Strictly Come Dancing has seemingly delivered what frustrated viewers have demanded for years — fewer celebrities with an obvious dancing advantage. But instead of making the competition more exciting, the change has exposed an unexpected problem that could be draining the magic from Britain’s favourite ballroom show.

For years, BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing has faced relentless criticism over its decision to cast celebrities with previous dance experience. Every autumn, viewers scrutinise contestants’ backgrounds, questioning whether performers who have trained in musical theatre or professional choreography deserve to compete against complete beginners.

The argument has become almost as traditional as the glitterball trophy itself.

But the 2026 series has brought an unexpected twist. The familiar controversy surrounding highly experienced contestants has largely faded, not because the programme officially banned them, but because the celebrities expected to dominate have struggled to deliver.

And according to a new critique published by The Independent, the result is a competition missing something surprisingly important: truly spectacular dancing.

THE CONTROVERSY STRICTLY FANS WANTED TO END

Previous seasons have repeatedly divided audiences over so-called “ringers” — celebrities whose performance backgrounds give them a perceived advantage.

In 2023, Layton Williams delivered extraordinary routines but faced criticism over his extensive musical theatre experience.

Alexandra Burke experienced similar scrutiny in 2017, while Amber Davies found herself confronting negative public reactions during the 2025 competition.

These contestants frequently produced some of their respective seasons’ most memorable performances, even as questions about fairness followed them.

Now, however, the 2026 competition appears to be experiencing the opposite problem.

Rather than watching technically accomplished celebrities dominate the leaderboard, audiences are seeing several promising performers struggle to fulfil expectations.

THE STARS WHO WERE SUPPOSED TO DOMINATE

Before the competition began, Emmerdale actor Lawrence Robb, Love Island personality Cach Mercer, singer Delta Goodrem and television dog trainer Graeme Hall were all identified as potential frontrunners.

Each had some connection to dance or performance that suggested they might possess an advantage.

Yet their journeys have been unexpectedly difficult.

Robb, whose partnership with Jowita Przystał was complicated by a considerable height difference, departed after just six weeks.

Hall, despite previous amateur ballroom experience, has struggled to progress beyond a certain technical level.

His emotional Couples’ Choice performance, inspired by the stroke he suffered in 2019, appeared perfectly positioned to become a breakthrough moment.

Instead, the routine received a relatively subdued response from the judges, leaving him second from the bottom of the leaderboard.

Mercer has encountered similar difficulties.

Although his background includes street and Afrobeat dancing, the judges have repeatedly questioned whether his partnership with newcomer Maddie Ingoldsby is developing the necessary ballroom fundamentals.

The potential remains visible, but the anticipated transformation has yet to arrive.

DELTA GOODREM’S INJURY CHANGES EVERYTHING

Perhaps the greatest disappointment concerns Delta Goodrem.

Initially regarded as the strongest dancer of the season, the Australian singer appeared capable of delivering the extraordinary performances that have traditionally defined Strictly.

However, a fractured rib sustained during rehearsals in week four has significantly complicated her progress.

Although her quick footwork remains impressive, concerns about further injury have restricted the ambitious lifts and demanding choreography that might otherwise have elevated her performances.

Goodrem remains a leading contender, but her physical limitations have prevented her from consistently reaching her full potential.

Meanwhile, Tabby Stoecker, Dani Dyer and Lacey Turner have emerged as compelling competitors whose personal development resonates with audiences.

HAS STRICTLY LOST ITS SECRET INGREDIENT?

The irony is difficult to ignore.

For years, audiences complained that experienced dancers made the competition unfair. Yet those same contestants often delivered the breathtaking routines that kept viewers talking long after Saturday night’s broadcast.

Without a consistently outstanding performer setting the standard, the competition risks becoming more evenly matched but less spectacular.

The issue is not necessarily the revamped presenting team or the contestants’ personalities.

It is the absence of those unforgettable performances that make viewers leap from their sofas.

And that leaves Strictly Come Dancing confronting an uncomfortable possibility: the very contestants audiences loved to criticise may have been the ones making the programme impossible to stop watching.