BBC Strictly pro calls out major ‘rule break’ after elimination

0Former Strictly pro James Jordan called out one major “rule break” (Image: Guy Levy/BBC/PA Wire)A former Strictly Come Dancing professional has called out one major "rule break" BBC bosses completely missed when casting the 24th series of the dance competition. Over the years, the reality TV show has come under intense scrutiny for casting stars with a dance background to compete on the show. There have been West End stars, break dancers and stars who grew up learning ballet as a child who have impressed the judges with their impressive moves. But this year, producers welcomed Channel 5 presenter Graeme Hall to the show, who has an extensive background in ballroom and Latin dance.

Now, former Strictly pro James Jordan has called out the BBC bosses for a blatant error as fans demand that the show is "fixed". Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk on behalf of WhichBingo, the trusted guide to Bingo sites, the 48-year-old reflected on their first two performances on the show.

He began: "For me personally, he's kind of what Strictly is about – an older gentleman out there doing traditional Cha Cha Chas, and in my opinion, to quite a high level. Fantastic routine put together by Lauren Oakley, lots of precision.

"And then I realised later, I didn't realise at the time, he has had so much ballroom and Latin dance training. From what I was aware, the rules always were on Strictly Come Dancing that you're not supposed to be trained in ballroom or Latin.

"And when I say he's trained, he's also done competitions at a senior level – you can go online and see how many competitions he's done in both styles," he added. "Now, I loved them; I thought they were brilliant. However, he is trained in ballroom and Latin, which I thought was against the rules."

In an online record shared on Reddit, scores for Graeme's dances are listed dating back to 2013, when he participated in an Over 35s Intermediate CJ Latin competition. The most recent entry is from 2019, where Graeme competed in the Champions of Tomorrow competition for Ballroom.

Last week, the dog trainer appeared on It Takes Two, where he was grilled about his dance experience and whether he considers it an advantage over his other contestants. Ellie put to him: "A lot of people online have been talking about the fact that you have had some sort of some dance experience.

"Do you think that's helping you? Do you think it's something to be considered?" The broadcaster began: "It does, and it doesn't. You're right, as a hobby, I did a bit of ballroom and Latin, and I entered a few competitions.

"The problem with that is, I wasn't very good then, and that was quite a few years ago, and Laren has had to undo all the bad things that I was doing and put it right. So it's kind of a bit up, yeah…" he concluded with an accompanying hand gesture suggesting it was ups and downs.

In week one, Graeme danced a Cha Cha Cha to Elvis Presley's Hound Dog where they were awarded an impressive 24 points out of a possible 40. In the second week, the Dogfather were awarded a staggering score of 31 for their waltz to The Godfather Waltz from The Godfather for Movie Week.

Their high score saw them top the leaderboard, and second overall after the scores from weeks one and two were combined ahead of the first elimination of the series on Sunday (October 4). Judge Motsi Mabuse called it "mesmerising" while Anton Du Beke said: "I think you could become one of the best ballroom dancers we've ever had on Strictly."

Speaking to the couple after their performance, host Johannes Radebe even held back tears while praising their efforts. After his sensational performance, fans bid farewell to Amy Dowden and Chris Appleton. Graeme described his casting on Strictly as a "dream come true" after a stroke left him worried he would never dance again.

Speaking to Bernie Keith on BBC Radio Northampton, Hall said he did not expect to dance again after having a stroke caused by a hole in the heart. "I never got back to dancing, I just thought, 'well that was a bit of fun'… and that was that.

"I put the dance bag in the loft. It's been with me through three house moves," he added. Now that he has made a full recovery, Hall has dusted off his dancing kit and is "loving the experience".