https://news.ketelle.co.uk/storylines/strictly-come-dancing-season-23-format-controversy BBC's Strictly Come Dancing 23rd season with coverage of judge decisions, casting announcements, ratings concerns, and show format developments. en-gb https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-2026-christmas-special-confirmed-with-format-cha https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-2026-christmas-special-confirmed-with-format-cha Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:48:25 +0000 Entertainment The BBC has confirmed this year's Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special will have six couples, all celebrities from past series. The Daily Express, citing a Sun insider, names possible contestants and links the change to backlash over a triple dance-off. (3 outlets: 0 left · 2 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-lawrence-robb-and-jowita-przystal-out-in-first-triple-dance-o https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-lawrence-robb-and-jowita-przystal-out-in-first-triple-dance-o Sun, 01 Nov 2026 20:30:55 +0000 Entertainment Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb and professional partner Jowita Przystał were eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing on 1 November after the show's first-ever three-couple dance-off. Ten couples remain. (6 outlets: 1 left · 3 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-elimination-reportedly-leaked-amid-dance-off-twi https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-elimination-reportedly-leaked-amid-dance-off-twi Mon, 02 Nov 2026 10:10:56 +0000 Entertainment Strictly Come Dancing held its first three-couple dance-off, with judges choosing who to eliminate rather than save, and Lawrence Robb left. Viewers criticised the format on social media, and the Daily Express reported the result had been spoiled online beforehand. (2 outlets: 1 left · 0 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/bbc-bosses-to-hold-crisis-talks-over-strictly-come-dancing-ratings https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/bbc-bosses-to-hold-crisis-talks-over-strictly-come-dancing-ratings Wed, 04 Nov 2026 10:11:08 +0000 Entertainment The Mail on Sunday reported that BBC bosses will hold a crisis meeting on Strictly Come Dancing's falling ratings and criticism of its new presenters. The Evening Standard repeated the report and added bookmaker odds on Josh Widdicombe leaving. (3 outlets: 1 left · 1 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-viewers-criticise-shirley-ballas-s-scores-for-women-in-hallow https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-viewers-criticise-shirley-ballas-s-scores-for-women-in-hallow Sat, 31 Oct 2026 20:30:32 +0000 Entertainment During the Halloween episode of Strictly Come Dancing on 31 October, viewers on social media criticised the judges' marking. The Daily Express focuses on Shirley Ballas and the female contestants, while Radio Times focuses on Tabby Stoecker and Mark Karmalita's score. (3 outlets: 0 left · 2 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-s-jaime-winstone-says-dad-ray-cries-at-her-performances https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-s-jaime-winstone-says-dad-ray-cries-at-her-performances Sat, 31 Oct 2026 20:51:53 +0000 Entertainment In interviews published on 31 October, Strictly Come Dancing contestant Jaime Winstone said her father, actor Ray Winstone, has been moved to tears and is proud of her. She also spoke about dance-offs, her clubbing past and her famous friends' reactions. (3 outlets: 0 left · 1 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/shirley-ballas-says-she-is-staying-on-strictly-while-judging-dancing-w https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/shirley-ballas-says-she-is-staying-on-strictly-while-judging-dancing-w Wed, 28 Oct 2026 17:08:24 +0000 Entertainment Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas told Prima magazine she is "100% not leaving Strictly" while taking a one-off Halloween guest-judge slot on the US show Dancing With the Stars, where Ballas's son Mark is a professional. (6 outlets: 1 left · 2 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/report-claims-shirley-ballas-and-motsi-mabuse-s-strictly-future-decide https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/report-claims-shirley-ballas-and-motsi-mabuse-s-strictly-future-decide Wed, 28 Oct 2026 07:20:33 +0000 Entertainment Reports about whether Strictly Come Dancing judges Shirley Ballas and Motsi Mabuse will return next year conflict: the Daily Express cites an insider saying they have no plans to leave, and Ballas told Prima she is staying. (2 outlets: 0 left · 1 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/bbc-responds-to-claims-strictly-presenting-line-up-will-change-after-o https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/bbc-responds-to-claims-strictly-presenting-line-up-will-change-after-o Wed, 28 Oct 2026 12:23:24 +0000 Entertainment 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". (3 outlets: 1 left · 0 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/delta-goodrem-pulls-out-of-strictly-live-show-with-rib-injury https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/delta-goodrem-pulls-out-of-strictly-live-show-with-rib-injury Tue, 13 Oct 2026 08:41:01 +0100 Entertainment Delta Goodrem will miss this weekend's Strictly Come Dancing (Icons Week) on doctors' advice after a rib injury. She and partner Kai Widdrington get a bye to next week. (7 outlets: 2 left · 2 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/cach-mercer-reveals-strictly-week-four-progress-before-results-show-ai https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/cach-mercer-reveals-strictly-week-four-progress-before-results-show-ai Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:42:07 +0100 Entertainment Love Island winner Cach Mercer posted a celebration of surviving the Strictly Come Dancing results before the pre-recorded show was broadcast, then deleted it after followers pointed out the mistake. (2 outlets: 1 left · 0 centre · 1 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/melanie-walters-and-aljaz-skorjanec-eliminated-from-strictly-come-danc https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/melanie-walters-and-aljaz-skorjanec-eliminated-from-strictly-come-danc Mon, 12 Oct 2026 07:02:59 +0100 Entertainment Gavin and Stacey actor Melanie Walters and partner Aljaz Skorjanec became the second couple eliminated from Strictly Come Dancing 2026, losing a dance-off to Shaun Wright-Phillips and Alexis Warr. (7 outlets: 1 left · 4 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-edits-bethany-antonia-s-protect-the-dolls-t-shirt-from-broadc https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-edits-bethany-antonia-s-protect-the-dolls-t-shirt-from-broadc Mon, 12 Oct 2026 16:12:59 +0100 Entertainment Viewers noticed that a "Protect the Dolls" T-shirt worn by Strictly contestant Bethany Antonia in rehearsal footage on 10 October appeared plain white in the broadcast. The BBC says it routinely reduces overt branding and slogans on entertainment shows. (10 outlets: 3 left · 4 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-week-three-live-show-draws-viewer-reaction https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-week-three-live-show-draws-viewer-reaction Fri, 16 Oct 2026 19:09:34 +0100 Entertainment During the third live Strictly Come Dancing show on 10 October, viewers on X commented on the Couple's Choice dance, the new presenting line-up and judge Motsi Mabuse. Two right-leaning UK outlets, the Daily Express and Daily Mail, covered it. (7 outlets: 1 left · 3 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-first-elimination-reportedly-leaked https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-first-elimination-reportedly-leaked Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:33:31 +0100 Entertainment Chris Appleton and Amy Dowden were the first couple eliminated from Strictly 2026 on 4 October, after an Express report that the result had leaked. Coverage then turned to ex-professional Brendan Cole's criticism of Dowden and her widely praised social media reply. (7 outlets: 2 left · 3 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-viewers-react-to-week-two-movie-week-show-and-presenting-trio https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-viewers-react-to-week-two-movie-week-show-and-presenting-trio Fri, 09 Oct 2026 16:53:23 +0100 Entertainment After the week-two Movie Week show on 3 October, outlets reported viewer complaints on the unchanged presenting trio and judges' interplay. On 4 October, a results show that paired Emma Willis with Johannes Radebe drew praise from most viewers quoted, but not in the Express. (6 outlets: 1 left · 3 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-presenting-line-up-criticised-as-new-series-begi https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-presenting-line-up-criticised-as-new-series-begi Sat, 10 Oct 2026 11:20:56 +0100 Entertainment The 2026 series of Strictly Come Dancing, with Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe replacing Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, has had a mixed reception and lower ratings than last year. Commentators quoted by the Daily Express and Daily Mail blame the hosts, the long running time and a lack of famous contestants. (4 outlets: 1 left · 1 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/janette-manrara-says-missing-strictly-presenter-job-left-her-devastate https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/janette-manrara-says-missing-strictly-presenter-job-left-her-devastate Wed, 30 Sep 2026 18:02:25 +0100 Entertainment Janette Manrara told a podcast she was devastated after losing the Strictly Come Dancing presenting job to Emma Willis, Josh Widdicombe and Johannes Radebe. Outlets differ on whether she sobbed for a week or for weeks. (3 outlets: 0 left · 1 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/bbc-presenter-ed-james-defends-josh-widdicombe-over-strictly-backlash https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/bbc-presenter-ed-james-defends-josh-widdicombe-over-strictly-backlash Sat, 03 Oct 2026 11:41:34 +0100 Entertainment After Josh Widdicombe's first live show as a Strictly Come Dancing co-host, fans criticised him online. BBC local presenter Ed James urged critics to be kinder, while a GB News columnist said the blame lies with BBC bosses. (4 outlets: 1 left · 1 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-announces-movie-week-dances-and-songs https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/strictly-come-dancing-announces-movie-week-dances-and-songs Sat, 03 Oct 2026 18:00:39 +0100 Entertainment Strictly Come Dancing has announced some of its Movie Week dances and songs, with the themed week coming earlier than usual in 2026. Johannes Radebe says the move lets every contestant take part in a themed week before elimination. (4 outlets: 2 left · 2 centre · 0 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/emma-willis-responds-to-criticism-of-strictly-co-hosts-after-first-liv https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/emma-willis-responds-to-criticism-of-strictly-co-hosts-after-first-liv Sat, 03 Oct 2026 10:52:54 +0100 Entertainment After Strictly's first live show, Emma Willis shared an Instagram quote about being judged, which outlets read as a reply to criticism of the new three-host format. Coverage differs on whether the focus is the format, the co-hosts or ratings. (5 outlets: 1 left · 1 centre · 3 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/richard-osman-suggests-fixes-for-new-look-strictly-come-dancing https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/richard-osman-suggests-fixes-for-new-look-strictly-come-dancing Wed, 30 Sep 2026 21:12:14 +0100 Entertainment After the first live show of the new series, Richard Osman said on The Rest is Entertainment podcast that Strictly's three-presenter roles need changing, and set out how he would rearrange them. The show's ratings fell from last year. (4 outlets: 1 left · 1 centre · 2 right) https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/josh-widdicombe-quits-social-media-after-strictly-hosting-backlash https://news.ketelle.co.uk/stories/josh-widdicombe-quits-social-media-after-strictly-hosting-backlash Wed, 30 Sep 2026 10:04:31 +0100 Entertainment Strictly Come Dancing's new co-host Josh Widdicombe said on a podcast that they are limiting their social media use, days after online criticism of their live debut. The two outlets covering it differ in how much they say the criticism was aimed at Widdicombe. (3 outlets: 0 left · 0 centre · 3 right)