So is all that flesh Strictly necessary? Stars told to cover up as judge Len Goodman calls show 'celebrity job centre'
Strictly Come Dancing has always been known for its garish and revealing costumes.
But even by those standards, it seems the BBC has taken things too far for some viewers.
Hundreds have complained online about the plunging necklines and exposed flesh shown by this year’s contestants, including One Show presenter Alex Jones and Waterloo Road actress Chelsee Healey, saying it is not appropriate for family viewing.
Nice to see you? Dancer Ola Jordan in a revealing sparkly blue dress
Toning it down: Alex Jones and her partner James Jordan were asked by BBC bosses to cut out the raunch from the their pre-watershed Strictly Come Dancing routune
And it seems some contestants may have other reasons for seeking so much exposure – head judge Len Goodman has admitted that many only sign up in a desperate effort to boost their flagging careers.
Mr Goodman, 67, who appears as a judge
on both the British and American versions, said: ‘It’s a bit like a
celebrity jobcentre. They don’t really do it because of the actual
dancing, but work does come your way from appearing on it.’
In an interview in Radio Times with one of last year’s contestants, former Tory MP Ann Widdecombe, Mr Goodman added: ‘You are doing panto this year, aren’t you? That would never have come about if you hadn’t done Strictly.’
His comments came as viewers hit out at the female contestants’ costumes – and they are not the only ones said to be showing off a little too much.
No wiggling allowed: Kristina Rihanoff had planned some sexy gyrations during her routine with Jason Donovan- but they were cut from the final dance
Professional dancers Ola Jordan, 28, and Kristina Rihanoff, 34, shocked viewers with their risque ensembles for the cha-cha-cha, while Australian Natalie Lowe, 32, wore a dangerously low-cut gown for the waltz.
Things are not helped by a new camera, which focuses on the de- colletages of contestants as they descend or mount the set’s stairs.
Miss Healey, 23, left many viewers blushing with a two-piece turquoise costume that left little to the imagination.
Family man: Audley Harrison's wife asked him and his partner Natalie Lowe to tone down their routine - which they were more than happy to do
One viewer wrote on a Strictly BBC online forum: ‘Cannot believe the producers have positioned a camera on the stairs. The jiggling of flesh in low necklines is not what I want to watch while I eat dinner with my son.’
On social networking site Twitter, viewer Andrew Weekes wrote: ‘Alex Jones, looks like her cleavage is trying to break out.’
Peter Lowe added: ‘Alex Jones was
told, “Well done, the pair of you” by Sir Bruce. He noticed her cleavage
as well then!’ Many viewers said the show had ‘sexed-up’ its format to
try to win viewers from ITV’s The X Factor. But yesterday it was
revealed that ratings have dropped by more than a million on last
year’s opening live shows.
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