Can the BBC series survive its biggest crisis in 20 years?

We've consulted with crisis specialists.

July 15th 2024.

Can the BBC series survive its biggest crisis in 20 years?
Strictly Come Dancing, the beloved British reality show that has been captivating audiences for the past 20 years, is facing its biggest crisis yet. Since its debut in 2004, the show has been a Saturday night staple, with its simple yet entertaining concept of professional dancers teaching celebrities how to dance. It quickly became the crown jewel of the BBC, bringing joy to households across the UK.

Throughout its 21 seasons, Strictly has weathered a few scandals, most notably the so-called "Strictly curse" where romantic relationships have formed between dance partners, causing drama both on and off the dance floor. There have also been instances of professional dancers not getting along with their celebrity partners, but the BBC has always managed to come out relatively unscathed, with the allure of the coveted glitterball trophy only growing stronger with each passing year.

However, in recent weeks, there has been a noticeable shift in the atmosphere surrounding the show. In what can only be described as unfortunate timing, the show's 20th anniversary celebrations have coincided with its biggest crisis to date. Two professional dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, have been accused of behaving inappropriately towards their celebrity partners.

In light of these allegations, the show has taken a hit to its wholesome image. As a high-profile show for the BBC, these allegations have brought unwanted attention and caused significant disruption. Press Box PR's head of talent management, Lynn Carratt, summed it up by saying, "The allegations are tarnishing Strictly's wholesome brand."

While it may have come as a shock to many viewers, Carratt explains that the highly competitive nature of professional dancers could have potentially led to this outcome. These individuals have spent years perfecting their craft and are now tasked with teaching complete novices complex dance routines. While it's important to address any complaints and issues, it's also crucial to acknowledge the passion and work ethic of the dancers and celebrities who have contributed to the show's success.

When harnessed in the right way, this passion has led to some incredible moments on the show, such as Rose Ayling-Ellis's Bafta-winning dance to silence and non-dancers like Hamza Yassin going from underdog to champion. However, as Carratt points out, this is not an excuse for inappropriate behavior, but it's essential to consider the complexity of the situation.

As the allegations have now become public knowledge, the BBC will undoubtedly be working to rebuild the show's perfect image. Fortunately, Strictly is much bigger than any individual involved, be it the dancers, celebrities, or judges. The show's brand is more significant, and hopefully, with time, it will be able to recover from this crisis and continue to bring joy to audiences for many years to come.
Strictly Come Dancing is currently facing one of its biggest crises in the 20 years since it first graced our TV screens in 2004. What started out as a seemingly flawless concept - professional dancers teaching celebrities how to perform a two-minute routine - quickly became the BBC's crown jewel, bringing joy to households across the UK on Saturday nights. Despite facing a few scandals along the way, from the infamous "Strictly curse" to some professional dancers not seeing eye to eye with their partners, the show has always managed to come out relatively unscathed, with its popularity only growing year after year.

However, in recent weeks, things have taken a turn for the worse. Just as the show was gearing up to celebrate its impressive longevity, it has been hit with allegations of misconduct by two of its professional dancers - Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima. These accusations couldn't have come at a worse time for the show, and it has certainly put a damper on the upcoming season. But despite these challenges, the show must go on.

Pernice is currently under investigation after his former partner, actress Amanda Abbington, quit the show after just five weeks and went on to speak out about her negative experience. She has since described him as "tough," "nasty," and "brutal," and it has been reported that other former partners have also had issues with his training methods. Pernice has denied any allegations of abusive or threatening behavior and is determined to clear his name.

Meanwhile, Di Prima has also found himself in hot water after it was claimed that he "kicked and hit" his partner, Zara McDermott. He has since apologized for his actions and acknowledged that his intense passion and determination to win may have affected his training regime. As a result, neither of these dancers will be participating in the upcoming season.

These allegations have certainly put a dent in the show's wholesome image, and it has caused significant disruption for the BBC. As the head of talent management at Press Box PR, Lynn Carratt, put it, "The allegations are tarnishing Strictly's brand." While no one could have predicted this level of negativity, it's worth noting that the professional dancers on the show are highly competitive individuals who have spent years honing their craft. Now, they are tasked with training complete novices in complex routines, which can be a challenging and high-pressure situation.

But despite these challenges, the show's success cannot be solely attributed to any one individual. As Carratt pointed out, "Strictly is bigger than its stars." The show's brand is more significant than any individual involved, including the dancers, celebrities, and judges. And while it's important to address any complaints and issues, it's also crucial to recognize the passion and hard work of the dancers and celebrities who have contributed to the show's success.

In the end, the show must go on, and the BBC will no doubt be working hard to rebuild its perfect image. And with its loyal fanbase and dedicated professionals behind the scenes, there's no doubt that Strictly Come Dancing will continue to shine and bring joy to households for many years to come. As Carratt wisely stated, "While this is not an excuse for any of the alleged behavior, it's important to consider the complexity of the situation." Let's hope that the show can overcome these challenges and continue to deliver magical moments like Rose Ayling-Ellis' Bafta-winning dance and underdog Hamza Yassin's victory. After all, Strictly is more than just a dance competition - it's a beloved institution that has captured the hearts of millions.

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