BBC bosses have been accused of treating their ‘loyal’ older viewers with ‘contempt’ after announcing plans to scrap phone-in voting for Strictly Come Dancing, along with a string of hit shows.
On Monday, the channel announced that the decades-old system that allowed viewers to vote through a premium number had become ‘outdated’ and too expensive to run.
BT stopped offering phone services to the BBC earlier this year and the broadcaster insisted the ‘vast majority’ of votes for last year’s Strictly were cast online.
Viewers will now be asked to vote online using a BBC account for shows including Strictly, and BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year.
Last year, the Eurovision Song Contest also scrapped premium telephone voting.
But the move has sparked concerns it could alienate older viewers, with Dennis Reed, director of the campaign group Silver Voices, saying that the change would leave the elderly ‘disenfranchised.’
BBC bosses have been accused of treating ‘loyal’ older viewers with ‘contempt’ after announcing plans to scrap phone-in voting for shows including Strictly Come Dancing
BT stopped offering phone services to the BBC earlier this year and the broadcaster insisted the ‘vast majority’ of votes for last year’s Strictly were cast online
He told The Telegraph: ‘Once again the BBC is showing that it treats its loyal older viewers with contempt. Older people who are not online, but enjoy participating through phone polls, are being disenfranchised.
‘This is a thinly concealed plot to force all viewers online and into iPlayer, in preparation for an early end of terrestrial TV, which the BBC is obsessed with achieving.’
Caroline Abrahams, charity director for Age UK, said: “Being unable to phone in to a BBC vote may seem trivial, but if you’re an older person who has enjoyed participating in this way and you aren’t online, it may feel like another hurtful example of the world moving on and leaving you far behind.’
The move comes in the wake of increased fears that the digital revolution could be isolating for elderly people, as services such as booking medical appointments and paying for a park space are moved online.
In 2023, telecoms companies were also accused of putting the elderly at risk with the rollout of digital landlines.
The rollout has sparked concerns that personal alarms will stop working properly, after a string of ‘serious incidents’ linked to the devices failing during emergencies.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return for its glitzy launch show on September 20, where this year’s lineup are paired up with their professional partners.
This year’s cast includes Love Island’s Dani Dyer, Drag Race UK star La Voix, Olympian Harry Aikines-Aryeetey, EastEnders’ Balvinder Sopal, Lioness Karen Carney, Lorraine Showbiz correspondent Ross King, The Apprentice star Thomas Skinner and influencer Ellie Goldstein.
Last year, the Eurovision Song Contest also scrapped premium telephone voting (the UK’s entry Remember Monday is pictured)
Rugby player Chris Robshaw, Neighbours star Stefan Dennis, YouTuber George Clarke, Doctor Who actress Alex Kingston, Emmerdale’s Lewis Cope, Geordie Shore’s Vicky Pattison and sportsman Jimmy Floyd Hasselbank will also be taking to the ballroom this month.
It comes off the heels of Strictly becoming embroiled in yet another fresh controversy after a male star was arrested on suspicion of rape last month.
The male suspect is reportedly being ‘quizzed by police over allegations involving non-consensual intimate image abuse’.
Sources at the BBC have reportedly insisted the allegations do not involve anyone on this year’s series and said therefore the show will continue as normal.
The broadcaster has already launched an inquiry into the family show amid claims two of its stars had used cocaine.
One of the stars involved in the drugs probe was also suspected of drinking while working on the show after crew smelled alcohol on their breath.
It marks yet another controversial season for the scandal-hit show, just weeks before the 2025 series returns to screen.
Strictly Come Dancing is set to return for its glitzy launch show on September 20, where this year’s lineup are paired up with their professional partners (2024 pros are pictured)
During the last series, Wynne Evans, 53, was accused of inappropriate behaviour and forced to apologise for making an unacceptable sexual remark on stage at a press event. He denied it was a sexual remark but was later sacked by the BBC.
The 2023 series saw Amanda Abbington, 51, quit early, later accusing dancing partner Giovanni Pernice, 34, of being ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’.
Whilst he was cleared of the ‘overwhelming majority’ of allegations, a probe did uphold some of her complaints of verbal bullying and harassment.
The same year, former Love Island contestant Zara McDermott, 28, was left ‘incredibly distressed’ following her experience in the training room with Graziano Di Prima, 31, who admitted to kicking the documentary maker, resulting in his axing.
STRICTLY LINEUP 2025
Harry Aikines-Aryeetey
Age: 36
Profession: Olympic Sprinter and Gladiator
Harry says: ‘I’ll be bringing tons of energy to light up the dance floor. Let’s hope I’m as quick picking up the routines as I am on the track.’
Alex Kingston
Age: 62
Profession: Doctor Who actress
The actress teases: ‘My hips don’t lie.’
Balvinder Sopal
Age: 46
Profession: EastEnders actress
Balvinder says: ‘I’m far too excited to put into words how I feel but I’m incredibly excited at the prospect of dancing across the ballroom.’
La Voix
Age: 45
Profession: Drag performer
She says: ‘Strictly is a national institution and I can’t wait to get started. All that’s left to say is: good luck to my partner! Here’s hoping they can help me go from La Voix into La Danse.’
Thomas Skinner
Age: 34
Profession: Reality star and entrepreneur
He says: ‘Bring on the sequins, sambas and most importantly, the BOSH to the ballroom!’
Vicky Pattison
Age: 37
Profession: Reality TV star
She says: ‘I’m absolutely buzzing to be part of this year’s Strictly Come Dancing line-up… but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t terrified.’
Karen Carney
Age: 38
Profession: Football pundit
She says: ‘I’m such a huge fan of the show and I can’t believe I’m finally getting the chance to take part.’
Dani Dyer
Age: 29
Profession: Reality star, 2018 Love Island winner
Dani says: ‘Getting the opportunity to be on Strictly is the second most amazing thing I’ve done this year! feel very very blessed and cannot wait to get my dancing shoes on.’
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink
Age: 53
Profession: Former Chelsea and Netherlands striker and ex-England coach.
He says: ‘Swapping the pitch for the ballroom is certainly not something I’ve done before but I’m looking forward to tackling a fun challenge! Bring on a new type of footwork, with hopefully no own goals.’
Ellie Goldstein
Age: 23
Profession: Model, influencer and disability ambassador
She says: ‘It’s a show I’ve loved watching for so long, and the chance to now be part of it feels like a dream’.
Chris Robshaw
Age: 39
Profession: Rugby player
He says: ‘This is about as far out of my comfort zone as it gets! I’m hoping to take my dad-dancing to a whole new level, and my mum can’t wait to drag me along to her Zumba class’.
Stefan Dennis
Age: 66
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘Looking forward to the sparkle and reaching for the sky.’
Ross King
Age: 63
Profession: Showbiz correspondent
He says: ‘I can’t wait to learn from the best, meet my fellow contestants, and, most importantly… try not to step on too many toes!’
Lewis Cope
Age: 30
Profession: Actor
He says: ‘I’m so excited to be swapping the Dales for the dance floor and joining this year’s Strictly Come Dancing.’
