Strictly’s professional dancers want social media stars BANNED from the show👀

They feel the stars have an unfair advantage

Joe Sugg and Dianne Buswell © Getty Images

by Georgie Holland |
Updated on

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.”

Alfie Deyes, Zoe Sugg, Joe Sugg / Zoella Youtube
©Alfie Deyes, Zoe Sugg, Joe Sugg © Zoella Youtube

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...

Gallery

Strictly Come Dancing 2019 professionals slider

AJ Pritchard1 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

AJ Pritchard

In 2018 AJ was partnered with Lauren Steadman.

Aljau017e u0160korjanec2 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Aljaž Škorjanec

In 2018 Aljaž was partnered with Kate Silverton.

Amy Dowden3 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Amy Dowden

In 2018 Amy was partnered with Danny John-Jules.

Anton Du Beke4 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Anton Du Beke

In 2018 Anton was partnered with Susannah Constantine.

Dianne Buswell5 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Dianne Buswell

In 2018 Dianne was partnered with Joe Suggs, who she later confirmed she was dating.

Giovanni Pernice6 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Giovanni Pernice

In 2018 Giovanni was partnered with singer Faye Tozer.

Gorka Marquez7 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Gorka Marquez

In 2018 Gorka was partnered with Katie Piper.

Graziano Di Prima8 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Graziano Di Prima

In 2018 Graziano was partnered with Vick Hope.

Janette Manrara9 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Janette Manrara

In 2018 Janette was partnered with This Morning's Dr Ranj.

Johannes Radebe10 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Johannes Radebe

In 2018 Johannes was a reserve dancer, giving amazing performances in the group routines.

Karen Clifton11 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Karen Clifton

In 2018 Karen was partnered with Casualty actor Charles Venn.

Katya Jones12 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Katya Jones

In 2018 Katya was partnered with comedian Seann Walsh, with major drama surrounding the pair after they were spotted kissing.

Kevin Clifton13 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Kevin Clifton

In 2018 Kevin won the show with Stacey Dooley.

Luba Mushtuk14 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Luba Mushtuk

In 2018 Luba was a reserve dancer and choreographer.

Nadiya Bychkova15 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Nadiya Bychkova

In 2018 Nadiya was partnered with Lee Ryan.

Neil Jones16 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Neil Jones

In 2018 Neil was a reserve dancer and choreographer.

Oti Mabuse17 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Oti Mabuse

In 2018 Oti was partnered with Graeme Swann.

Nancy Xu18 of 18
CREDIT: u00a9 BBC Pictures

Nancy Xu

Chinese dancer Nancy Xu is new to the 2019 series.

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