Strictly Come Dancing has returned but with all of the sparkle also comes some kind of controversy.
The BBC ballroom show generates countless column inches in the news each year and it isn’t just about the dancefloor action.
Whether it’s outrageous comments, shock sackings or the good old Strictly Curse, the show always gets everyone talking.
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As a new crop of celebs get ready to strut their stuff, we take a look back at some of Strictly’s most controversial moments from over the years.
Anton Du Beke’s race row
(Image: BBC)
Anton had to apologise after using a racial slur to describe his celeb partner Laila Rouass.
The dancer – and now judge – was paired with the actress in 2009 when he was still a pro and it emerged that he had used a racist term during rehearsals.
Du Beke reportedly said Rouass, who is mixed race, “looked like a P***” after she turned up to a rehearsal with a spray tan. Rouass is said to have stormed out of the rehearsal two weeks ago.
However, Du Beke insisted that he and Laila often had some “banter” and that “there was no racist intent whatsoever”.
“I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language,” Anton said in a statement.
“During the course of rehearsals Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used.
“There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react.”
The star added that he apologised “unreservedly” for any offence he might have caused.
Seann Walsh and Katya Jones’ kiss
(Image: BBC)
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Seann and Katya’s illicit kiss was one of the biggest ever Strictly scandals.
Comedian Seann and pro Katya were partnered up for the 2018 series of the show.
They were just a few weeks into the competition when they were snapped snogging after a night out in London – even though Katya was married to dancer Neil Jones at the time.
The shamed pair rushed to apologise for their “one-off mistake”.
But the damage was done and Seann’s relationship with actress Rebecca Humphries soon came to an end.
Katya and Neil stuck together for a bit but months later confirmed that their marriage was over.
Arlene Phillips’ shock firing
(Image: BBC)
Arlene was originally one of the judges alongside Craig Revel Horwood, Len Goodman and Bruno Tonioli.
She became a firm fixture on the panel from 2004, where fans enjoyed her detailed critiques.
But then after the 2008 series she was suddenly axed and it was announced that Alesha Dixon would be taking her seat on the panel.
As Arlene was 66 and Alesha was 30, it sparked a massive row about ageism.
And the TV star has even said recently that she still isn’t sure exactly why she got the chop.
Aston Merrygold gets the boot
(Image: BBC)
Back in 2017 many viewers were fuming when Aston Merrygold was eliminated from the show.
The JLS star, who was paired with Janette Manrara, was thought to be the hot favourite for the Glitterball and it was a massive shock when he got the boot.
Aston had ended up in the dance-off (partly after only managing to get a four from Craig) and after dancing again he was given his marching orders.
Plenty of viewers took to Twitter to say it was a disgrace that he’d even been in the bottom two, and former Strictly pro James Jordan labelled it “disgusting”.
Brendan Cole leaves
(Image: PA Archive/PA Images)
Brendan was one of the most familiar parts of the dance contest, having been a pro for 15 series.
So jaws dropped in 2018 when it was announced that he was going.
The star opened up about it on ITV’s Lorraine and admitted he was really emotional about getting the boot.
“They made an editorial decision not to have me on the show,” he explained.
“I’m in a bit of shock at the moment.”
Strictly Come Dancing continues Saturday night on BBC.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
