Ex-BBC boss calls for Strictly Come Dancing to be paused to ‘save show’s reputation’
A former BBC boss has called for Strictly Come Dancing to be paused next year in order to ‘save’ itself following a string of controversies linked to the programme
An ex-BBC boss has called for Strictly Come Dancing to be paused. They claim that by not bringing the show back next year, it will allow the dance competition to save its reputation.
In recent years, the show has been at the centre of scandals, including allegations of bullying, affairs, drug usage and two arrests on suspicion of rape. Earlier this year, it was also announced that long-term hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman had made the decision to quit after the most recent series, which Lioness icon Karen Carney won.
But with such scandals, an ex-BBC boss believes that putting the brakes on the show for a year gives the corporation the best chance to survive. Despite this, Strictly continues to draw in millions of viewers each week.
Sam Hodges, who worked as communications chief for the license-payer funded corporation for more than a decade, believes that like Glastonbury, it’s time for Strictly to have a “fallow year”. The communications leader said on LinkedIn: “It’s 20+ years since I launched Strictly Come Dancing as an Assistant Publicist at the BBC.
“A non-priority new show with the working title Pro-Celebrity Come Dancing. No one knew the hit it would become.” Sam went on to write: “For the first time though, I think it’s time to take a leaf out of Glastonbury’s book and consider a fallow year for 2026.
“This series has clearly been tough on a whole host of fronts, but reputationally its biggest boost might well come from helping people realise what they’d miss, rather than chasing salvation by rushing into immediate contract talks with new producers, presenters, and cast.
“Things rarely finish on a high in TV – more often an exhausted final series or a controversy that brings things to a sudden or crashing end. Glastonbury’s fallow years increase demand for tickets rather than opening the door to competitors; they allow new energy to return to both the lineup and the land.
“To save the show’s reputation, 2026 might be the year for the BBC and Strictly to do the same.” After Claudia and Tess announced they were stepping down in 2026, fans were stunned. And Shirley Ballas admits it will be ‘sad’ to film the BBC dance programme without the duo as the hosts.
The judge recently said she was “surprised” when she heard that they were stepping down after 11 years fronting the BBC show. Winkleman, 53, and Daly, 56, had fronted the series together since 2014.
Shirley said: “Everyone was surprised. Speaking to Saga Magazine for their January issue, she went on: “I share the changing room next to them, and they are full of giggles and laughter.
“They also showed me the way from when I joined until now, so it will be a sad day when they go.”
The Mirror has approached Strictly Come Dancing for comment.
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