So sad about Strictly.

[CurlewKate]

It's been part of our family life since it started. I really wanted to think it was as wholesome and joyous and life affirming as it looked, even though I knew it probably wasn't.

And there are celebrities that I feel differently about now because they didn't blow the whistle.😢

I've felt there's been an increasing undercurrent of macho Billy Big Bollocks attitude to training on SCD over the past few years. Many of the pros need their egos reining in. I had no idea Zara had been physically assaulted, that's bloody awful. I thought the treatment of Amanda A, both by the show and concurrent trial by social media, was beyond the pale, and the BBC should have supported her better.

Yes dance is competitive but surely we should have moved beyond this culture of people being harrassed, bullied and abused in their workplace by now? Professional kitchens, where verbal intimidation and humiliation in the name of 'greatness' once flourished, do seem to be improving, but surely no sentient adult should need telling you don't get the best out of someone by knocking them, physically or verbally, for six? It's food, ffs, and in SCD's case, a light entertainment show. It's not the army - no one's going to die if a celeb can't do a Charleston swivel properly 🙄

It is. He seems like a decent bloke!

Feel bad I mentioned Neil now. Its that desperation that does it for me. Maybe he's a nice guy.
Karen's another deperate one.

The GBBO is a good example of how to do competition. No one has spat at anyone over a badly turned out sponge.

Strictly obviously takes itself far too seriously.

Are you suggesting that appalling behaviour is acceptable because there are professional dancers?

I hope they will get over this and carry on anyway.

erm... yep, I'm a sad arse

Gotta have a hobby!
I know a lot of the above as I'm on the Strictly threads a lot (not under this name usually) so most of it (e.g. the early fat shaming) has stayed in my memory.
What intrigues me is what Sophie said - that you get inundated from start to last with what it must mean to you/what a great experience - that it's brainwashing.

That and how many contestants have/had career links to the Beeb must make it bloody difficult not to follow the script.
Either turning it down in the first place (I'm sure Naga didn't want to and Spangles was coerced) or not being suitably grateful.

It's not just Zara who played her part/enthused about her pro.
There are so many contestants who have done the same or who have put out denials. It does make you wonder who pulled the strings.
You have that quote from Caroline Quentin in 2021 (she did a "brutal and horrible" Strictly because of Covid isolation...but if she could see (or was told) what some of the pros did to get results...they can't all be exaggerating, can they?

Its been going for 20 years not ten

Have you seen how whistleblowers get treated by the community they're part of and they're brewing the whistle on? If you have never been in that situation yourself, please be careful about judging those who don't speak up. As someone who has spoken up, I know first hand how seemingly lovely, naice people turn on you like a coven. Whistleblowing = self destruction. Only do it if you have the backbone, thick skin and moral conviction needed. And also if you are willing to walk away from the place you are reporting.

Did the opposite for me. Them all glammed up while the public wernt even allowed to get a haircut

Too right, I voiced concerns about care work and funnily enough was shown the door.

Who is the former rent boy? Do you mean Craig?

It is. I studied something similar at uni and so had a brief glimpse into TV culture, and know other people who've worked and left that industry.

It seems to be over populated by pushy, privileged people. The impression I get is that reality TV shows, and shows with prominence are the worst ones for this. They tend to be arrogant and think that once they're on a mainstream show, everything needs to revolve around their wishes and make-way.

This is why they sometimes upset residents or neighbouring staff whilst filming.
There's also so much competition for jobs, and it beings out the worst in people.

year ago a male friend told me once he discovered how toxic, exploitative & corrupt football was he went from being a massive fan, to losing all interest in it. He has no interest in football to this day.

I think showbiz and BBC is going the same way - its so corrupt and exploitative, not to mention misogynistic with women and children usually coming out worse, once we see these harms we can't unsee them.

I've watch SCD since the beginning and I agree it is sad.

But the BBC seems to be a law into themselves and much harm occurs as a result. Look at Saville & currently the lack of reporting on major medical scandals including WPATH files and other "gender bollocks" stuff which they seem determined to ignore.

the BBC is now eating itself. I for one am walking away from it.

No.
I can think of three contestants that seemed a bit handsy with their partners/enjoying holding them a little too much in results shows with their pro husbands throwing the daggers.
But actual assault? No.
I can only think of one time who I think you are referring to may have been brought up in sleb twaddle and that was consensual if it indeed happened
. Blackpool/closeted contestant

Cynical about Amanda, she's well known in the TV world for being absolutely cuckoo.

Not saying things didn't happen but not sure it's entirely one sided.

You don't get the issue with kicking, hitting and spitting?

She wasn't the only one who made allegations against Gio.

Or maybe she was one of the few who had the grit to say "I am not standing for this".

We don't know do we?

The fact that she wasn't allowed to speak out afterwards was strange though. Everyone accepted that this was normal, but why on earth can't you speak out publically after having a bad time on a dance show? Do contestants have to sign confidentiality agreements or what?

The fact that she wasn't allowed to speak out afterwards was strange though.

no one every comes out and really speaks critically of SCD do they? I guess they all sign heavy NDA's along with their contracts

I've said this one another thread, but, while I absolutely DO NOT condone anyone abusing or otherwise treating badly their dance partners, I do think the show bears some responsibility

It's so hyped and hyper, in more recent years – mark inflation, the constant refrain of 'when will we see the first 10', 'the standard is higher than ever', and of course having people on like Layton and other celebs who are practically or actually professional dancers.
I can well imagine that, if you're a pro and you have someone who's not an out-and-out duffer (in which case you'll court the comedy/sympathy votes instead), you'll feel under immense pressure to get them to be good enough.

Strictly has become less and less about 'having a go' and more and more about setting high standards for itself/its contestants and trying to raise them year on year, to the detriment of viewer enjoyment (IMO) and of course to the detriment of some celebs.