancer I can say that it's very sad because he's produced some very memorable dances and took quite a few of his celebrity partners all the way to the final."
What could help save Strictly from its crisis?
20th anniversary celebrations
This year is a special one for the show, as it is celebrating its 20th anniversary. It will mark the milestone with a special one-off programme that promises “a journey through 20 years of unforgettable entertainment featuring iconic performances and plenty of heart-warming interviews with past celebrity stars, professional dancers, and judges”.
When it was announced, Kalpna Patel-Knight, the BBC’s head of entertainment, said: “Strictly Come Dancing is more than just a TV show, it has become an integral part of British culture, bringing families together and inspiring viewers of all ages to embrace the joy of dance.
"Throughout its 20-year history, the show has launched careers, sparked trends, and touched the hearts of millions with its dazzling performances, emotional journeys, and unforgettable moments and we will be showcasing it all in this very special programme.”
It hasn’t been confirmed whether anything in particular is planned to commemorate the milestone during the contest itself, but many Strictly pros and stars have mentioned it in interviews in the run-up to the series so it's thought show bosses probably do have something sparkly up their sleeves.
Aljaz Skorjanec’s return
Something else many fans are waiting for is the return of Aljaz Skorjanec. The Slovenian-born ballroom and Latin champion was a favourite after winning his first series in 2013 with Abbey Clancy, but he decided to quit in 2022.
However, earlier this year he revealed the time was right for him to return to the dancefloor. "I am so thrilled," he said on The One Show.
The dancer, who has a baby girl named Lyra with wife Manrara, went on: "It has been a little while now that I have known and I couldn't wait to tell everyone... I am probably more excited now that I was when I started!"
Amy Dowden’s comeback after cancer
Amy Dowden is set to return to the show this season. The star announced in May last year that she had been diagnosed with breast cancer. In July she said she been given a second cancer diagnosis and she had to sit out last year’s series.
The dancer underwent chemotherapy and had a mastectomy and in February told fans on Instagram that "no evidence of disease" was found during her latest check up.
Dowden has told how the idea of getting back to Strictly spurred her on after she was diagnosed. "That was my life saviour," she told Yahoo and other members of the press in an interview. "To push me through, to get me back on that dance floor. That was the goal."
