The glittering world of Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC’s flagship dance competition and a beloved staple of British television, is facing its most serious crisis yet. Just weeks before the launch of its highly anticipated new season, the show finds itself mired in controversy following allegations of cocaine use by two of its stars. The claims, which have sparked both a police investigation and an internal BBC probe, threaten to overshadow the sequins and samba that have long defined the program.
According to BBC News, the Metropolitan Police received an allegation about drug-related offenses on Tuesday, August 12, 2025. A spokesperson for the force confirmed, “Police are assessing the information and further enquiries are taking place to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence being committed.” The investigation follows a series of media reports and a legal submission made in March by the law firm Russells on behalf of former contestant Wynne Evans. The submission alleged that two unnamed stars from last year’s series had used cocaine, and that drug use had been an “open secret” among cast and crew.
The BBC, which airs Strictly Come Dancing, was reportedly alerted to the allegations earlier this month and promptly launched its own internal and external investigations. The broadcaster enlisted top legal firm Pinsent Masons to assist with the probe, inviting former participants, professional dancers, and crew members to speak with solicitors about any concerns or experiences they might have had. A BBC spokesperson stated, “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us. We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns. It would not be appropriate for us to comment further.”
While the identities of the two stars implicated in the cocaine allegations have not been disclosed, the scandal has cast a shadow over the show’s reputation. Multiple outlets, including The Sun and Metro, have reported that the alleged drug use was widely discussed among the cast, and that several people had brought their concerns to the attention of the BBC. One whistleblower who worked behind the scenes until 2023 told Metro that they had witnessed “partying at Elstree studio after live filming” and claimed to have been offered drugs by a star on the show.
This is not the first time Strictly Come Dancing has found itself at the center of controversy. Over the past fourteen months, the program has grappled with a series of scandals involving both its celebrity contestants and professional dancers. In 2024, professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima were removed from the show after facing serious accusations of abusive and threatening behavior towards their dance partners. The BBC subsequently conducted a review into allegations of bullying and harassment, ultimately introducing a host of new welfare measures. These included the presence of chaperones during all training room rehearsals and additional training for dancers, production staff, and crew members.
Wynne Evans, the opera singer and former Strictly contestant at the heart of the current legal submission, has also been embroiled in his own controversy. Earlier this year, Evans was dropped from the Strictly Come Dancing Live Tour and his BBC Radio Wales show after using “inappropriate language” during the tour’s launch. He later claimed that his comment had been taken out of context and accused the BBC of issuing an apology on his behalf without his approval—a claim the broadcaster refuted, insisting the statement was “fully approved by Wynne.”
Strictly’s woes have not been limited to Evans. In June 2025, EastEnders actor Jamie Borthwick was suspended by the BBC after a video emerged showing him using a disabled slur on the set of the dance program. Borthwick issued a public apology, expressing that he was “deeply embarrassed” by his actions. The BBC’s disciplinary actions in these cases have been swift, but the steady drumbeat of scandals has raised questions about the show’s internal culture and oversight.
As the new season approaches, the BBC has sought to reassure viewers that it is taking the latest allegations seriously. The corporation has emphasized its commitment to providing a safe and respectful environment for all participants, noting that external law firms are often brought in to ensure impartiality in sensitive investigations. “We have clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint raised with us,” a spokesperson reiterated to The Mirror. “We would always encourage people to speak to us if they have concerns.”
Yet, the cumulative effect of these controversies has led some observers to question whether Strictly Come Dancing is facing an “identity crisis.” PR expert and celebrity manager Mayah Riaz told The Mirror, “Strictly’s always had its fair share of scandals, but the risk now is that people are simply getting tired of them. When the headlines are more about controversy than the dancing, it starts to take away from what the show is really about.” Riaz warned that if the BBC wants to steady the ship, it must be upfront about the issues and focus on restoring the show’s core values. “Viewers are smart and they’ll see through any spin. The only way forward is to admit where things have gone wrong, explain what’s being done to fix it, and then push the focus firmly back to the competition itself.”
Despite the turmoil, rehearsals for the new series are in full swing, with the full line-up of fifteen celebrities already announced. The show is set to return to BBC One and iPlayer next month, though the atmosphere is palpably tense. Whether Strictly can weather this storm and recapture the public’s affection remains to be seen. As the BBC and the Metropolitan Police continue their investigations, viewers and industry insiders alike are left wondering: will the glitter and glamour of the ballroom be enough to outshine the growing cloud of scandal?
For now, the fate of Strictly Come Dancing hangs in the balance, with its future likely to be shaped as much by what happens behind the scenes as by the performances on the dance floor.
