BBC Weighs "Crisis Meeting" for Strictly Come Dancing Amid Ratings Slump
Show insiders report producers are 'bereft' over current series' reception and are planning major overhauls for next year.
Senior producers for BBC's Strictly Come Dancing are reportedly planning a crisis meeting to address declining ratings and criticism surrounding the current series. Insiders suggest that while the show's fundamental quality is not in doubt, its current performance is perceived as being at a "League One standard" compared to its former "Premier League" status. Sources indicate that it is likely "too late" to salvage the 24th series, but there is a strong determination to implement significant changes for the following year.
The current season has faced considerable scrutiny, partly due to a new hosting lineup. Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe, and Johannes Radebe took over from long-serving hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. While Willis has been met with praise, Widdicombe and Radebe have reportedly faced criticism for missed cues and timing errors. This follows a previous report that BBC executives acknowledged the need for adjustments to the presenting team, with speculation that Radebe might transition to the judging panel.
Show insiders have also openly discussed challenges in securing high-profile celebrity contestants. After more than two decades on air, many prominent household names have already participated, making it increasingly difficult to attract top-tier talent. "You can see a big extra push to get better names but they are harder and harder to get," a show source commented, noting the show's impressive contestant rosters since 2004.
Despite these challenges, some contestants have garnered significant attention. Jaime Winstone's performances have reportedly impressed notable figures such as Kelly Osbourne and Cara Delevingne, with even Taylor Swift expressing admiration for Winstone's dancing.