Strictly Come Dancing returned to a backdrop of scandal on the eve of its new series, with Thomas Skinner admitting he had a past affair, while a drugs probe involving two of the show’s stars broadened and an ex-contestant was arrested on suspicion of rape. The triple blow underscores a period of turmoil for the BBC ballroom hit that has marketed itself as family-friendly entertainment.
Skinner’s admission comes as the BBC publicly stood by the former Apprentice contestant. He acknowledged a fling that began shortly after their 2022 wedding, describing the lapse as a “moment of madness” and saying he had since owned up to his mistake. The BBC told Daily Mail this week that it would stand by Skinner as he prepares to compete when the show returns this weekend. The revelation has intensified scrutiny of the show’s culture and management as production gears up for the new run.
In August, police disclosed that a male former Strictly contestant had been arrested on suspicion of rape, with authorities also investigating non-consensual intimate-image abuse. The investigation is ongoing, and the Met Police said the alleged rape victim is being supported by specialist officers. The arrest was reported by the Mirror and described as part of a broader inquiry into alleged sexual and drug-related offences connected to the show.
Separately, lawyers launched an external probe into cocaine use within the production, with reports that Met Police detectives are examining the claims. A BBC spokesperson stressed that the corporation has protocols and policies for addressing serious complaints, and declined further comment beyond reiterating those guidelines while investigations proceed.
The allegations come as Strictly unveils this year’s lineup to a mixed reception. Critics say the cast features fewer women than men, with several former reality stars among the participants. The 2025 roster includes Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison, Balvinder Sopal, and Ellie Goldstein, along with athletes and actors. The debate over who qualifies as a “celebrity” for the series continues to simmer as the show heads into its new run.
Past turmoil surrounding Strictly has only amplified the spotlight on this season. In recent years, the program has contended with a string of high-profile controversies, including the firing of Graziano Di Prima for alleged abusive conduct toward a partner, and the departure of longtime pro Giovanni Pernice amid a separate bullying dispute. The show has also faced waves of criticism over past staff conduct, sexism and racism accusations, and on-air missteps during voting.
Together, those incidents have seeded a narrative of a show that, despite its popularity, has repeatedly faced questions about its culture behind the scenes. In some cases, the controversies have spurred formal reviews, apologies to participants, and staff changes, while fans have debated the show’s future direction and whether it can retain its family-friendly image while continuing to air provocative headlines.
As the new series is set to begin this weekend, BBC executives say they are maintaining a firm stance on safeguarding and conduct. The broadcaster emphasized that it has clear protocols for handling serious complaints and that it will support participants and staff as investigations unfold. While the lineup and the ongoing inquiries are likely to dominate headlines in the early weeks of the new run, the corporation also notes that Strictly remains a flagship entertainment franchise with a long history of resilience amid controversy.