Inside the huge change to the Strictly Come Dancing live band
Since the Strictly Come Dancing’s debut in 2004, the BBC competition series has been an integral part of television in the annual lead-up to Christmas.
Among the revolving door of new celebrities taking part and the shift of professional dancers, the much-loved live band, led by Dave Arch was a familiar staple to the show.
Each week, the music set the atmosphere for the competing dancers, adding a fresh element to famed songs and themed nights.
However, this year there was a major change after the live band was dramatically reduced to seven musicians.
The Musicians’ Association (MU) called out the show and said the members were initially cut back due to Covid’s social distancing measures but were never reinstated after the pandemic ended.
Read more: Strictly's Chris McCausland seeks medical help after sustaining painful injury
Strictly Come Dancing returned with a major change (Image: BBC)They added that the live band has been limited to its rhythm section, which consists of seven musicians, while the rest of the band, which it says varies in number, is pre-recorded in a studio during a three-hour session.
The union said it did not “accept” that Strictly “needs to cut corners in this way.
One musician accused the BBC of using “silhouetted areas that could be assumed to be positions of musicians present” to hide the fact that the band was smaller.
It said that the BBC has since offered a compromise of bringing back the full band for four episodes, despite the union wanting it to return for the full series.
Don't miss...
BBC's Nick Robinson forced to issue apology over awkward Jeremy Hunt blunder [LATEST]
Strictly Come Dancing's Craig addresses future on BBC show after 20 years [INSIGHT]
Oti Mabuse's husband issues six word warning to men around Strictly star [LATEST]
We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our Privacy Policy
A BBC spokesperson responded and explained: “We are proud to be one of the last remaining shows to still use a live band and singers and remain committed to doing so.
“We have increased the use of the Strictly Come Dancing House Band's brass section in the current series for three live shows covering themed weeks such as movies and musicals and one other show to be confirmed - in addition to the annual visit to Blackpool - where classic song choices require more frequent use of these instruments.
“For editorial reasons, and to ensure the best value for money for audiences, we are unable to support a brass section for the entire series as we did pre-Covid,” they added to OK! Magazine.
Inside the huge change to the Strictly Come Dancing live band
Inside the huge change to the Strictly Come Dancing live band
Inside the huge change to the Strictly Come Dancing live band
Inside the huge change to the Strictly Come Dancing live band
Inside the huge change to the Strictly Come Dancing live band
Play online games for free at games.easybranches.com
Guest Post Services www.easybranches.com/contribute