Dame Joan Collins shared she is unhappy the way Strictly Come Dancing selects its celebrity contestants and called the series ‘not fair’.
Speaking on Loose Women this Monday (23 September), the former Dynasty star didn’t mince her words as she called for fairness in the selection process, stating “it’s not fair” during the discussion.
Despite never having competed for the coveted Glitterball trophy herself, Dame Joan has often shared her enthusiasm for the hit BBC One dance series.
With the latest series underway, host Ruth Langsford was keen to hear the author’s views, especially in light of the recent performance by Love Island’s Tasha Ghouri, who scored highly with the judges after her dazzling routine to Sabrina Carpenter’s Espresso over the weekend.
Ghouri, who has a background as a professional dancer, has become the centre of a heated debate about whether it’s equitable for those with significant dance experience to be pitted against celebrities who are complete novices. This topic was at the forefront of Ruth’s interview with Joan, as she sought the opinion of the well-known Strictly aficionado on this contentious issue.
Ex-This Morning presenter Ruth Langford asked Collins: “There are other people saying ‘that’s not fair for the amateurs’ you know people who have never even stepped on a dance floor. You watch the show, I know you’re a fan.”, reports the Express.
“Yes I do,” the celebrated figure quickly replied, with Ruth then pressing her by inquiring, “So what do you think? ” Without hesitating, Joan responded: “I don’t think people should be on who have dance experience. I think it’s much more fun to watch people who are total amateurs, you know like the blind guy, he’s amazing.”
Joan elaborated further: “It’s not that I’m negating them, you know everybody has to do their thing but it’s not fair to the other contestants.
“I’ve had dance experience. I started going to dance school when I was three so I would probably be quite good.”
Ruth joked: “There’ll be somebody there at Strictly right now [she pretended to jot down on a notebook] ‘Dame Joan Collins’,” as the panel and audience all fell about the place laughing, believing that the actress will now be on the target list for 2025.