Let’s talk about the elephant in the ballroom.
Year after year, the debate reignites: is it fair for celebrities with prior dance training to compete on shows like *Strictly Come Dancing*? This season, the murmurs have grown louder, with even the show's own professionals hinting at an uneven playing field.
On one hand, it makes for spectacular television. A contestant who can already move with grace and rhythm delivers those jaw-dropping performances early on. They set a high bar, and the audience gets to witness polished artistry from week one.
But let's be real—this is a competition marketed on transformation. The core narrative is about the journey: the clumsy first steps, the painful blisters, the breakthrough moment in week six. When a contestant enters with a significant head start, that "journey" feels pre-packaged. It can undermine the hard work of the true beginners who are genuinely starting from zero.
This isn't about shaming talent. Dancers work their entire lives to hone their craft, and that skill deserves respect. However, in a competition that pits a former pop star with years of stage choreography against a sports star or a comedian, the scales are inherently tipped.
The real issue might not be the presence of experienced dancers, but the *pretence* that everyone is on the same starting line. Perhaps it's time for the show to be more transparent. Acknowledge the different starting points. Celebrate the technical excellence of the trained dancers in one breath, and the raw, inspiring progress of the novices in the next.
Because at the end of the day, the public isn't naive. We can see the difference between a learned skill and muscle memory from a previous career. Fairness isn't about banning experience; it's about managing expectations and honoring every kind of journey in the ballroom.
The glitter can only cover so much. True fairness might be the next evolution for Strictly.
