BBC Strictly Come Dancing pro says ‘I don’t get it’ as he calls for huge change

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole has called for a huge change to the BBC show

Former Strictly Come Dancing professional Brendan Cole said “I don’t get it” as he called for a huge change.

The popular BBC dance contest made its return to our screens this past weekend, introducing fifteen new celebrities who were ready to strut their stuff on the dance floor.

This year’s line-up includes I’m a Celebrity champion Vicky Pattison, ex-rugby star Chris Robshaw, Lorraine host Ross King, and Neighbours icon Stefan Dennis.

Unfortunately, Love Island’s Dani Dyer had to withdraw from the series on Tuesday (23rd September) due to an ankle fracture sustained during rehearsals.

As the couples gear up for their first solo performances this weekend, one former pro has shared his thoughts on what he’d change about the show, reports Wales Online.

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In a chat with Sky Vegas, Brendan Cole suggested that the scoring system needs a revamp to level the playing field for those celebs with less dancing background.

Brendan was a familiar face on Strictly as a professional dancer from 2004 to 2017, partnering with the likes of Natasha Kaplinsky, Sophie Ellis Bextor, Lisa Snowdon, and Kelly Brook.

Discussing the need for a scoring overhaul, he said: “The thing is, if you’re a great dancer, you’re always going to be at the top of the leaderboard. For the first five or six weeks, you’re safe regardless of audience votes, simply because of your ability to dance. That’s why the leaderboard can feel unfair.

“I’d love to see some kind of system that levels it out. Say one contestant starts at level one and another starts at level eight – build that into the scoring.

“Maybe take the judges’ mark and multiply it by a performer’s rating, to give an overall score. Something like that would make it a fairer playing field, because right now, someone with dance experience is always going to have an advantage.

“That’s also why the show works, though – it isn’t just about dancing. It’s about personality.”

Brendan also disclosed that he would prefer to be matched with an experienced professional if he joined Strictly.

“I wouldn’t want a brand-new pro – I’d want someone who knows what they’re doing,” he explained.

This series has welcomed two fresh professionals to the line-up. US-born Alexis Warr gained recognition after triumphing on American dance competition So You Think You Can Dance in 2022, and has previously featured as a guest professional on Dancing With The Stars.

Meanwhile, Australian-born Julian Caillon previously showcased his skills as a professional dancer across three series of Australia’s Dancing With The Stars, and has travelled internationally with acclaimed dance production Burn The Floor.

In their debut Strictly series, Alexis has been paired with YouTuber George Clarke, whilst Julian has teamed up with EastEnders actress Balvinder Sopal.

Brendan concluded: “What I don’t get is why [the producers] don’t find people from right here in the UK. There are plenty of phenomenal dancers living here that they don’t seem to approach. I’ll never understand that. Then again, I can’t talk – I’m a foreigner myself!”

Strictly Come Dancing is available to stream on BBC iPlayer