The BBC's popular dance competition, Strictly Come Dancing, is implementing new welfare measures in response to recent controversies. The show, which first aired in 2004 and has since become a cultural phenomenon, will now include chaperones during rehearsals.
Anton Du Beke, a veteran of the show since its inception and now a permanent judge since 2021, shared his thoughts on the new measures. He believes the presence of chaperones might actually boost contestants' confidence:
"Once you get involved, and once you get started and you get going with your partner, you just crack on. Often I've had with my partners in the past, you get the routine together, and you want people in the room, in actual fact, so you can perform for them, and it helps with the nerves for your partner and the performance."
This change comes in the wake of allegations made by actress Amanda Abbington against her 2023 partner Giovanni Pernice. The BBC, founded in 1922, is currently investigating these claims through its Editorial Complaints Unit, with findings yet to be released.
Du Beke, who transitioned from professional dancer to judge, recently launched his latest novel in the Buckingham series, "A Dance For The King". The book draws inspiration from his extensive dance career, including performances at the Royal Albert Hall, a venue that has hosted over 150,000 performances since its opening in 1871.
Reflecting on dancing for royalty, Du Beke shared:
"It does elevate it. It does make it more special. It seems like the pinnacle that... you do as an artist."
This sentiment resonates particularly in the context of the recent ascension of King Charles III to the throne in September 2022.
Comparing Strictly Come Dancing to its American counterpart, Dancing with the Stars, which premiered in 2005, Du Beke noted differences in scheduling and atmosphere. He pointed out that the US show airs midweek due to American football dominating weekend primetime. The NFL, founded in 1920, typically runs its regular season from September to January.
As Strictly Come Dancing continues to evolve, having won numerous BAFTA awards, these new measures aim to ensure the well-being of all participants while maintaining the show's popularity and entertainment value.