Strictly Come Dancing has confirmed a long-running part of the show is coming to an end.
The 22nd series of the BBC contest is underway with a fresh batch of celebrity contestants hitting the dance floor in a bid to walk away with the coveted Glitterball Trophy.
Last Saturday (September 21) saw the likes of TOWIE’s Pete Wicks, returning competitor Amy Dowden, and EastEnders’ Jamie Borthwick strut their stuff for the first time as we were introduced to the cast and their professional partners.
But as the show gets underway, the BBC’s Strictly blog is set to close for the 2024 series alongside other dedicated message boards run by the broadcaster.
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A message on the website explains: “We understand that a community has built up over the years and some of you will find this disappointing. However, in line with changing audience behaviours a decision has been made to direct users to our social channels where there are active communities discussing the show on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.
“The Strictly blog and its comment section will soon be closing in line with other blogs across the BBC, with content no longer being published or updated. This blog will remain open for 24 hours before closing to comments permanently.
“Thank you for your contributions over the years, and we hope that you join us on our social channels.”
Blog users took to the comment section before it closed to express their disappointment over its closing, with many stating it would impact their enjoyment of the long-running show.
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One user wrote: “I donât know whether Iâm more upset or angry that the BBC has decided to close this blog. I really donât think that I will be as invested in the show, although I will still watch it.
“It was great to see the tunes on Tuesday and discuss them. Those who know more about dance than I do were able to say which tunes would work for which dances.
“I loved the banter that we had and the silliness that came out from time to time. I will miss the sparkly knickers and the naughty step and the Strictly parties. It was particularly good for those who had no-one else to discuss it with.
“Shame on you, BBC. We donât all use social media and even if we did I donât think it would replace our blog family.”
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Another added: “So many will be coming here on Friday/Saturday, to find out the tunes and dances ready for Saturday night and discuss accordingly.
“How awful and sad, that these devoted Strictly fans, will now only find a closed blog. I will miss this blog.”
It comes as this year’s launch show saw a dip in ratings, with 5.5 million viewers tuning in for the premiere and a peak of 5.7 million viewers (per The Independent). These figures come from overnight data and don’t include numbers from BBC iPlayer.
Strictly’s 2023 premiere, meanwhile, amassed an audience of 6.2 million viewers, with a peak of 5.7 million viewers.
Strictly Come Dancing will return on Saturday, September 14 on BBC One, while spin-off Strictly: It Takes Two airs on weeknights on BBC Two. Both shows are available to stream on BBC iPlayer.
Interested in talking about Strictly? Visit our dedicated sub-forum
Read more Strictly news on our dedicated homepage
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