BBC Strictly winner issues damning verdict on ‘cancel culture’ rows amid scandal-hit year: ‘Let the show live!’

Strictly Come Dancing is about to wrap up its milestone 20th series, which seems to have attracted its usual eager fanfare despite a year of uncertainty surrounding the BBC competition.

As a new couple are about to be crowned the series winners, 2016 champion Ore Oduba has shared his thoughts on the controversies that have shrouded the show’s reputation throughout 2024.

Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima both left the series after being embroiled in respective misconduct sagas, while 2024 contestant Wynne Evans hit headlines for the now-infamous “hand incident” with dance partner Katya Jones.

Eight years ago, TV presenter Oduba, 39, lifted the coveted Glitterball Trophy with dancer Joanne Clifton, and speaking exclusively to GB News on behalf of SlotsCalendar, he reflected on his time on the sparkling show and its longevity.

In doing so, he insisted the show was something he believed should be “appreciated” despite outside noise.

Touching upon the Pernice saga in particular, Oduba commented: “Maybe it’s a good thing that changes have come into play.”

“But let the show live,” he continued. “You know, I think it’s people who are wanting and willing to cancel at the drop of a hat.

“But allow the essence of the show to live on, because there is nothing like it.”

Pernice was cleared of 11 of the 17 accusations against him, while the show’s reputation was under fire following the turbulent time for the competition.

As a result, some changes were introduced ahead of the current show, such as the use of chaperones for the celebrities taking part.

Arguing that the show wouldn’t be greenlit as a new concept today, he went on: “When you remind people this show would not get made today, in today’s TV landscape, I just hope people appreciate it, what we’ve got, and all the years that it’s given us.

“And I hope that it’s given the chance, you know, to evolve – and that might mean viewership fluctuates, but I think what it has is an essence like no other.”

Oduba, who has since embarked on a successful musical theatre career, also reflected on the ways in which social media adds another layer of pressure to those taking part in the show.

“I remember in our series, Instagram wasn’t really as much of a thing,” he recalled.

“I remember that there were members of the production team coming up to us and filming something and I asked a couple of days later, ‘I never saw that video that you did, where did it go?’

“[They said] ‘Oh, that’s on a new thing called Instagram Stories – 24 hours, and then it’s gone.’ I was like, ‘What’s the point of that?’”

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Oduba continued: “And that was only eight years ago, and it meant we did not have to care, and we could concentrate on dancing.

“And yes, you wanted the audience to come along on the ride with you, but you certainly didn’t have to have to give away more of yourself, to distract away from the reason why you did the show.

“So there’s a lot of that scrutiny is coming with it today.”

Strictly fans will be eagerly anticipating this weekend’s final, which will see either Chris McCausland, Sarah Hadland, Tasha Ghouri or JB Gill taking the 2024 crown.