Strictly Come Dancing legend Ian Waite demands huge change after show hit with scandals

Strictly legend Ian Waite reckons the show is still a winner despite a tricky few years – but it would be more “wonderful” if old performers were brought back for an all-star series.

Allegations of bullying by dancers caused a storm in recent years. And just weeks before the new series starts, the BBC is probing claims of drug taking by two dancers, while the celebrity line-up, including GMB’s Ross King and Apprentice star Thomas Skinner, has raised more than a few eyebrows.

But Ian, who was a show pro for nine years, pairing with athlete Denise Lewis in 2004, and radio host Zoe Ball in 2005, “can’t wait” to watch the likes of drag queen La Voix and model Ellie Goldstein, who has Down’s syndrome. He said: “To finally have a drag queen – La Voix – what a talent. She’ll have some legendary moments.”

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He added: “Strictly is breaking barriers with this gorgeous girl with Down’s syndrome, Ellie. The public will fall in love with her.”

Despite his enthusiasm, Ian says bosses can do more by copying shows like I’m A Celebrity and Love Island and bringing back some of the best performers. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if there was an all-star version,” he said. “It can be in April or May as a series with all the top dogs like me and Zoe and, I don’t know, Brendan and Natasha!?

“But Strictly don’t even bring back pros – apart from Aljaz [Škorjanec]! You don’t find that anywhere else in the world – in America, they come and go, same with Australia. I think it gets to be very tiring and intense. Imagine having a year out then coming back so much fresher. I’m sure a lot of the pros would like to have a break!”

Ian does have one criticism over the current edit of Strictly – the video clips giving a glimpse of the contestants away from the weekend performances. In his day, viewers were given a real look behind the scenes, often seeing awkward moments and even rows. Now, the “VTs” are mainly set-piece skits.

He said: “It was all about the training – people wanted to see the real ups and downs of rehearsals.

“It was real then rather just a fun VT about, I don’t know, going on a rollercoaster.”

Ian, who is about to join fellow former pros James Jordan, Vincent Simone, Brendan Cole and Pasha Kovalev on their The Return of the Legends tour of the UK, also spoke about the “strange” adjustment period he had to go through after leaving the show 16 years ago.

The fan favourite’s exit was as much a shock to him as it was to viewers. “When I got dropped – or, I should say repositioned – I went from the main show to It Takes Two for 10 years and I presented my own slot on there,” he said.

“The first two years felt very strange, and I really missed being part of that process of meeting the celebrities. It’s very intense but never leaves you... it’s an experience which you can’t really replicate anywhere else.”

The Return of the Legends tour runs from September 5 October 15. Tickets at www.legendsofthedancefloor.com.

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