Real reason why this year's Strictly line-up is so weak and could spell the END of show as ratings plummet

Scottish Sun

a day ago

THE annual Strictly line-up unveiling usually means bookies pinpoint their favourite contenders, rank outsiders and some potential dark horses.
But this year, in a move likely to rock BBC bosses, betting giants are offering odds on this being the show's final outing.
15
Dani Dyer, 29, reality star daughter of Danny
Credit: Getty
15
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, 36, Nitro on Gladiators
Credit: Getty
15
Alex Kingston, 62, actress from ER and Doctor Who
Credit: Getty
Within an hour of the 15 celebrities being confirmed yesterday, Ladbrokes said there was an 8/1 chance the competition would NOT be back.
It cited the 'underwhelming' line-up, and falling viewing figures for the bleak prediction.
The final three names — former Lioness Karen Carney, Game of Thrones actor Kristian Nairn and showbiz reporter Ross King — clearly didn't impress.
But other worrying trends in the line-up emerged too.
For a second year running just six women have signed up, compared to nine men. Previously the split had been roughly 50/50 between the sexes.
Negativity still lingers
Last year the phenomenon was attributed to the Giovanni Pernice scandal, with some fearing it had put off women from joining.
The Italian prof had been accused of bullying behaviour towards Amanda Abbington on the 2023 show.
Amid that investigation it emerged fellow professional dancer Graziano di Prima had kicked his 2023 Strictly dance partner Zara McDermott, and he was fired last July.
No doubt the Beeb hoped those dark clouds had dispersed, not least because blind comic Chris McCausland's 2024 triumph helped bathe the show in a positive light.
But this year's lack of participants from big TV programmes suggest negativity still lingers.
Kristian Nairn and Karen Carney has been confirmed for Strictly
Conspicuous by their absence are any non-BBC soap stars.
In previous years there has been a peppering from Emmerdale, Coronation Street and Hollyoaks.
Similarly other shows that normally offer up their big talents — BBC Breakfast, Good Morning Britain, This Morning, Loose Women — have kept their distance ahead of the 23rd series starting next month.
Pop stars, fashion icons and politicians have also steered clear.
A TV insider said: 'There's an air of caution among big stars and big shows, who all seem to be biding their time to see if there's still a whiff of the scandal that tainted the show last year.
15
Chris Robshaw, 39, ex-England rugby union captain
Credit: Getty
15
George Clarke, 25, YouTuber and podcast host
Credit: Instagram
15
Balvinder Sopal, 46, EastEnders matriarch Suki Panesar
Credit: Getty
'That's been borne out in some of the payments made to stars this year, even those who you wouldn't consider to be A-listers.
'Rumours are that savvy agents have bumped up their fees knowing the talent pool has shrunk.
'There are even whispers that big stars were toying with taking part, then decided against it after careful consideration.
They haven't condemned the show to history quite yet, they've just adopted a 'wait and see' approach
TV insider
'The fear seems to be that the Giovanni saga, combined with the Gregg Wallace affair on MasterChef and the Huw Edwards debacle, have left Auntie Beeb looking more like a weird uncle.
'They haven't condemned the show to history quite yet, they've just adopted a 'wait and see' approach.'
Strictly previously landed huge stars and popular household names, particularly in the early years — from fashion icons Jodie Kidd and Jerry Hall to Spice Girl Emma Bunton and Girls Aloud singer Kimberley Walsh.
Politicians including Ann Widdecombe, Ed Balls and even former Home Secretary Jacqui Smith have all donned their dancing shoes.
Other belters who have taken part are Kym Marsh, Jason Donovan, Sus­anna Reid, Gillian Taylforth, Denise van Outen and Holly Valance.
15
Stefan Dennis, 66, who played Paul Robinson in Neighbours
Credit: Getty
15
Ellie Goldstein, 23, who is a model and influencer
Credit: Bav Media
15
Thomas Skinner, 34, The Apprentice candidate and businessman
Credit: BBC
This year there is just one soap star, EastEnders' Balvinder Sopal. As with Gladiators' Nitro, both were selected from Beeb programmes — making them safe bets for the broadcaster.
The rest are made up of reality TV stars Vicky Pattison and Dani Dyer, three sports figures — Karen, Chris Robshaw and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.
Then there's George Clarke, who is virtually unknown outside of YouTube, and drag artist La Voix.
The only other actress is ER and Doctor Who star Alex Kingston.
And Thursday's reveal of former Apprentice candidate Thomas Skinner — known for his outspoken ­political views on social media — caused instant controversy.
The show faces a particularly tough challenge to win over audiences this year too, with viewing figures on the wane.
15
Reality star Vicky Pattison, 37
Credit: Getty
15
Ross King, 63, showbiz reporter on Lorraine and Good Morning Britain
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
15
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, 53, football manager and former player
Credit: Getty
In 2021, Strictly's first episode had 9.1million views, and its second had 10.6million. By last year that had fallen to 7.4million and 9.3million respectively.
That's an average fall of 1.5million views over three years — or 500,000 annually.
Few other shows could justify continuing at that rate of decline.
'Odds against them'
Adding further to its woes is the fact BBC stablemate Celebrity ­Traitors is expected to air this autumn, which could not only confuse viewers but make Strictly pale by comparison.
Both are hosted by Claudia ­Winkleman and feature a large group of famous faces competing with each other before someone is voted out.
But Celebrity Traitors boasts an A-list line-up including Stephen Fry, Alan Carr, Tom Daley, Jonathan Ross and Clare Balding.
15
La Voix Aryeetey, 33, drag Queen as seen on BGT and Ru Paul's Drag Race
15
Kristian Nairn, 45, actor, best known for Game Of Thrones
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
15
Karen Carney, 38, sports journalist and ex-football player
Credit: Shutterstock Editorial
It's better, some would say, than the new selection of Strictly stars.
If the two series air during the same weeks, viewers might feel forced to choose just one — and the hugely popular newcomer's first star-studded outing is more likely to triumph.
Then there are inevitable comparisons with other celebrity-based shows, such as Big Brother and I'm A Celebrity, both on ITV.
This year Big Brother had Hollywood's Mickey Rourke topping the bill.
While over the past four years A-listers including Coleen Rooney, Nigel Farage, Matt Hancock, Boy George and David Ginola have competed in the jungle smash.
It seems the days when the appeal of the show alone could bring in huge stars may have passed.
TV insider
An insider said: 'Of course the BBC can't be seen to splash cash on huge names in the same way that commercial channels and streamers are able to.
'The irony is that this year they haven't splurged on big names, but in some cases they ended up pay­ing over the odds for talent anyway.
'It seems the days when the appeal of the show alone could bring in huge stars may have passed. Now bosses will be praying they can one day bring them back.
'But the odds are, literally, against them.'
A BBC spokesperson said: 'We don't recognise this anonymous
source's claims. We're delighted with our Class of 2025.'