Strictly Come Dancing was named best talent show at the National Television Awards on Wednesday, prevailing over the BBC’s The Great British Bake Off and ITV’s Britain’s Got Talent, even as the long-running series continues to be dogged by a series of controversies.
Presenters Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly and much of the professional cast were not at the ceremony, having been unavailable while pre-recording the launch show for the new series. Instead, recent contestants Pete Wicks, JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri and Montell Douglas went on stage to accept the award. Wicks thanked fans and the backstage crew, and Gill praised the 2024 winners, saying they had “made history.”
The victory comes amid a succession of allegations and investigations tied to the show. In August, police arrested a man on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse in a joint investigation by the Metropolitan Police and Hertfordshire Constabulary. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said officers arrested the man on August 22 following a third-party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences and that enquiries were ongoing. The force added that the alleged victim was being supported by specialist officers. The BBC said it would not comment on an ongoing police investigation.
The series has also faced separate, publicised incidents in recent years. In 2024, presenter Wynne Evans was accused of making an unacceptable sexual remark during a press event; he denied intending a sexual comment but was later dismissed by the BBC. In 2023, actor Amanda Abbington raised complaints about professional dancer Giovanni Pernice’s conduct during their partnership. A BBC-commissioned probe cleared Pernice of the "overwhelming majority" of allegations but upheld some complaints of verbal bullying and harassment. That same year, dancer Graziano Di Prima admitted to kicking contestant Zara McDermott during rehearsals and was subsequently removed from the programme.
Allegations of drug use and alcohol consumption on set have added to scrutiny. Media reports said a law firm acting on behalf of a former contestant submitted claims that drug taking by two individuals on the show was "well-known," prompting the BBC to commission an external probe. The BBC has said it has clear protocols and policies for dealing with serious complaints and would encourage anyone with concerns to come forward. A source quoted in media reports said the broadcaster had considered offering professional support to the two people identified and that the option of specialised support would be "on the table" in line with BBC duty-of-care obligations.
A former crew member told media outlets that late-night parties at Elstree and after filming of the Blackpool special could involve heavy drinking and drug use, describing incidents in which cocaine was allegedly offered. The crew member said drug taking and prolonged partying sometimes continued into the early hours. The BBC told reporters it would not be appropriate to comment further on allegations but reiterated that it had protocols to handle serious complaints.
According to reports, the BBC has discussed possible measures including random drug checks for the Strictly tour next year, although the corporation said drug testing would not take place on the main televised show. Any such measures would depend on the outcome of investigations, a source said.
The controversies surrounding Strictly have come as broader scrutiny of BBC programming and personnel continues. The corporation has taken action in other high-profile cases in recent months: Gregg Wallace and John Torode were removed from MasterChef following separate investigations into complaints, and media reports have said BBC bosses were reviewing complaints about Breakfast presenter Naga Munchetty’s conduct. The BBC declined to comment on individual personnel matters beyond confirming that allegations are handled under existing policies.
Producers and network executives face the immediate task of overseeing the launch of the next Strictly series while investigations and inquiries continue. The programme’s win at the NTAs underscores its enduring popularity with viewers even as the broadcaster navigates multiple internal and external reviews.
The Met Police asked anyone with information related to the ongoing criminal investigation to come forward. The BBC said it would follow its established procedures for handling complaints and safeguarding staff and participants while inquiries continue.