BBC Strictly controversy with fans 'fuming' as popular pro axed from main show line-up

Strictly fans fume and vow to 'stop watching' as beloved pro is axed from main show line-up
-Credit: (Image: PA)


Strictly Come Dancing enthusiasts have expressed their dismay after discovering a fan-favourite professional dancer has been left out of the competition in the current season.

The dazzling BBC One spectacle made its comeback on screens on Saturday (September 14), launching its milestone 20th series. Presenters Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman returned to usher in a new cohort of 15 celebrities onto the dance floor for the pre-recorded opening show.

Celebrities including JB Gill, Tasha Ghouri, and Nick Knowles are all set to strut their stuff in hopes of securing a place in the final and clinching the coveted Glitterball trophy. Judges Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse, and Anton Du Beke are also back to offer their first impressions on the celebrity and professional pairings.

Yet, not all professional dancers were paired with a celebrity this year, leaving some, such as Carlos Gu, without a partner. Fans have made it clear they are less than pleased with this development.

Strictly 2024 cast
Strictly is back on screens -Credit:PA

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Voicing their displeasure on social media, one viewer vented on X: "Kai, Lauren and Carlos have all proven themselves to be great pros and most importantly, get on well with their celebrities. WHY are they the ones chosen to be benched? Making the series look even worse.", reports the Mirror.

Another chimed in: "They dropped Carlos for goodness sake. Outrageous! I won't be watching." A third lamented: "It's an absolute liberty that Carlos and Kai haven't got a partner this year. Sorry I'm fuming."

The celebrity and dancer pairings were unveiled during Saturday's (September 14) launch show. The full pairings include: Chris McCausland with Dianne Buswell, Wynne Evans with Katya Jones, Shayne Ward with Nancy Xu and Jamie Borthwick with Michelle Tsiakkas.

In addition to these, Pete Wicks with Jowita Przysta and Montell Douglas with Johannes Radebe will also be gracing the dance floor this year.

The remaining line-up features Sam Quek MBE with Nikita Kuzmin, JB Gill with Amy Dowden MBE, Toyah Willcox with Neil Jones, Sarah Hadland with Vito Coppola, Tasha Ghouri with Aljaz Skorjanec, Dr Punam Krishan with Gorka Marquez, Paul Merson with Karen Hauer, Tom Dean MBE with Nadiya Bychkova and Nick Knowles with Luba Mushtuk.

Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday, September 21 on BBC One