The relief when Bruce Forsyth said he wasn’t going to do any more Strictly Come Dancing was huge. Then he threatened to come back as a guest; but maybe the producers will decide that he should stay gone. Inevitably there is a great deal of speculation about who should replace him, and it’s all based on the assumption that another “star”, a big-name presenter, is needed. Graham Norton has been mentioned frequently. Anton Du Beke was the assumed successor for many, but there is opposition to that.
In the last series, the three shows in which Forsyth was absent were ably presented by Tess Daly and Claudia Winkelman. There were no jokes, the show went smoothly and everybody was happy. Some fans believe that this format should now be permanent, and I would be happy with that. In those countries which have bought the Strictly franchise they haven’t felt the need for a star presenter, just a presenter who lets the dancers have all the limelight. Why can’t the BBC do the same? I suppose it’s asking too much for the producers to break out of the lazy thinking which assumes that a mature man has to be in charge, with a glamorous female assistant. But why not have Tess in the lead with a male second presenter?
Whatever they do, the producers must avoid the mistake which crippled Strictly from its beginning. It must not be the vehicle for another dominating ego on huge pay and a 5-year contract.
I Wish to Complain 