Bethany Antonia has defended the BBC's decision to blur a pro-trans slogan on her T-shirt during Strictly Come Dancing, saying the broadcaster "had to do what they had to do" to keep things fair.
The House of the Dragon actress, 28, spoke out after the BBC faced backlash for editing out the words "Protect the Dolls" from a top she wore during week three rehearsal footage. Antonia, who is paired with professional dancer Nancy Xu, 35, admitted she chose the T-shirt without fully considering its commercial and charitable connections.
Antonia's explanation
She said: "I think I made a choice to wear that T-shirt without considering the fact that it was linked to a charity, and that it was linked to what some people consider a brand. The BBC had to do what they had to do when they edited it out, to keep it fair for everybody."
However, she told Digital Spy she was "thrilled to see so much support for the trans community" and added: "I stand with my trans family in every way, and they knew what I was thinking when I wore that T-shirt. And that's all that matters."
Hopes for trans representation
In the same interview, Antonia said she would like to see a trans contestant on Strictly in the future, calling it "empowering for the whole community". She added: "The show is sort of learning with every year, every new contestant; it's learning as it goes. I think it's only a matter of years before we see a trans contestant."
During the October 10 episode, a clip showed Antonia wearing a top with "PROTECT THE DOLLS" written on it during rehearsals. Later in the show, the words were removed to make the T-shirt appear plain white.
Origin of the slogan
The phrase "Protect The Dolls" is a pro-trans slogan first written on a top by fashion designer Conner Ives in 2025. Since then, it has been worn by celebrities and has helped raise hundreds of thousands for charities. The term traces back to the 1980s Black and Latina underground ballroom scene in New York City, where "doll" was used as a term of solidarity for transgender women.
Many viewers criticised the BBC on social media, accusing the broadcaster of censorship. A BBC spokesperson responded: "As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question."
That did not stop online criticism, with one viewer saying: "Ironically the phrase originated in the ballroom scene decades ago. It's genuinely pathetic that the BBC refuses to allow anything remotely pro-trans to air. Love Bethany even more though." Another fumed: "The decision to digitally scrub the 'Protect the Dolls' slogan from Bethany Antonia's T-shirt during Strictly Come Dancing is a shameful and cowardly act of censorship."
