BBC deny claims Strictly Come Dancing cons viewers by picking dancing partners in advance
Strictly season starts again – but BBC deny claims of a fix (Picture: PA) Strictly Come Dancing vie..
Strictly Come Dancing viewers are being hoodwinked by the BBC who allegedly allow their Strictly Come Dancing hopefuls to pick their own professional dancers.
Sources close to the show have claimed that celebrities — especially the big ones — make their choices clear and bosses make it happen while it was also alleged that it is only by allowing the celebrities to cherry pick their dancers that the show manages to get big names.
The BBC, however, has denied the claims.
A spokesperson for the BBC told Metro.co.uk: This is categorically untrue.
Even if preferences are voiced, these are not taken into consideration and neither celebs nor pro dancers find out their partner before the launch show is recorded.
In the launch show which aired on Saturday (7 September), the annual Strictly pairing ritual took place with the customary glitz and glam – along with a performance from Kylie Minogue.
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However The Sun On Sunday reported that the launch show is complete smoke and mirrors — the 12million viewers are being hoodwinked to some extent.
Celebrities try to choose their dancers months before, often based on who they think is the best and who will take them the furthest in the series, the insider added, claiming that producers work with agents and the celebrities.
Reportedly in 2013 Aljaz Skorjanec and Pasha Kovalev, who were matched with Abbey Clancy and Rachel Riley, both knew who they would be dancing with ahead of the launch, while 2018 winner Stacey Dooley allegedly requested Kevin Clifton.
Metro.co.uk has contacted Rachel, Abbey, and Stacey for comment.
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The pair won the Glitterball trophy on last years series, and have since struck up a romance together following their stint on the show.