The BBC dance competition has been hit with another wave of backlash this year, and one pro dancer has taken a stand against it.

Strictly Come Dancing has been hit with a wave of backlash this year (Image: PA)

Strictly Come Dancing professional Lauren Oakley has made a heartbreaking plea online, days after the BBC live final. 2025 has been a year of scandal for the flagship show, marked by numerous cast members suffering injuries, crew arrests, and controversial posts. As the BBC dancers gear up for a year of change ahead of the nationwide live tour, the 34-year-old dancer has taken to social media to urge trolls to be kind as the New Year looms closer.

Taking to X – formerly known as Twitter – on Tuesday (December 30), she prefaced her post by insisting she’s “not posting for replies or attention”. The award-winning dancer added: “We just don’t talk about it enough so that we ‘don’t give them what they want’ – but one comment online can really ruin your whole day.

“You have no idea where someone is emotionally and mentally. Please, please think before you type,” she concluded. As previously stated, the ballroom expert turned off the comments section on her post, which has garnered 68,000 views just one hour after being set live.

This year, Lauren and her celebrity dance partner Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink were eliminated from the 23rd series of the competition in week five after finding themselves in the dreaded dance-off against Amber Davies and Nikita Kuzmin.

It comes after Lauren and her fellow pro-dancer Kai Widdrington announced how fans can continue to see them ‘keep dancing’ in the new year. Devotees of the BBC extravaganza will be aware that Kai and Lauren will be joining the star-studded cast and crew for the Strictly Live tour, but that’s not all.

The pair will sashay back into the ballroom together in a series of weekend events in the new year. Accompanying the post was a message, which read: “DOUBLE ANNOUNCEMENT!

Pro dancer Lauren Oakley has issued a heartbreaking plea online (Image: PA)

“We’re absolutely delighted to share that the dynamic duo Kai Widdrington and Lauren Oakley will be joining us for TWO of our 2026 Donahey’s Dancing With The Stars weekends!

“Get ready for phenomenal dance workshops, dance showcases, and fascinating Q&A sessions where you can dive deep into their incredible careers!”

Fans flocked to the comments section to express their support online, with one user writing: “This would be the best weekend.” Another agreed: “Both my favorites,” while a third gushed: “Very nice, Lauren.”