Strictly’s mostly male line-up defended by BBC: ‘It’s never been about ticking boxes’

As a seasoned cinema enthusiast with a keen eye for detail and a deep appreciation for balance and diversity in entertainment, I find myself slightly troubled by this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up. While I applaud the diverse backgrounds of the celebrities, the 3:1 ratio of men to women is a bit disappointing, especially considering it’s the show’s 20th anniversary.

In celebration of Strictly Come Dancing reaching its 20th year, the recently unveiled cast has faced criticism due to the balance between male and female participants being called into question by viewers.

As a long-time fan of “Strictly Come Dancing,” I can’t help but feel disappointed by this year’s lineup. With nine male celebrities set to take to the dancefloor, while there are only six female celebrities participating, it seems that the show is lacking in gender balance. This isn’t the first time I’ve noticed an imbalance on “Strictly,” but its occurrence during the 20th season feels particularly disappointing, especially given the recent controversy surrounding the show.

“In our casting process, we consider several variables to create a diverse lineup of celebrities representing various backgrounds. We don’t adhere strictly to any specific gender ratio for the show, and our aim is not to simply meet quotas or checkboxes.”

Here they are… these are your stars for Strictly Come Dancing 2024, all set and prepared to dance on the ballroom floor! For more details, click here.
— BBC Press Office (@bbcpress) August 12, 2024

As a longtime fan of Strictly Come Dancing, I am genuinely excited about this year’s lineup. With a diverse and talented group of contestants hailing from different walks of life, it promises to be an engaging season filled with memorable performances.

The group is completed by Sarah Hadland, Montell Douglas, Tom Dean, Jamie Borthwick, Nick Knowles, Sam Quek, and Paul Merson.

It’s not uncommon that some of this year’s popular figures have faced criticism, with their past dancing abilities being pointed out by social media users as a reason for the backlash they’ve received.

Among those under criticism was Love Island contestant Ghouri, who justified his participation in the show during an interview with KISS.

As a film enthusiast, I haven’t danced in quite some time – it’s been years since Love Island, and my career has taken a completely different path. The dance style they’re asking me to perform is unlike anything I’ve done before, and honestly, I’m not confident in my ballet skills. My training is more focused on commercial street styles. This new challenge is going to be tough, but the thrill of stepping out of my comfort zone has me feeling excited!

Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One and iPlayer later this year.

2024-08-14 19:36

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