Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced on October 23 they were leaving the show – just 10 days after a show star was arrested

AN EX-BBC boss has called for Strictly Come Dancing 2026 to be scrapped in a bid to save the show’s reputation.

The dance competition has been at the centre of a string of controversies – from affairs, to bullying to drug usage and two arrests on suspicion of rape. 

An ex-BBC boss has called for Strictly to be scrapped in 2026 in a bid to save the showCredit: PA

Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced in October that they had quit the showCredit: PA

Sam Hodges claimed a rest would ‘allow new energy to return’ to StrictlyCredit: PA
Sam Hodges, who worked as the communications chief at the BBC for more than ten years, insisted the show needs to take a break for a year.

He likened it to the hugely popular Somerset festival Glastonbury – which is taking a break in 2026 for a “fallow year”, but will be returning in 2027.

Sam claimed that a rest would “allow new energy to return” to Strictly.

In a post shared to his LinkedIn, Sam wrote: ‘It’s 20+ years since I launched Strictly Come Dancing as an Assistant Publicist at the BBC.

“A non-priority new show with the working title Pro-Celebrity Come Dancing. No one knew the hit it would become.

“For the first time though, I think it’s time to take a leaf out of Glastonbury’s book and consider a fallow year for 2026.

“This series has clearly been tough on a whole host of fronts, but reputationally its biggest boost might well come from helping people realise what they’d miss, rather than chasing salvation by rushing into immediate contract talks with new producers, presenters, and cast.”

He continued: “Things rarely finish on a high in TV – more often an exhausted final series or a controversy that brings things to a sudden or crashing end.

“Glastonbury’s fallow years increase demand for tickets rather than opening the door to competitors – they allow new energy to return to both the line-up and the land.

“To save the show’s reputation, 2026 might be the year for the BBC and Strictly to do the same.”

But not all fans agreed, with one writing: “I’m not sure I agree, but I do understand the sentiment. I’ve only really come to Strictly in the last few years, and for me it’s simply been a lovely thing to watch. Warm, familiar TV and a chance to properly switch off once a week.

“It sometimes feels like the media want there to be drama around it, when a lot of viewers just want something comforting and joyful. It’s still bringing people together in big numbers — and that feels worth holding on to.”

A second posted: “As an avid fan with a vested interest, I don’t think it needs a break. It’s one of the few live TV shows that’s appointment to view, a rarity in today’s world of binge watching and box sets. Millions of viewers gather to watch on a Saturday night (and on iPlayer in the following days) and despite the initial moans of ‘its full of nobodies’, by the middle of the run, we’ve got to know and care about the newcomers, such as La Voix and George Clarke this season.

“Watching Carlos’s emotional rollercoaster and Karen’s admissions that she misses being part of a team prove that it’s more than just a dancing show.”

The Sun reached out to a Strictly rep for comment.

In November, The Sun revealed that the future of the show was in chaos after a show star was arrested of rape.

Long-standing hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman announced on October 23 they were leaving — ten days after the latest arrest.

The suspect, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was arrested last month in relation to an alleged incident from 2024.

Other recent scandals to beset Strictly include a bullying probe last year into pro Giovanni Pernice.

While Graziano Di Prima left the show after it was revealed he had kicked partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals.

BBC bosses have been auditioning for Claudia and Tess’ replacementsCredit: PA