Strictly's professional dancers want social media stars banned from the show
They feel the stars have an unfair advantage
Author: Georgie HollandPublished 27th Mar 2019 Last updated 28th Mar 2019
Strictly Come Dancing’s professional dancers have spoken out about their views on social media stars entering the competition, following Youtube star Joe Sugg's success in 2018.
Speaking on the matter, the Strictly professionals have said that these celebrities enter the competition with the huge advantage of already having a large following on social media - something that comes in handy when it comes to the public vote!
2018 runner-up Joe Sugg's Youtube channel boasts an impressive 8.1 million followers. Many feel that this played a crucial role in Joe's success, with a source saying, "he wasn’t the best dancer, so his place on the show was purely based on his fanbase."
The source continued, "Joe’s huge popularity caused some tension last year after he was being voted to stay in the show each week. Now the pros are going to unite and ask for no social media personalities for a year, to give everyone a level playing field.”
Joe, who has a separate vlogging channel that has 3.7 million followers, is also the brother of one of England's biggest Youtube stars Zoella. His sister has 11 million subscribers and also won the Teen Choice Award for Choice Web Star: Fashion/Beauty two years in a row. Zoella's partner Alfie Deyes also has a large following, having a total of nine million followers across two accounts. Some critics feel this may have added to Joe's 'advantage'.
Swipe through the confirmed pro dancers for 2019...
AJ Pritchard
In 2018 AJ was partnered with Lauren Steadman.
Strictly's professional dancers want social media stars banned from the show
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Nancy Xu
Chinese dancer Nancy Xu is new to the 2019 series.
AJ Pritchard
In 2018 AJ was partnered with Lauren Steadman.
Aljaž Škorjanec
In 2018 Aljaž was partnered with Kate Silverton.
Amy Dowden
In 2018 Amy was partnered with Danny John-Jules.
Anton Du Beke
In 2018 Anton was partnered with Susannah Constantine.
Dianne Buswell
In 2018 Dianne was partnered with Joe Suggs, who she later confirmed she was dating.
Giovanni Pernice
In 2018 Giovanni was partnered with singer Faye Tozer.
Gorka Marquez
In 2018 Gorka was partnered with Katie Piper.
Graziano Di Prima
In 2018 Graziano was partnered with Vick Hope.
Janette Manrara
In 2018 Janette was partnered with This Morning's Dr Ranj.
Johannes Radebe
In 2018 Johannes was a reserve dancer, giving amazing performances in the group routines.
Karen Clifton
In 2018 Karen was partnered with Casualty actor Charles Venn.
Katya Jones
In 2018 Katya was partnered with comedian Seann Walsh, with major drama surrounding the pair after they were spotted kissing.
Kevin Clifton
In 2018 Kevin won the show with Stacey Dooley.
Luba Mushtuk
In 2018 Luba was a reserve dancer and choreographer.
Nadiya Bychkova
In 2018 Nadiya was partnered with Lee Ryan.
Neil Jones
In 2018 Neil was a reserve dancer and choreographer.
Oti Mabuse
In 2018 Oti was partnered with Graeme Swann.
Nancy Xu
Chinese dancer Nancy Xu is new to the 2019 series.
AJ Pritchard
In 2018 AJ was partnered with Lauren Steadman.
Aljaž Škorjanec
In 2018 Aljaž was partnered with Kate Silverton.
Amy Dowden
In 2018 Amy was partnered with Danny John-Jules.
Anton Du Beke
In 2018 Anton was partnered with Susannah Constantine.
Dianne Buswell
In 2018 Dianne was partnered with Joe Suggs, who she later confirmed she was dating.
Giovanni Pernice
In 2018 Giovanni was partnered with singer Faye Tozer.
Gorka Marquez
In 2018 Gorka was partnered with Katie Piper.
Graziano Di Prima
In 2018 Graziano was partnered with Vick Hope.
Janette Manrara
In 2018 Janette was partnered with This Morning's Dr Ranj.
Johannes Radebe
In 2018 Johannes was a reserve dancer, giving amazing performances in the group routines.
Karen Clifton
In 2018 Karen was partnered with Casualty actor Charles Venn.
Katya Jones
In 2018 Katya was partnered with comedian Seann Walsh, with major drama surrounding the pair after they were spotted kissing.
Kevin Clifton
In 2018 Kevin won the show with Stacey Dooley.
Luba Mushtuk
In 2018 Luba was a reserve dancer and choreographer.
Nadiya Bychkova
In 2018 Nadiya was partnered with Lee Ryan.
Neil Jones
In 2018 Neil was a reserve dancer and choreographer.
Oti Mabuse
In 2018 Oti was partnered with Graeme Swann.
Nancy Xu
Chinese dancer Nancy Xu is new to the 2019 series.
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