BBC Strictly fans blast Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman after awkward dodge of bullying probe during launch
BBC Strictly: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly opened the 20th anniversary special
BBC
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman and the Strictly Come Dancing cast have come under fire from several fans just moments into the new series.
The BBC presenting duo welcomed viewers back to the popular dance contest following a tumultuous few months for the show that has seen it headlines for all the wrong reasons.
Dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have both lost their spots on the show following complaints over their behaviour from Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott, respectively.
And the complaints sparked an internal investigation at the Beeb into the conduct of its dancers in the rehearsal room, prompting several other former contestants to go public with their own experiences.
While Di Prima admitted to "kicking" McDermott in rehearsals, he denied he was abusive and Pernice has similarly refuted Abbington's claims as the investigation continues.
Despite the noise that has surrounded the series and the departure of two of its biggest male dancers, Daly and Winkleman opted to avoid mentioning any reference to the saga.
BBC Strictly: Claudia Winkleman and Tess Daly avoided mention of the investigation
BBC
Instead, kicking off Saturday's launch show, Daly said to the crowd: "Welcome to the launch of Strictly Come Dancing 2024!
"This series we celebrate 20 years on your TV screens and if that opening is anything to go by, we are in for quite a ride."
Winkleman then weighed in: "Absolutely. Huge thanks to our professional dancers. Plus he's been ignoring my calls for the last nine months, but tonight he has to hang out with me. It's Dave Arch, his amazing band and fantastic live singers."
After applause erupted in the audience, the hosting duo soon welcomed judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Anton Du Beke and Motsi Mabuse back before cutting to pre-recorded messages from this year's celebrity contestants.
With no mention of the ongoing investigation or the scandal that has engulfed the show, some fans felt short-changed.
Social media was flooded with speculation just moments before the show, including from one X user who penned: "Wonder if they’ll address it or just pretend everything is totally fine! #Strictly."
And once Daly and Winkleman avoided the subject, a second sarcastically typed: "WE'RE ALL ONE HAPPY CAMP DANCING PARTY THERE IS NOTHING ELSE TO SEE HERE #Strictly."
"No apologies yet #Strictly," a third fumed, before a fourth criticised: "It’s a good thing Tess didn’t want to be an actress... #Strictly #StrictlyComeDancing #Strictly2024."
The atmosphere even led one fan to comment: "I’m really not sure about watching strictly this year, It all seems a bit false and fake. #Strictly."
However, the opening dance number and return of the show did spark excitement among several others - even without mention of the misconduct saga.
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PA"What a great opening to 2024 series #Strictly," one fan said on x before a second similarly praised: "A 90’s opening with Steps, Whigfield and Gina G??? Strictly is back! #Strictly."
And a third concurred: "THAT OPENING DANCE WOW WE’RE SO BACK #Strictly." (sic)