Strictly fans are convinced stars have pulled out of the show because of its current crisis.
The BBC ballroom contest has been hit with a flurry of negative publicity, with pro Giovanni Pernice leaving amid claims about his teaching methods, and Graziano Di Prima exiting after it emerged that he kicked his 2023 celeb partner Zara McDermott.
Confirmation of this year’s contestants has started, with the likes of Pete Wicks, Toyah Willcox and Wynne Evans on the list so far. But viewers reckon there could have been some bigger stars in the line-up who have now decided against a whirl around the dancefloor.
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“Starting to wonder how many celebrities pulled out of Strictly this year…” one person posted on X, after the celeb names started to be revealed one by one on TV and radio shows. “This Strictly line-up so far is really giving last minute replacements of bigger celebrities who have dropped out because of all the allegations…” said another.
One posted: “Guessing a couple of people have pulled out of Strictly from the announcements so far. Probably not the year to do it.”
“I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the women pulled out after all the allegations and Strictly had to get more men to replace them,” remarked another fan. Someone else wrote: “Is it unkind to think perhaps quite a few high profile people have dropped out of Strictly this year…? The line-up has the unmistakable feel of a B-list.”
(Image: @zara_mcdermott/Instagram)
The Strictly saga started to unfold after Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington pulled out of the 2023 series of the competition early. She has since alleged that her pro partner Giovanni’s behaviour was “unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean”. However, the dancer has previously denied the allegations against him and has made it clear that he looks forward to clearing his name.
Then last month it emerged that last year Graziano kicked Zara once during rehearsals. He has been removed from the show and his spokesman told the BBC: “There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that. He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.”
This year’s Strictly line-up includes The Only Way is Essex star Pete Wicks, comedian Chris McCausland, JLS’ JB Gill, Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, TV doctor Punam Krishan, singer Toyah Willcox and opera star Wynne Evans. More names are due to be announced.
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Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
