Strictly Come Dancing, a long-standing BBC dance competition, has successfully navigated various controversies over its more than 20-year history. Despite facing scandals involving unfaithful contestants and misconduct allegations against professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, the show has maintained its uplifting and joyous appeal. Both Pernice and Di Prima have denied any wrongdoing.
However, as viewership numbers gradually decline and hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman prepare to depart after the current series, the show is poised for a refresh to compete with the rising popularity of shows like Celebrity Traitors. With over 12 million viewers tuning in to watch Alan Carr’s entertaining performance, attributing poor ratings solely to terrestrial TV decline becomes challenging.
As Strictly Come Dancing transitions into a new era, it is already making significant adjustments to attract younger audiences. The inclusion of social media influencers like TikToker George Clarke in this year’s lineup has garnered substantial attention, with the show’s TikTok page gaining millions of views featuring Clarke.
In an exciting development, this weekend will see a unique collaboration between Britain’s Got Talent winners Diversity and Strictly’s professional dancers. Furthermore, the show plans to bring back past contestants such as Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness, and Layton Williams for special performances during Blackpool week.
While Strictly explores new formats and collaborations, there is potential for further innovation by drawing inspiration from the success of its American counterpart, Dancing with the Stars. By embracing themed episodes and engaging with platforms like TikTok, the US series has maintained strong viewership, particularly among the Gen Z audience.
With the show’s future hosts under consideration, there is an opportunity for Strictly’s producers to learn from Dancing with the Stars’ appeal to younger viewers. While traditional choices like Zoe Ball or Jenette Manrara are options, selecting a social media influencer like George Clarke could attract a fresh and engaged audience.
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