After statistics revealed that almost half the winners of Strictly come Dancing were BBC, the BBC bosses have reacted to the claims.
The Sun reports that out of all the winners of the BBC series – which began in 2004 – 18 of them, or 44 per cent, have been celebrities who are on the channel’s books.
A representative from the BBC denied that BBC celebrities are more likely than others to make it to the final. He said that the public decides who wins.
Fix row: Strictly Come Dancing bosses have hit back at ‘fix’ and favouritism claims after statistics showed that nearly half of all the show’s winners were from the BBC (Stacey Dooley and Kevin Clifton winning in 2018)
It comes just days after Adam Peaty’s mother slammed Strictly and said she is ‘not buying the public vote’ after her son was eliminated.
Strictly, which has been running for 17 years, saw many stars from mainstream music lift the prized glitterball trophy. These include Joe McFadden and Ore Oduba.
Jill Halfpenny and Kara Tointon, EastEnders actors, were also victorious.
Statistics: The Sun reports that out of all the winners of the BBC series – which began in 2004 – 18 of them, or 44 per cent, have been celebrities who are on the channel’s books (Ore Oduba and Joanne Clifton winning in 2016)
Chris Hollins, Natasha Kaplinsky and Natasha Kaplinsky are two other winners associated with the BBC.
The publication reports that out of the 264 contestants in Strictly’s history, 102 of them – 39 per cent – have worked for the broadcaster.
MailOnline was informed by a representative from Strictly that the report had been stopped. He stated, however, that these statistics were misleading. Strictly’s winner is determined by public votes.
It comes as Adam Peaty’s mother has hit out at Strictly Come Dancing, claiming the show is a ‘total fix’ and she doesn’t buy the public vote.
Caroline Peaty posted the comments on Twitter after Katya Jones, her professional dance partner, was eliminated from Sunday’s show.
Winners: EastEnders actresses Kara Tointon and Jill Halfpenny have also emerged victorious
Adam took to Twitter to vent at “the people trying to bring us down” while on-air and encouraged them to do better.
After the dance-off, the judges decided to send the Olympic swimmer home.
Caroline posted: After the elimination of their partnership, Katya and Caroline, a tweet said that Katya had taught my son to dance. Absolute fix, and I don’t buy the public vote.
Her disappointment at Adam’s placement in the bottom two was not shared by her, who wrote: “What a farce! Tilly and @Adam_peaty don’t deserve to be part of the dance off!”
Caroline received a reply from a fan saying that “someone had to get there” and Adam was being done a disservice for hitting out at her.
Not happy: Adam Peaty’s mother (pictured second from left) hit out at Strictly Come Dancing, claiming the show is a ‘total fix’ and she doesn’t buy the public vote
Sent home: Caroline Peaty took to Twitter and made the comments after her son and his professional dance partner Katya Jones were eliminated on Sunday
They wrote: ‘This isn’t the Olympics, it’s an entertainment show where people vote based on what they like. It was necessary to travel.
Adam has done so much and been a great person. You’re doing him a great disservice by calling it a farce and knocking the remaining contestants.’
Caroline responded: “Everyone has the right to their opinion. I watched the show for the very first time, and I can see that the judges are inconsistent or unfair. Not just Adam! Just so you all know, I am kind.
MailOnline reached out to Strictly Come Dancing representatives, but they declined to respond.
Adam Peaty representative have been reached out for comment.
Caroline tweets: “What an amazing partnership! Katya, you have taught me to dance. Total fix, and I don’t buy the public vote.
Reaction: One fan replied to Caroline to say that ‘someone had to go’ and she was doing Adam a ‘disservice’ by hitting out at the show