Key Highlights
- Strictly Come Dancing is facing potential cancellation due to its outdated format and the departure of key presenters.
- The Traitors, a new reality show, has gained popularity overshadowing Strictly’s ratings and fanbase.
- Gavin Billenness from Metro suggests that Strictly may be nearing the end of its run despite its 21-year history.
- Billenness argues that The Traitors’ format offers more drama, tension, and public interest than traditional dance competitions.
The Decline of a Television Institution: Strictly Come Dancing
According to Gavin Billenness from Metro, the long-standing television institution Strictly Come Dancing, which celebrated its 21st year in 2025, is facing a significant crisis. The format of the show has not undergone meaningful changes since 2004, and it is now described as “boring” by industry insiders.
The departure of Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman from Strictly is seen as a harbinger of its potential demise. Billenness points out that while these presenters are leaving, murmurs of disquiet among the judges suggest that the show’s future may be uncertain. He speculates that if a statement from the BBC declaring Daly and Winkleman will not return were to be made in the coming weeks, it would come as no surprise.
The Rise of The Traitors
Despite the potential death of Strictly, another show, The Traitors, has emerged as a significant competitor. This new reality show has garnered attention for its darker and more dramatic format, which includes elements of betrayal, deception, and psychological warfare.
The Traitors is described as a “visceral, addictive, prestige-reality chaos” that offers more tension, memes, and cultural hysteria than the traditional dance competition. Its success is attributed to its unique blend of drama and entertainment, making it a preferred option for viewers seeking something more engaging than Strictly’s predictable format.
The Future of Reality TV
Billenness argues that The Traitors’ rise signifies a broader trend in reality television, where shows are increasingly focusing on drama, deception, and psychological warfare. He suggests that this new format is better suited to the current viewing habits of audiences who crave more intense and unpredictable content.
The success of The Traitors also highlights the potential for other reality TV shows to adapt and innovate in order to stay relevant. While Strictly may continue to exist, it faces significant challenges from newer formats that offer a different kind of entertainment value to its audience.
Industry insiders like Billenness believe that the future of Strictly is uncertain but likely not promising.
The show’s long-standing popularity does not shield it from the realities of changing viewer preferences and the increasing competition in the reality TV landscape. As viewers seek more engaging and dramatic content, shows like The Traitors may continue to grow in prominence, potentially at the expense of traditional formats like Strictly Come Dancing.
