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'.
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Critics also feel that Joe and dancing partner Dianne Buswell's blossoming romance aided in catching the public's attention. The two have since been dating.
Swipe through the confirmed pro dancers for 2019...
Strictly Come Dancing 2019 professionals slider
1 of 18AJ Pritchard
In 2018 AJ was partnered with Lauren Steadman.
2 of 18Aljaž Škorjanec
In 2018 Aljaž was partnered with Kate Silverton.
3 of 18Amy Dowden
In 2018 Amy was partnered with Danny John-Jules.
4 of 18Anton Du Beke
In 2018 Anton was partnered with Susannah Constantine.
5 of 18Dianne Buswell
In 2018 Dianne was partnered with Joe Suggs, who she later confirmed she was dating.
6 of 18Giovanni Pernice
In 2018 Giovanni was partnered with singer Faye Tozer.
7 of 18Gorka Marquez
In 2018 Gorka was partnered with Katie Piper.
8 of 18Graziano Di Prima
In 2018 Graziano was partnered with Vick Hope.
9 of 18Janette Manrara
In 2018 Janette was partnered with This Morning's Dr Ranj.
10 of 18Johannes Radebe
In 2018 Johannes was a reserve dancer, giving amazing performances in the group routines.
11 of 18Karen Clifton
In 2018 Karen was partnered with Casualty actor Charles Venn.
12 of 18Katya Jones
In 2018 Katya was partnered with comedian Seann Walsh, with major drama surrounding the pair after they were spotted kissing.
13 of 18Kevin Clifton
In 2018 Kevin won the show with Stacey Dooley.
14 of 18Luba Mushtuk
In 2018 Luba was a reserve dancer and choreographer.
15 of 18Nadiya Bychkova
In 2018 Nadiya was partnered with Lee Ryan.
16 of 18Neil Jones
In 2018 Neil was a reserve dancer and choreographer.
17 of 18Oti Mabuse
In 2018 Oti was partnered with Graeme Swann.
18 of 18Nancy Xu
Chinese dancer Nancy Xu is new to the 2019 series.
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