Saturday night saw the glittering return of Strictly Come Dancing, as the show marked its 20th season with a dazzling opening number. The star-studded spectacle welcomed a new batch of celebrities to the ballroom, but there was no mention of the controversies that clouded the show during the off-season.
The launch show kicked off with vibrant performances and revealed the celebrity-professional pairings for this year’s competition. Among the highlights was the triumphant return of professional dancer Amy Dowden, who was diagnosed with cancer last year. Dowden’s emotional comeback was celebrated with a special performance that left audiences teary-eyed and inspired.
In total, the night featured five spectacular performances, including one by reigning champions Ellie Leach and Vito Coppola, who wowed the crowd with a fiery Paso Doble. As always, the professional dancers set the stage ablaze with their stunning routine, making it clear that this season would be filled with intense competition and extraordinary talent.
However, one thing notably absent from the show was any acknowledgment of the allegations made by former contestants about their treatment behind the scenes. Actress Amanda Abbington recently claimed her former dance partner had been “cruel and mean,” while TV star Zara McDermott opened up about “incredibly distressing” incidents she experienced during rehearsals.
The BBC responded to the claims by making changes to the show’s structure. New chaperones are now present in all rehearsal rooms, and two welfare producers have been appointed to ensure the safety and well-being of the contestants. The network has reaffirmed its commitment to taking issues seriously and acting on any complaints.
Meet the Strictly Come Dancing 2024 Couples!
The new crop of celebrities was revealed back in August, but the suspense surrounding their professional partners came to an end last night. Here’s the complete lineup of pairings:
- Chris McCausland & Dianne Buswell
- Jamie Borthwick & Michelle Tsiakkas
- JB Gill & Amy Dowden MBE
- Montell Douglas & Johannes Radebe
- Nick Knowles & Luba Mushtuk
- Paul Merson & Karen Hauer
- Pete Wicks & Jowita Przystał
- Punam Krishan & Gorka Márquez
- Sam Quek MBE & Nikita Kuzmin
- Sarah Hadland & Vito Coppola
- Shayne Ward & Nancy Xu
- Tasha Ghouri & Aljaž Škorjanec
- Tom Dean MBE & Nadiya Bychkova
- Toyah Willcox & Neil Jones
- Wynne Evans & Katya Jones
As the glitterball gets rolling, fans can expect the usual array of themed weeks, including Halloween, Musicals, and the ever-popular Blackpool special. The live shows begin next week, promising plenty of drama, dazzling costumes, and fierce competition as the couples vie for the coveted glitterball trophy.
Strictly Behind the Scenes: A Show Under Scrutiny
While Strictly returned with all the glitz and glamour fans have come to expect, it’s impossible to ignore the behind-the-scenes issues that have cast a shadow over the show. Two dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, were dropped from the lineup following complaints about their behavior in rehearsals. Pernice faced allegations of mistreating his former dance partner Amanda Abbington, although he has denied the claims. Meanwhile, Di Prima’s representative admitted that he accidentally kicked his partner Zara McDermott during a training session last year.
The BBC is currently investigating the incidents, and former contestants, including TV presenter Laura Whitmore and Paralympian Will Bayley, have also spoken out about the pressures they faced during their time on the show.
Despite the controversies, the 2024 contestants are determined to focus on their own journeys. Nick Knowles shared his thoughts, saying, “It’s important that people are listened to, and they have been, so that seems to me all good.” Fellow contestant Tasha Ghouri echoed this sentiment, adding, “It’s about moving forward.”
As the new season gets underway, one thing is clear: the dancefloor may have its fair share of drama off-screen, but the magic of Strictly Come Dancing continues to captivate viewers across the country.
Also read: Emmy 2024 Highlights: From “Baby Reindeer” Triumph To A Tartan-Wearing
