A Strictly Come Dancing professional has made a heartfelt plea to fans online
Lauren Oakley, a Strictly Come Dancing professional, has issued a poignant appeal on social media, just days following the BBC’s live final, which saw Karen Carney and Carlos Gu win the show.
2025 has proven tumultuous for the beloved programme, plagued by cast injuries, staff arrests, and divisive social media activity.
With the BBC dancers preparing for significant changes ahead of their nationwide live tour, the 34-year-old performer has turned to social platforms, imploring online trolls to show compassion as the New Year approaches.
Posting on X – previously Twitter – on Tuesday (December 30), she began by emphasising she’s “not posting for replies or attention”.
The accomplished dancer continued: “We just don’t talk about it enough so that we ‘don’t give them what they want’ – but one comment online can really ruin your whole day.”
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“You have no idea where someone is emotionally and mentally. Please, please think before you type,” she concluded.
True to her word, the ballroom specialist disabled comments on her message, which attracted 68,000 views within just one hour of going live, reports the Express.
During this year’s competition, Lauren partnered with celebrity contestant Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, with the pair departing the 23rd series in week five after facing elimination in the feared dance-off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin.
Following an announcement by Lauren and her fellow professional dancer Kai Widdrington, fans can look forward to seeing them ‘keep dancing’ in the new year.
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Fans of the BBC spectacle will know that Kai and Lauren are set to join the star-studded cast for the Strictly Live tour, but there’s more in store.
The duo will be returning to the ballroom for a series of weekend events in the new year. Alongside the post was a message that read: “DOUBLE ANNOUNCEMENT!
“We’re absolutely delighted to share that the dynamic duo Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley will be joining us for TWO of our 2026 Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars weekends!
“Get ready for phenomenal dance workshops, dance showcases, and fascinating Q&A sessions where you can dive deep into their incredible careers.”
Fans were quick to show their support in the comments section, with one user writing: “This would be the best weekend.”
Another agreed, saying: “Both my favourites,” while a third enthused: “Very nice, Lauren.”
Strictly Come Dancing is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
