Strictly's Shakeup: Fans Divided as Pros Sit Out and Same-Sex Pairings Absent

The latest season of the beloved dance competition show Strictly Come Dancing has sparked a mix of excitement and disappointment among viewers. While the return of the series was met with an explosion of color and energy, some fans were left disheartened by the absence of certain fan-favorite professionals and the lack of same-sex dance couples.

Strictly's Shakeup Leaves Fans Divided

Pros Sidelined, Fans Disappointed

The 2024 Strictly Come Dancing season saw the return of several beloved professionals, including Amy Dowden and Aljaž Škorjanec. However, the absence of some familiar faces, such as Kai Widdrington, Carlos Gu, and Lauren Oakley, left many viewers feeling let down. These talented dancers were not assigned celebrity partners this year, instead playing a supporting role in the group routines.Kai Widdrington, who narrowly missed out on the final in the previous season, expressed his disappointment at not receiving a celebrity partner, but remained hopeful for the future. "Everyone wants to get a celebrity. Unfortunately it wasn't my time this series. Two boys couldn't have one this series and sadly I am one of them. Some of us don't get partners and that's the way it is. Let's see what happens next year. Hopefully I'll get one then," he told The Daily Star.Carlos Gu, who had a successful partnership with Angela Scanlon in the previous season, also broke his silence on the matter, sharing a message of gratitude and four blue hearts on his Instagram stories. Fans were quick to express their disappointment, with one writing, "Wish you had a partner in SCD this year. Love watching you dance."Similarly, Lauren Oakley, who had a wonderful Strictly experience with Krishnan Guru-Murthy in the 2023 series, was also left without a celebrity partner this year. Fans were quick to voice their frustration, with one commenting, "It is criminal you haven't got a partner this year. Absolutely dreadful decision."

The Absence of Same-Sex Couples

Another point of contention for some Strictly fans was the lack of same-sex dance couples in the 2024 season. In recent years, the show has made strides in inclusivity, with Layton Williams and Nikita Kuzmin's partnership in the previous season being one of the most talked-about pairings. However, this year, there were no same-sex couples represented.Fans expressed their disappointment on social media, with one person writing, "so no same-sex couple at strictly this year? massive let down." Another added, "Strictly has a great record in very recent years of including people with disabilities, as well as same-sex dance couples. One needn't be at the expense of the other, and it has been reported as a deliberate choice not to continue with same-sex pairings. That is a step backwards."The loss of same-sex pairings was seen by some as a step backward for the show, with one fan commenting, "On the whole, the pairings are fine, but having no same-sex pairings (even if it was because of a drop out) and benching Kai and Carlos feels like the producers pouring fuel on the fire."

Strictly's Viewership Dips, but Remains Strong

Despite the controversies surrounding the 2024 season, Strictly Come Dancing's launch episode still attracted a significant audience, with an average of 5.5 million viewers tuning in. While this was nearly a million fewer than the previous year, it's worth noting that an increasing number of people are watching the show on BBC iPlayer or catch-up TV, which are not reflected in the overnight data.The diverse and talented lineup of celebrities and professionals, as well as the show's enduring popularity, suggest that Strictly Come Dancing will continue to captivate audiences and inspire viewers, even in the face of these changes and challenges.