Reason for Strictly Come Dancing’s ‘lacklustre’ 2024 cast ‘revealed’

It’s been reported that the BBC has cut the budget for Strictly Come Dancing amid investigations into the recent bullying scandal.

The show has instead diverted the additional money into increased welfare measures on the show ahead of the upcoming 20th season.

The reports come after the full line-up for 2024 has been announced to mixed feelings from fans.

After it was revealed that there was a gender imbalance of nine male celebrities to six female stars, some fans felt the lineup was lacklustre and too heavily male.

This comes following the controversy that the show has faced recently over bullying and abuse allegations from former female contestants.

Giovanni Pernice has denied allegations of being ‘nasty’ to his former partner Amanda Abbington.

Graziano Di Prima, who was also accused of abusive behaviour by partner Zara McDermott has also denied allegations.

The dancer said that he ‘never meant’ to kick his partner Zara McDermott, insisting that his foot ‘brushed’ her after he intended to merely kick the floor. Both dancers have now left the show and an investigation into the accusations remains ongoing.

A source reportedly told the Daily Mail about the budget cuts: ‘Money had to be found to pay for chaperones and welfare producers, and we still don’t know how much all these allegations are going to cost the show. It is not going to be cheap. A decision was made to make cuts to the cast.’

Television Dr Punam Krishan and former Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri were among the upcoming contestants that many felt weren’t recognisable enough faces to be contestants on the show.

Towie’s Pete Wicks, comedian Chris McCausland, Go Compare singer Wynne Evans, and JLS singer JB Gill are also among those competing.

They’ll be joined by DIY SOS star Nick Knowles, former footballer Paul Merson, 80s music icon Toyah Willcox, and former England hockey player Sam Quek MBE.

The source also told The Mail that the highest paid contestants this year are Nick Knowles and Paul Merson.

The source continued: ‘The line-up is one of our cheapest ever. We know audiences are disappointed, especially given the quality of our celebrities in the last five years.’

In contrast, a BBC spokesperson previously told Metro.co.uk: ‘We are really excited about this year’s line up and look forward to the series starting.

‘There are many factors that influence the casting process to ensure we have a good mix of celebrities from a broad range of backgrounds.

‘There is no hard and fast rule regarding the gender split on the show and it’s never been about ticking boxes.’

This backlash also follows the news of a big change on the upcoming season to make the series ‘the most accessible yet’.

In an announcement made by the broadcaster at Edinburgh TV Festival, Strictly is set to be live-signed for the very first time, with the service available on BBC iPlayer and on the red button, allowing viewers to watch the programme with the inclusion of a British sign language (BSL) interpreter.

Metro has reached out to the BBC for comment.

Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC later this year.

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