As the glitterball trophy glimmers in the distance and the countdown to the 2025 season of Strictly Come Dancing begins, the BBC’s flagship dance show finds itself once again under an unwelcome spotlight. Over its two decades on air, Strictly has weathered its fair share of scandals—from romantic entanglements to public feuds—but the latest controversies threaten to overshadow even its most notorious past dramas.
Just weeks before the new series is set to launch on September 20, 2025, serious allegations have rocked the beloved program. On August 22, a man in his 30s linked to Strictly Come Dancing was arrested in east London on suspicion of rape and non-consensual intimate image abuse. According to the Metropolitan Police, the arrest was part of a joint investigation with Hertfordshire Constabulary, following a third-party allegation of sexual and drug-related offences. The BBC, for its part, has remained tight-lipped. A spokesperson stated, “It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation.”
While the individual arrested is not involved in this year’s series, the timing of the news has cast a shadow over the show’s return. And this is not the only legal storm brewing. Earlier in August, police confirmed they were investigating allegations that two current or former Strictly stars had abused cocaine. The Metropolitan Police received the complaint on August 12 and has said, “We are assessing the information and further inquiries are taking place to establish whether there is evidence of a criminal offence.” As of now, no arrests have been made in the drug probe.
At the heart of the drug allegations is former contestant Wynne Evans, who competed in the 2024 series. According to The Sun and Daily Mail, Evans made a legal submission to the BBC via his law firm in March 2025, alleging that illegal drug use had taken place among Strictly cast members. Evans, who was axed by the BBC in May after making an “inappropriate and unacceptable” comment about professional dancer Janette Manrara, is believed by some insiders to be pursuing a “one-man crusade” against the show. “Wynne is trying to ruin our wonderful, wonderful show,” one high-ranking BBC insider told Daily Mail. “He didn’t get his contract renewed so now he is trying to throw mud at Strictly; it feels like an act of revenge.”
The BBC, meanwhile, has maintained that it has “clear protocols and policies in place for dealing with any serious complaint” and encourages people to come forward with concerns. But the Corporation is said to be furious with Evans, who, according to sources, became disgruntled after his contract was not renewed following his controversial remarks. The tension reportedly escalated after a falling-out between Evans and another contestant late last year, with some suggesting that Evans’ personal grievances may have fueled his determination to bring the alleged drug use to light.
Beyond the current legal woes, Strictly has faced a string of damaging incidents over the past two years. In 2024, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked just weeks before the new series began after video footage emerged showing him kicking his celebrity dance partner, Zara McDermott, during rehearsals. Di Prima’s spokesperson, Mark Borkowski, told BBC News, “There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.” McDermott herself took to Instagram, admitting, “I have wrestled with the fear of opening up—I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming.”
2023 saw Strictly embroiled in a bullying row involving professional dancer Giovanni Pernice and his celebrity partner, actress Amanda Abbington. The BBC conducted a lengthy investigation after Abbington alleged harassment and verbal bullying. Pernice was cleared of the most serious allegations, including physical aggression, but the Corporation upheld complaints about harassment and verbal bullying. Pernice later said in a TV interview that he was a strict teacher but “not a bully,” and expressed relief that the most damaging accusations “were found not to be true.” Abbington, speaking to BBC Newsnight, described the ordeal as “one of the worst years of my life” but had no regrets about coming forward.
Controversy is hardly new to Strictly. In 2009, professional dancer Anton du Beke made headlines after using a racial slur towards his dance partner Laila Rouass during rehearsals. Du Beke issued an unreserved apology, saying, “There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react. I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused.” Rouass, whose mother is Indian and father Moroccan, accepted his public apology and later defended him, stating she did not believe him to be racist.
The same year, the show sparked an ageism debate when 66-year-old judge Arlene Phillips was dropped and replaced by 30-year-old Alesha Dixon. Phillips told The Guardian in 2025 that her biggest disappointment was “being let go from Strictly.” The BBC, for its part, insisted the decision was part of an “overall refresh” and denied ageism played a role.
Even the voting system and contestant departures have generated headlines. In 2008, ex-political journalist John Sergeant quit the show despite his popularity with viewers, citing the “real danger” he might win as his reason for stepping down. “Even for me that would be a joke too far,” Sergeant said in a statement, thanking his dance partner and the public for their support.
Perhaps the most enduring controversy is the so-called “Strictly Curse”—the pattern of relationships and marriages ending after one partner appears on the show. The first winners, Natasha Kaplinsky and Brendan Cole, always denied romance rumors, but Cole’s engagement to fellow dancer Camilla Dallerup ended nonetheless. In 2015, Ben Cohen left his wife and mother of his twin daughters for his Strictly partner Kristina Rihanoff. Three years later, pro dancer Katya Jones was photographed kissing her celebrity partner Seann Walsh, leading to the breakup of both their relationships. Yet not all outcomes are tragic—dancer Dianne Buswell and her celebrity partner Joe Sugg found lasting romance after competing together.
As the BBC scrambles to protect its flagship program’s reputation, insiders insist that “much care has been taken to ensure that Strictly’s line up for this year will be free of scandal.” Still, with so many recent controversies, the question lingers: can the dance floor ever truly escape its shadowy past? For now, fans will be watching closely as the curtain rises once more, hoping that the only drama this season will be on the dance floor itself.
