Strictly Come Dancing (BBC One) had another feather-ruffling controversy this week as animal rights activists accused the show of butchery in the name of bling. Animal rights organisation Peta has protested the use of feathered outfits in dancers’ costumes, which the organisation described as “gory not glamorous”.
It’s the latest wrinkle for Strictly, which has already had its wholesome image tarnished by the Amanda Abbington-Giovanni Pernice spat. And now a furore over feathers. Can the beleaguered ratings monster catch a break?
A fairytale ending may yet come to pass—but not for the time being. A first-ever Icons weekend served up another contentious moment as two of the season’s more solid celebs, Sam Quek and Montell Douglas, were relegated to the dance-off despite thoroughly outperforming bottom-rung hoofer Pete Wicks.
With viewers coming out in support of the puckish Pete, Sam and Montell were left to duke it out in an underwhelming episode. They gave it their best – only for Sam to receive the dreaded thumbs down from the judges. Her elimination won’t be a deal-breaker for Strictly die-hards who’ve stuck with the series despite all the flying skin and hair (and feathers).