The BBC has confirmed that Strictly Come Dancing will end premium-rate phone voting for the first time in the show's 21-year history. Viewers will now vote exclusively online via the Strictly website using a BBC account.
The change follows BT's decision to end its premium-rate phone service in 2025. Last year's Eurovision Song Contest was the last BBC programme to use the system. The BBC noted that the majority of votes in the previous series were already cast online, making the transition 'clear and logical'.
The upcoming series, featuring celebrities including Dani Dyer, Vicky Pattison, and Ross King, has faced controversy. Former professional dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima face misconduct allegations, while police investigate claims of cocaine use by two stars. A former contestant has also been arrested on suspicion of rape.
