The BBC wants to make Strictly Come Dancing more fun and less competitive, its director general has said as he confirmed the next series of the show will go ahead this autumn.
Tim Davie said he was worried that the Saturday night show had lost track of its purpose, with dancers too focused on winning the top prize.
“We’ve got to ensure the fun and entertainment prevails,” he said. “Alongside the fun and entertainment there will be a degree of competitiveness, hard work, and will to do well; that’s part of what makes this show. But there are limits and the line should never be crossed.”
He conceded that many of the contestants on the programme pushed themselves and their partners hard. “You’ve got competitive individuals, often sports stars and professional dancers, who want to win,” he said. “And I think it’s incumbent on us to manage that – and make sure fun and entertainment prevails.”
The show has been hit by a series of accusations about the behaviour of dancers in the rehearsal room, with professionals Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice leaving the show in recent weeks. Pernice disputes claims of domineering behaviour, while Di Prima accepted he once kicked his celebrity partner Zara McDermott.
Davie said Strictly was a “wonderful show that brings a lot of joy to a lot of people and has done so for 20 years”. Of the hundreds who had been involved with Strictly Come Dancing over the last two decades, he said most of them had had a positive experience – but he urged anyone with complaints to come forward.
Speaking at the launch of the BBC’s annual report, he said the corporation had already booked “a brilliant lineup” for the next series, to be announced in the coming weeks, and that there were no plans for further professional dancers to leave.
The director general said the corporation “will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour” and the broadcaster has already announced plans to introduce chaperones for rehearsals.
He added: “I need to be assured we have the right safeguarding procedures and duty of care processes in place to deliver a flawless show. That is the first question I ask as director general. I am assured by the robust actions we have taken in terms of the changes we’ve made. We are in a position to deliver a very good season this year.
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“I want to ensure a show that is loved by millions can continue, and that any reaction is fair and proportionate.
“How do we make sure that we deliver a show that’s fun and entertaining but also appropriately supports everyone involved? I’m looking forward to the next season.”