Strictly Come Dancing fans gutted as spin-off is mysteriously axed amid shake-up
STRICTLY Come Dancing fans have been left gutted after a BBC show spin-off was mysteriously axed.
They have taken to social media to quiz the hosts about the weekly sister series, confessing they “really enjoyed it.”
Yet the Strictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast, previously available on BBC Sounds, has been scrapped for the programme’s anniversary year.
It was fronted by YouTuber Joe Sugg, 33 – who competed for the Glitter Ball and is dating professional Dianne Buswell, 35 – and producer Kim Winston.
Yet after fans failed to locate it on the streaming platform, they took to social media to complain.
One ranted: “So where is the #strictly podcast? Dropped because there was nobody listening I bet!!
“Why was there nobody listening?? Oh yes because the #BBC limited it to the awful @BBCSounds app.
“Very sad because it was really enjoyable.”
Another quizzed: “Has anyone found the Strictly podcast this year? Can’t find it on Sounds.”
A third targeted Joe’s social media pages direct and put: “Hey Joe Sugg is the Strictly podcast coming back this year.
They added: “I understand why the Strictly podcast hasn’t gone ahead this year with the cuts and stuff but it would have been nice if the BBC could have at least acknowledged it and thanked Kim and Joe for their hard work over the years recording it!
“I really enjoyed it and it’s a shame!”
On the BBC website it states the podcast will bring fans “all the gossip and glory” with previous episodes from former Strictly series still available to listen to.
The most recent show was published on Christmas Day 2023.
A BBC spokesperson has now spoken out on the podcast’s axing.
They said: “In early 2024, we made the decision to end Strictly Come Dancing: The Official Podcast.
Strictly 2024 pairings
Here's who is matched with who this series...
Chris McCausland and Dianne Buswell
Jamie Borthwick and Michelle Tsiakkas
JB Gill and Amy Dowden MBE
Montell Douglas and Johannes Radebe
Nick Knowles and Luba Mushtuk
Paul Merson and Karen Hauer
Pete Wicks and Jowita Przystał
Punam Krishan and Gorka Márquez
Tasha Ghouri and Aljaž Škorjanec
Tom Dean MBE and Nadiya Bychkova
Toyah Willcox and Neil Jones
Sam Quek MBE and Nikita Kuzmin
Sarah Hadland and Vito Coppola
Shayne Ward and Nancy Xu
Wynne Evans and Katya Jones
“We’re very proud of the last six series and grateful to Joe Sugg, Kim Winston and all the team involved who made it a success.
“Fans of Strictly can still tune in to Off the Telly, our weekly TV podcast.”
The statement added: “Hosted by superfan Joanna Page and former contestant Natalie Cassidy, they’ll share their hot takes on the action from the dancefloor, along with the usual blend of telly recommendations and weekly observations from their households and Off The Telly listeners.”
It comes as the Strictly celeb cast for 2024 prepare to tackle routines to a host of pop songs during week four’s live show on Saturday.