AceShowbiz - Strictly Come Dancing has been a staple of the BBC’s entertainment lineup since its debut in 2004, captivating audiences for over two decades. However, despite its success, the show has repeatedly been embroiled in controversies ranging from bullying allegations to scandals involving its dancers and contestants.

Recently, the beloved dance competition has once again found itself in the eye of a storm, this time over accusations of ageism following the unexpected removal of pro dancer Nadiya Bychkova. At 36, Nadiya had been a fixture on the show for nearly eight years, partnering with a range of celebrities including TV presenter Dan Walker, singer Matt Goss, and actor Davood Ghadami.

Insiders suggest that the decision to axe Nadiya is part of a larger overhaul of the professional dancers ahead of the upcoming series, a move that comes after a series of scandals have shaken the show. A friend of the dancer reportedly expressed to The Sun that the choice "smacks of ageism," highlighting Nadiya’s popularity and dedication to the programme. They added that she is "devastated" by the news, as the show has been the central focus of her career.

While the BBC has not issued a formal comment on the allegations, this is far from the first time Strictly Come Dancing has faced claims of discrimination based on age. The controversy echoes back to 2009 when longtime judge Dame Arlene Phillips was controversially replaced at the age of 66 by much younger former pop star Alesha Dixon, then aged 30.

The decision to remove Dame Arlene sparked widespread public outrage and even caught the attention of government officials. Harriet Harman, who was the Minister for Women and Equality at the time, publicly criticized the BBC’s move, calling for Dame Arlene to be reinstated. Speaking in the House of Commons, Harman voiced concerns about potential age discrimination, urging the BBC to reconsider.

More than a decade later, Dame Arlene, now 82, has again raised concerns about how older women are perceived on the show. Speaking at the Women of the Year Awards in 2024, she expressed discomfort with the treatment and representation of older female contestants, emphasizing that many take their participation seriously but also feel emotionally vulnerable due to the pressures associated with the show.

The 2009 shakeup did not stop at Dame Arlene. Just six weeks after her exit, popular dancer Karen Hardy was also removed from the lineup at the age of 39 to make way for younger professionals in their twenties. At the time, Karen was the oldest female dancer on Strictly and was considered a strong candidate to succeed Dame Arlene on the judging panel.

Alongside Karen Hardy, reigning champion Camilla Dallerup, then 35, was also dropped. Their replacements included younger dancers such as Lithuanian Katya Virshilas and Australian Natalie Lowe, aged 25 and 28 respectively.

In response to the criticism at that time, a spokesperson for Strictly Come Dancing insisted that age was not a factor in casting decisions. They emphasized the show’s commitment to keeping the programme "fresh and relevant" and pointed out that age diversity exists across the BBC, citing long-serving presenters like Bruce Forsyth and Len Goodman as examples.

Age-related controversies have also touched the judging panel. In 2022, head judge Shirley Ballas, aged 65, faced accusations from fans of allegedly favoring younger male contestants. The online trolling became so severe that Shirley revealed she contemplated quitting the show. She told The Mirror that the abuse "snowballed out of control," affecting her deeply despite her usually stoic nature. When questioned about her future on Strictly, she remained non-committal, stating she takes "one step at a time."

Beyond the ageism disputes, Strictly Come Dancing has weathered numerous other scandals over the years. Notably, there have been allegations of abuse and bullying by dancers, as well as high-profile incidents involving inappropriate behaviour. For example, actress Amanda Abbington publicly accused her dance partner Giovanni Pernice of being "abusive" during rehearsals, allegations he has denied.

Similarly, professional dancer Graziano di Prima was dismissed by the BBC following the emergence of a video showing him kicking his dance partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott, during a rehearsal. The show’s reputation has also been impacted by controversies involving other media personalities connected to the programme, such as Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, who lost his BBC Wales breakfast show job due to inappropriate language used during his stint on Strictly.

Other high-profile incidents include the removal of Jamie Borthwick from the soap opera EastEnders after he made a vile slur during the competition, highlighting the broader repercussions of behaviour linked to the show.

In more recent troubling developments, Strictly has been hit by serious legal issues involving former participants. In November, a second star associated with the show was arrested on suspicion of rape, following a previous arrest for a similar offence and non-consensual intimate image abuse. Hertfordshire Police confirmed the ongoing investigations, noting that the victim was not a contestant or dancer but that the accused and the victim met through the show.

Adding to the turmoil, reports emerged of secret affairs between celebrity contestants and professional dancers, feeding into the longstanding narrative of a so-called "Strictly curse" that allegedly damages relationships. One recent revelation involved a couple who had a clandestine affair while the celebrity’s relationship was still intact. The Daily Mail disclosed that this liaison was hidden from other cast members and producers, despite visible chemistry during filming that many attributed to intense rehearsal bonding.

Sources close to the production reflected that while the affair was concealed, signs of its existence were evident to insiders throughout the series. The revelation has further increased pressure on the show’s producers, already managing multiple controversies simultaneously.

These ongoing issues come amid significant changes in the show’s hosting lineup as well. Last year, longtime presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkelman stepped down after 11 years, marking another transition period for the programme.

Throughout its run, Strictly Come Dancing has remained a cultural phenomenon on the BBC, but the accumulation of scandals, allegations of ageism, and recent high-profile legal troubles pose serious challenges for the producers as they prepare for forthcoming series. The show’s ability to navigate these controversies while maintaining its popularity will be closely watched by fans and critics alike.