Controversies Strictly Come Dancing

1 controversies

1.1 phone voting
1.2 arlene phillips / alesha dixon
1.3 race row
1.4 same-sex couples

controversies
phone voting

in december 2008, show hit headlines when viewers able register telephone votes couple not save dance off irrespective of how many public votes cast in favour. tom chambers , camilla dallerup had finished bottom of leaderboard, whilst 2 other couples tied above them; meant not mathematically survive given scoring system, viewers invited call in save favourites @ cost of 15p per vote. resulted in elimination week being cancelled , votes being carried on final.

arlene phillips / alesha dixon

the decision drop arlene phillips judging line-up 2009 series of strictly come dancing led criticism being directed @ bbc various uk newspapers, notably sun, running axe headline story handling of older female television personalities. accusations resurfaced bbc routinely discriminates against women in television based on age. notable examples of purported age discrimination in bbc include release of newsreader moira stuart in 2007 , retirement of anna ford in 2006. other high-profile bbc personalities such selina scott , kate adie accused bbc of age discrimination towards women.

the axing of phillips led unprecedented intervention government s minister women , equality, harriet harman. during session in house of commons, harman responded questions stating believed decision drop phillips motivated age discrimination , called on bbc ensure taking part in new series. bbc has not formally responded request, has repeated comments decision not due age. appointment of alesha dixon judging panel prompted 5,000 complaints bbc, , judging debut met hostility among viewers , tabloids alike subsequently believed successful judge, giving both praise , constructive criticism. dixon lured away show after series 9 itv join judging panel of britain s got talent. phillips popular media choice replace her, role instead went series 7 guest judge darcey bussell.

race row

in 2009, scandal embroiled show involving professional dancer anton du beke, in off air conversation commented oh god, paki. dance partner of moroccan descent laila rouass has subsequently unreservedly apologised. whilst both of people involved insisted comments had been intended humorous banter, news nevertheless prompted numerous complaints filed viewers calling du beke removed position.

same-sex couples

in 2015, cj de mooi said turned down show because had wanted dance same-sex partner. in response, bbc said strictly family show , have chosen traditional format of mixed-sex couples . issue came again in 2016 when young (who gay) due appear on show. bbc said appearing alongside female dancer, , released statement saying show has chosen traditional latin , ballroom format of mixed-sex couples.