Strictly Come Dancing: Male Dancers Benched Due to Lack of Female Contestants

Male-heavy Line-up

A lack of female contestants in the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing has led to some of the most popular male dancers, including fan favourite Kai Widdrington, being benched. Kai, who was partnered with broadcaster Angela Rippon last season, will not be paired with a celebrity this year.

Gender Disparity

This year's Strictly line-up features the fewest female celebrities in the show's history, with just six women compared to nine men. The imbalance has left Kai and other male dancers without celebrity partners.

Challenges and Changes

According to sources, the decision on pairings takes into account factors like height and chemistry tests. Kai's exclusion has left him disappointed, especially as he had a successful run last season. The show's focus on successful pairings comes in the wake of bullying accusations against some professional dancers.

New Measures and Expectations

To address concerns, the BBC has introduced new measures, including chaperones during all sessions and a welfare officer for dancers and celebrities. The pressure is on to ensure strong relationships between celebs and pros this season, with the possibility of changes if pairings don't gel during early training.

Upcoming Season

Celebrities confirmed for the upcoming series include pundit Paul Merson, TV presenter Nick Knowles, TOWIE star Pete Wicks, and Love Island contestant Tasha Ghouri. The official pairings will be revealed in the launch show airing in the autumn.