Last month, George Clarke and several of his fellow contestants on *Strictly Come Dancing* were taken by surprise while browsing their social media feeds.
Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman had just announced via an Instagram video their departure as presenters of the popular BBC One program after 21 and 11 years, respectively.
The current series’ contestants were unaware, learning the news alongside the public.
“I think we found out as everybody else did, just on their socials, which I’m constantly refreshing anyway, as I’m a big fan,” stated Clarke, a YouTuber and podcaster.
“I don’t think anybody expected it.”
“We’d just finished on Lorraine, and we just looked at our phones and we saw it on social media,” added *Emmerdale* actor Lewis Cope.
“We were so shocked. And then we were told later, it had to be that way, and they couldn’t really give anyone a heads up.”
“No one saw it coming,” echoed drag queen and *Strictly* participant La Voix.
Daly and Winkleman’s announcement elicited a significant online reaction, with the pair stating that they “were always going to leave together and now feels like the right time” in a joint statement.
While the timing is right for them, it follows a period of turbulence for the show, marked by several controversies in recent years.
As reported Thursday night, an unnamed *Strictly* star was arrested last month on suspicion of rape. Hertfordshire Police confirmed the individual was released on bail while the investigation continues.
This development is not believed to be connected to the current season of *Strictly*.
Nearly a month after Daly and Winkleman’s announcement, BBC News spoke with the *Strictly* contestants in anticipation of this weekend’s show at the Blackpool Tower Ballroom.
Speculation is rife regarding potential replacements for the presenting duo, with names like Alan Carr and Holly Willoughby circulating.
*EastEnders* actress Balvinder Sopal remarked that “you feel like it’s the end of an era, and you don’t know what the show is going to look like in the future.”
Speaking on the *Rest is Entertainment* podcast this week, Kate Phillips, the BBC’s chief content officer, acknowledged that her inbox had been “inundated” with expressions of interest in the position.
“We have had so many people who are keen to be considered, which is great.”
Despite the surprise departure, *Strictly* is heading towards its final weeks, with the competition intensifying.
Reaching the annual Blackpool Tower Ballroom episode, typically marking the competition’s midpoint and a change from Elstree Studios, is a significant achievement for many celebrities and professionals.
La Voix won’t be joining the stars in the 19th-century ballroom after being forced to withdraw due to injury, receiving a pass to the next week under *Strictly* rules. The remaining six couples will compete alongside live performances from Lewis Capaldi and Steps.
Former *Strictly* finalists Ashley Roberts, Danny Mac, Jay McGuiness, and Layton Williams will also return for the special event.
For Cope, reaching Blackpool week feels like an “achievement.”
“Although you have the themed weeks leading up to it, it feels like the first big milestone,” he said. “And the fish and chips are really nice.”
Former England footballer Karen Carney echoed that sentiment.
“I spoke to my sister this morning, and she was like, they’re really proud we’ve reached this milestone. They didn’t think I’d be able to do it,” she said.
All the stars have been dedicating considerable time to preparing for the experience.
Former *Love Island* winner Amber Davies is trying to approach Blackpool like any other week.
“I don’t want to look back with regrets. I’m literally pushing my mind and my body to the furthest it can go,” she said.
Amidst the glamour of the dance floor, *Strictly*, which has aired since 2004, has faced several controversies in recent years regarding the behavior of some professionals and celebrity guests, with allegations of a toxic environment on the show.
We asked the current stars whether they’ve felt this was the case.
*Doctor Who* actress Alex Kingston stated that she “doesn’t read stuff like that” in the press.
“The thing that I have found really so extraordinary and unexpected is that everybody is so lovely,” she said.
“No one can make *Strictly* not exhausting and not painful. Your feet kill and your back hurts and you’re trying desperately to hold your physical self together week by week, but the emotional support is incredible,” La Voix added.
Since those interviews, the Sun reported this week that a male *Strictly* star is alleged to have raped a woman after a BBC event.
According to the paper, the woman was not a contestant or professional on the show.
Another BBC TV behemoth – *The Traitors* – has risen to new heights this year with *Celebrity Traitors*, with up to 13 million viewers tuning in, more than double the number who watched this year’s *Strictly* launch show.
So, we asked the contestants, has *Traitors* stolen *Strictly’s* sparkle this year?
Cope, for his part, isn’t too worried. “I think it’s brilliant, isn’t it? Just more great shows on television,” he said. “I think it’s only a positive.”
“There’s enough success in the world for everything,” Davies agreed.
“And also,” she added, “we’ve got one diamond amongst both of them – Claudia.”
*Strictly Come Dancing’s Blackpool special is on BBC One and BBC iPlayer at 6.35pm on Saturday.
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