STRICTLY Come Dancing is waltzing back on to our screens, but will it be the same show that has gripped fans for two decades?
Viewers are wondering how much the reality show will change after a string of contestants came forward this year to complain about alleged bullying.
Brand and culture expert Nick Ede fears the family favourite risks being weighed down by “caution” following the recent scandals.
But he expects the show to go on as if nothing has happened, with hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman ignoring the controversies
Even though the ratings winner picked up a National Television Award on Wednesday night, it will celebrate its 20th anniversary under a cloud.
Plans to film a special at Buckingham Palace were scrapped following the scandals and producers won’t want to push the contestants too hard for the big event given all the complaints.
That means the BBC will need to be fleet-footed in order to add extra glitz for the anniversary, while also reigning in the worst excesses of the gruelling rehearsals.
Two of its most popular dancers, Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima, won’t be challenging for the Glitterball trophy this year following allegations that they caused great distress to their famous partners.
And it appears to have been tricky attracting female competitors willing to put their best foot forward in the wake of the trauma felt by Zara McDermott and Amanda Abbington, with a lower proportion of women competing this series.
Here we look at the seven big questions which need to be answered.
Numerous competitors have claimed that they suffered exhaustion, pain and stress as a result of the strict regimes imposed on them by the BBC production.
It has been reported that Sherlock actress Amanda, 52, has post traumatic stress disorder.
An internal investigation is being carried out and the corporation’s director Tim Davie recently said: “I’m very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive.”
Nick believes this will mean some of the stars this year with little or no dancing experience, such as presenter Nick Knowles and Arsenal legend Paul Merson, might not make such great strides.
He comments: “In the dancing we have seen some people who literally couldn’t dance become fantastic dancers, and I don’t think we’re going to see as much of that, because people are gonna be a bit more cautious and tiptoeing.”
When Phil Schofield stepped down from This Morning in the wake of a scandal, a statement about his departure was made on air.
But the absence of Giovanni and Graziano is unlikely to be even mentioned and there is little chance of a public acknowledgement of the bullying claims.
Nick says: “It’s difficult because it’s a family show, and kids are gonna be watching it with their moms and aunties and grandmothers.
“And you don’t want to start a show which is celebrating its 20 years with something negative.
“I can’t imagine Claudia or Tess addressing the nation in that respect, because it kind of implicates everybody.”
This year the BBC are placing chaperones in all the rehearsal rooms to make sure the professionals don’t cross any lines when it comes to overworking their partners.
But will more protections be put in place?
The publicly funded corporation doesn’t want someone else being kicked and hit like Zara allegedly was by Graziano.
A welfare officer will also be part of the production team for both the celebrities and professional dancers.
With the spotlight firmly on the show, managers and lawyers are going to demand any bad behaviour be stamped out quickly.
Many marriages and relationships of the contestants have hit the rocks after they got too passionate with their dance partners.
Spending all day arms around each other and bodies entwined can lead to even more intense action in the bedroom.
Back in 2015 Giovanni Pernice started seeing his dancer partner, Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote, who had been dating her soap opera co-star Sean Ward.
But Nick thinks the chaperones will take some of the spice out of the Latin moves.
I can’t imagine Claudia or Tess addressing the nation
Nick Ede
Nick says: “I think the chaperone thing is going to really be a block to some budding romances.
“I don’t think we’ll see as much passion, because obviously there’s somebody there.
“But intimacy and chemistry are what the judges always talk about.
“One of the biggest things about Strictly is seeing a celebrity that we see on the soap opera dancing with a gorgeous performer, and seeing what their chemistry is like, and that’s what kind of ignites us.”
Fans can expect an extra dose of nostalgia this year as Strictly marks its 20th anniversary.
The BBC hasn’t yet revealed its big showpiece, but Nick thinks the highlight will be referenced throughout the series.
The late head judge Len Goodman and former host Bruce Forsyth are sure to get plenty of tributes, as will living ex-judges Bruno Tonioli and Arlene Phillips.
Nick comments: “There’s so much nostalgia that comes with this show, everybody remembers Len, everybody remembers Bruno, everybody remembers Arlene, and obviously Bruce Forsyth.
“So I think it’ll be a lot of going back to some of the fabulous moments that happened during the last 20 years, and really reliving them.”
Slovenian champion dancer Aljaž Škorjanec will glide back into the ballroom after a two-year absence.
There are suggestions that some of his fellow professionals won’t be happy to see him back, having left the show under a cloud after a “shocking” altercation with a female professional. He has always denied doing anything wrong.
It remains to be seen whether any tensions will play out on-screen, but having won on his first series with Abbey Clancy in 2011, Aljaž remains a fan favourite.
Nick thinks that Aljaž was likely to be welcomed back because of his ability on the dancefloor and his marriage to Jeanette Manrara, who hosts the spin-off Strictly show It Takes Two.
He says: “Aljaz and Jeanette are a great couple. Obviously the BBC wanted another dancer who’s very professional. He is a great dancer.”
In the early days of the reality show, the fly-on-the-wall camera teams captured plenty of tantrums and tumbles.
Back then, much of it was broadcast to audiences. The tears and slip-ups were part of the entertainment.
As the show went on, though, the audiences saw less of the dirt under the fingernails and were fed a diet of smiley, happy contestants.
Nick doesn’t expect that to change.
I think the chaperone thing is going to really be a block to some budding romances
Nick Ede
He comments: “I think the sanitization of the show can actually sort of spoil the audience’s excitement because they want to see this kind of tension.
“When Strictly first happened, the judges were having big spats with the contestants and the dancers who’d have proper arguments on live television, which was a ratings winner.”
But they need to be careful not to belittle anyone.
Nick adds: “People have to be sensitive, mental health is extremely important.”
