Strictly Come Dancing was named best talent show at the National Television Awards on Wednesday, prevailing over The Great British Bake Off and Britain’s Got Talent, even as the BBC series continues to face multiple controversies and investigations.
The programme’s regular presenters and many of its professional dancers were not at the ceremony, the BBC having scheduled them to pre-record the launch episode of the next series. Instead, recent contestants Pete Wicks, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri and Montell Douglas went on stage to accept the award. Wicks and Gill thanked viewers during brief acceptance remarks, with Wicks also praising the show’s backstage crew. Gill paid tribute to 2024 winners Chris McClusland and Dianne Buswell, saying they had "made history" as McClusland became the first blind winner of the competition.
The victory comes as Strictly has been embroiled in a string of controversies in recent years, many of which have drawn public and internal scrutiny. In August, Metropolitan Police officers arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse in a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary. A Met spokesman said officers arrested the man on Aug. 22 and that enquiries were ongoing, adding that specialist officers were supporting the alleged victim. A BBC spokesperson declined to comment on an ongoing police investigation.
Past disputes involving the show include the dismissal of performer Wynne Evans after he apologised for an unacceptable remark at a publicity event; the removal of professional dancer Graziano Di Prima after he admitted kicking his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott; and bullying complaints made by Amanda Abbington about her professional partner Giovanni Pernice, some of which an internal probe upheld. Those incidents took place across the 2023 and 2024 series and prompted internal investigations and personnel changes.
Separately, the BBC has been reported to have engaged law firm Russells to examine allegations of drug use by two unnamed individuals connected to the show. The claims, made in a written submission, include assertions that cocaine use and drinking during working hours occurred on set. The broadcaster said it has "clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint" and would encourage people with concerns to speak to it. A source quoted in reports said the BBC was considering offering professional support to the two individuals and weighing the introduction of random drug checks for the touring production, although the corporation did not confirm plans for testing on the main show.
Former and current crew members who spoke to national newspapers described a culture of late-night after-show gatherings where alcohol and drugs were allegedly present. Those accounts, presented to the BBC and to law advisers, describe incidents at Elstree and at the Blackpool special. The BBC said it would not comment further while matters were being pursued through formal channels.
Producers and senior executives face the task of balancing the programme’s popularity with staff and participant welfare, safety on a physically demanding production, and public confidence. Strictly remains one of the BBC’s most-watched entertainment properties, and the NTAs win underscored its continued commercial and audience appeal despite the controversies.
The National Television Awards on Wednesday also honoured other programmes across categories, with winners including I’m a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! in reality competition and Michael McIntyre’s Big Show in entertainment. Strictly’s award adds to the programme’s long history of recognition at UK television ceremonies even as investigations and internal reviews continue ahead of the show's return to screens in 2025.