Strictly's biggest controversies - from axed stars and 'curses' to Ofcom complaints

Giovanni Pernice won't star in the show this year (Image: Getty)

Strictly Come Dancing is returning to BBC One later this year for an all-new series, with Shirley Ballas, Craig Revel Horwood, Motsi Mabuse and Anton Du Beke set to come back as judges. An array of well-loved professionals will also make a comeback, and a handful of them will get celebrity partners who they could win the Glitterball Trophy with.

The show has produced some BAFTA-winning moments since it launched in 2004, but the programme has been overshadowed by controversy in recent months following Giovanni Pernice's exit and Graziano Di Prima's dismissal.

Ahead of an official start date for the upcoming series being confirmed by the BBC, Express.co.uk has taken a look back at Strictly Come Dancing's most controversial moments over the years.

Giovanni Pernice dropped from Strictly line-up

The 33-year-old dancer reportedly quit Strictly Come Dancing months after his former celebrity partner Amanda Abbington claimed she suffered Post Traumatic Stress Disorder following her time with him on the show. Rumours of Giovanni's exit were sparked after his name was not listed in the 2024 professional line-up, but he has vehemently denied all claims made against him and told his social media followers he wants to clear his name.

Amanda Abbington quit Strictly last year (Image: Getty) Amanda Abbington quits midway through series

Sherlock actress Amanda Abbington shocked Strictly fans when she announced she had quit last year's series just five weeks into the process. She cited she left the show on "medical" and "personal" grounds. The star aborted social media after being hounded by Giovanni's fans as he told his followers: "I reject any suggestion of abusive or threatening behaviour, and I look forward to clearing my name."

Graziano Di Prima's axed from show

Graziano Di Prima joined Strictly in 2018, but his time on the show came to an end after allegations of "gross misconduct" emerged. The 30-year-old dancer, who trained at the same school as Giovanni, was accused of "kicking" his 2023 celebrity partner Zara McDermott. He issued a statement following his dismissal saying he "deeply regrets" the events that led up to him being axed. Meanwhile, Love Island star Zara has described having "incredibly distressing" experiences during her time in the contest.

Graziano Di Prima and Zara McDermott (Image: Getty)

Katya Jones and Seann Walsh in 2018 (Image: Getty) 'Kissgate' scandal

Russian professional dancer Katya Jones and her celebrity partner Seann Walsh made headlines in 2018 after they were pictured sharing a kiss during a night out, despite them both being in relationships at the time. The comedian's girlfriend soon revealed the kiss happened on her birthday and she broke up with Seann straight away. Katya, who was married to fellow Strictly pro Neil Jones, dismissed the scandal was linked to their subsequent divorce.

James Jordan addresses 'sacking'

Former pro James Jordan, who is married to dancer Ola Jordan, left the programme a decade ago and accused BBC bosses of sacking him. When the show posted on X that he would be missed following his departure, the dancer bluntly replied: "So why sack me?"

Ofcom complaints flood in

Ola Jordan and her partner Robbie Savage's raunchy Paso Doble to Bad by Michael Jackson in 2011 sparked 325 Ofcom complaints at the time. Robbie started doing "crotch thrusts" during the performance and even grabbed himself in front of judge Craig Revel Horwood to finish the routine off.

James Jordan pictured with wife Ola Jordan (Image: Getty)

Arlene Phillips used to be a Strictly judge (Image: Getty) Judge Arlene Phillips gets 'replaced'

Original judge Arlene Phillips claimed she was forced to learn about being cut from Strictly Come Dancing while listening to Radio 5 in 2009 - The Mirror reports. When she was 66, she was replaced by Britain's Got Talent judge Alesha Dixon. Recalling a heartbreaking call about the situation, she said: "It's like a divorce, isn't it? It happens, it's divorce by telephone, you get a phone call and suddenly it’s like 'Hello, my family's gone'. I'm here and they are there."

Ola Jordan's fix accusations

Ola Jordan quit Strictly Come Dancing in 2015, a year after her husband James left. However, she told The Sun she thought the show was rigged, telling the newspaper: "Some of the marking is way off. People are over-marked and under-marked. All the pros talk about the marking. We ask each other, 'What is all that about? Why are they trying to over-mark that person?'" A BBC spokesperson denied her allegations and said in response: "Each judge scores each dance independently, based on its merits and on their expert opinion."

Strictly's biggest controversies - from axed stars and 'curses' to Ofcom complaints

Strictly's biggest controversies - from axed stars and 'curses' to Ofcom complaints

Strictly's biggest controversies - from axed stars and 'curses' to Ofcom complaints

Strictly's biggest controversies - from axed stars and 'curses' to Ofcom complaints

Strictly's biggest controversies - from axed stars and 'curses' to Ofcom complaints