BBC calls reports of Strictly host changes 'pure and utter speculation'
Anonymous sources told the Daily Mail the BBC has decided to change Strictly Come Dancing's three-person presenting line-up next year. The BBC called the claim "pure and utter speculation".
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2The BBC has dismissed reports that it has already decided to change the presenting line-up of Strictly Come Dancing after one series, calling them "pure and utter speculation". Daily MirrorL “the BBC told the Mirror that the anonymous source comments were "pure and utter speculation"” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ Daily MailR “a BBC spokesman last night insisted any talk of changes for next year was 'pure and utter speculation'.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Left · 1The trio of Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe was announced as the show's hosts in the summer, after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left. Daily MirrorL “Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe were announced as the new hosts of the show this summer after Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman left last year.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ Mixed · 2According to the Daily Mail, a source close to the show said bosses are aware the new format "doesn't work", that many traditional viewers have stopped watching and that the programme has become "a laughing stock". The source also said senior BBC figures have started canvassing industry opinion on what to do next year. Daily MirrorL “"It doesn't work. Not only have many of the traditional viewers stopped watching, the show has become the butt of jokes, a laughing stock.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ Daily MailR “Senior BBC bosses have started canvassing opinions from industry figures about what to do next year.” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Right · 1The Mail also reported that bosses are considering whether the wrong people were hired and whether having three anchors was a mistake. Its source named Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark as presenters who could have been chosen. Daily MailR “are considering whether the wrong people were hired – and whether having three anchors was a mistake.”“There were so many brilliant presenters to choose from - Zoe Ball and Rylan Clark, for example - but they went for this lot.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2Both papers say Willis, 50, is expected to stay, while Widdicombe's future is thought to be in doubt. A show insider is quoted as saying: "It isn't working." Daily MirrorL “It's thought that mum-of-three, Emma, 50, will stay on Strictly, but Josh's future could be in doubt.” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ Daily MailR “It's thought that Emma, also the presenter of ITV rival The Voice, will stay while the future of Widdicombe could be in doubt.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2Viewers have criticised the hosts' experience and chemistry. The Mail says Radebe was criticised for mixing up the timings of when to speak and Widdicombe for fluffing his lines. Daily MailR “Radebe was lambasted by viewers for mixing up timings of when he should be speaking, while Widdicombe fluffed his lines.” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Daily MirrorL “others have expressed concerns about the chemistry between the Voice star and comedian, Josh” Read at Daily Mirror ↗
Mixed · 2Both papers also report a suggestion that Radebe could become a judge. The Mail says the four judges' contracts end with this series. Daily MailR “with the judges – Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton du Beke and Motsi Mabuse – coming to the end of their contracts at the end of this series” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Daily MirrorL “the South African star may become one of the Strictly judges next year” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ Right · 1On Tuesday, Willis posted behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram, including one of her eating toast, with her co-hosts. The Mail ran the images alongside the reports. Daily MailR “The host, 50, took to Instagram on Tuesday to share highlights from last weekend's shows” Read at Daily Mail ↗ Mixed · 2The claims rest on anonymous sources, and neither paper reports any official confirmation of a change. Daily MirrorL “a source said to be close to Strictly allegedly told the Daily Mail” Read at Daily Mirror ↗ Daily MailR “Sources connected with the show say bosses are 'aware'” Read at Daily Mail ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- The Mirror presents an exclusive BBC response to the Daily Mail's claims. It leads with the denial but repeats the allegations and the criticism of the hosts.
- Emphasis
- The BBC's rebuttal, viewer criticism of Widdicombe and Radebe, and the possibility that Radebe becomes a judge.
- Leaves out or plays down
- It doesn't give the Mail's detail on the judges' contracts or the claim that three anchors may have been a mistake.
- Charged language
- “laughing stock”“gasps in our office”
- For example
-
“There were gasps in our office when Emma Willis, Johannes Radebe and Josh Widdicombe were announced as the new hosts” — Daily Mirror
“the BBC told the Mirror that the anonymous source comments were "pure and utter speculation"” — Daily Mirror
Centre0 outlets
No centre outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
Right1 outlet
- Framing
- The Mail treats the line-up change as a developing story, with the hosts' backstage Instagram photos as the hook. It gives the anonymous sources' criticism at length and puts the BBC denial near the end.
- Emphasis
- Quotes from the BBC source, including the unflattering description of Widdicombe's on-screen manner, and the claim that the BBC is chasing younger viewers at the expense of older ones.
- Leaves out or plays down
- The BBC's denial is brief and comes after the unnamed sources' allegations. The article does not weigh the sources' claims against it.
- Charged language
- “laughing stock”“scoffs toast”“lambasted”
- For example
-
“Josh looks like he's hanging around her like an uncool boy at school and she doesn't want him near her.” — Daily Mail
“the BBC accused of 'chasing younger viewers at the expense of their older ones'” — Daily Mail
What every side reports
- The BBC called claims of a host change "pure and utter speculation".
- The claims come from anonymous sources, first reported by the Daily Mail.
- Emma Willis is expected to stay; Josh Widdicombe's future is thought to be in doubt.
- Johannes Radebe is reported as a possible future judge.
Where accounts differ
-
Whether the BBC has decided to change the presenting line-up
- Left
- The BBC told the Mirror the claims were "pure and utter speculation".
- Right
- Anonymous sources say bosses have concluded the trio must change, while a BBC spokesman calls this speculation.
BBC organisation
A spokesman called any talk of changes for next year "pure and utter speculation". Anonymous sources in the coverage say senior figures are canvassing opinions on next year's line-up.
“a BBC spokesman last night insisted any talk of changes for next year was 'pure and utter speculation'.” — Daily Mail
Emma Willis person
Willis has not commented on the reports. She posted behind-the-scenes photos on Instagram captioned 'busy old BTS this week.' Both papers say she is expected to stay.
“She captioned the post: 'busy old BTS this week.'” — Daily Mail
Strictly Come Dancing other
The show is described as under pressure over its new presenting trio and its relatively unknown contestants, which one critic says reflects the BBC chasing younger viewers.
“The current Strictly series has also been criticised for a line-up of contestants, relatively unknown to a traditional audience” — Daily Mail
Left1 article
-
BBC responds to claims Strictly bosses plotting to change host line-up next year
Mixed Reports the BBC's denial as an exclusive while repeating the Mail's allegations and the criticism of the new hosts.
Centre0 articles
No coverage yet.
Right1 article
-
Critical Uses a light Instagram story to carry detailed anonymous criticism of the presenting trio, with the BBC denial placed after it.
- 25 Oct 09:39 First Daily MirrorL BBC responds to claims Strictly bosses plotting to change host line-up next year
- 28 Oct 12:11 +74h 32m Daily MailR Strictly's Emma Willis scoffs toast in backstage photos amid reports show's 'hosting line-up will be changed after becoming a laughing stock'
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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