Entertainment · TV & Streaming · 1 hr ago
BBC says Strictly edits out slogans under its standard editorial policy
Bethany Antonia, an actor competing on the BBC show Strictly Come Dancing, wore a T-shirt with the words “Protect the Dolls” during rehearsals.
The slogan is a show of support for transgender women.
In footage shown around Saturday’s programme, the words were blurred or edited out, and an unedited social media video was replaced with an edited version.
Some viewers criticized the BBC, calling the edit censorship.
The BBC said it routinely takes steps to reduce overt branding and slogans on its entertainment shows, regardless of their message.
Antonia is dancing with professional partner Nancy Xu, and theirs is the only same-sex partnership on this season of Strictly.
The show is due to continue on 17 October.
The BBC says it edited out a “Protect the Dolls” slogan on a T-shirt worn by Strictly Come Dancing contestant Bethany Antonia.
The slogan supports transgender women, and viewers criticised the edit as censorship.
The BBC said it routinely reduces the inclusion of overt branding or slogans on its entertainment shows, regardless of their message.
Antonia, known for playing Baela Targaryen in House of the Dragon, performed with professional partner Nancy Xu.
The T-shirt edit was shown in rehearsal footage during the programme’s Saturday broadcast.
- Who
- Bethany Antonia, a Strictly Come Dancing contestant, wore the T-shirt. The BBC edited the slogan from footage.
- What
- The BBC blurred or edited out the “Protect the Dolls” slogan. Viewers criticised the decision as censorship.
- When
- The edit was shown during the Saturday 10 October broadcast. The BBC responded by 12 October.
- Where
- On Strictly Come Dancing, broadcast on BBC One and available on iPlayer.
- Why
- The BBC said it reduces overt branding or slogans on its entertainment shows, regardless of their wording or statement.
Strictly viewers and critics
BBC
Reason for the edit
Strictly viewers and critics
Critics said removing the slogan was censorship of a message supporting transgender women.
BBC
The BBC said it routinely reduces overt branding or slogans, regardless of their wording or statement.
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.
Let it be known the BBC are absolute cowards for this. I can’t believe calling for the safety of trans women deserves censorship in their eyes. I’m disgusted and you should be to,
Saturday’s Strictly Come Dancing episode showed rehearsal footage of Antonia wearing the T-shirt, with the slogan edited out in some shots.
An unedited social video was deleted and an edited version was uploaded in its place, according to Digital Spy.
The BBC had responded, saying it reduces overt branding or slogans on its entertainment shows regardless of their wording.
- Contestant
- Bethany Antonia
- Dance partner
- Nancy Xu
- Programme
- Strictly Come Dancing
- T-shirt slogan
- Protect the Dolls
- BBC’s stated approach
- Reduce overt branding or slogans, regardless of wording or statement
Sources
BBC Blurs Out ‘House Of The Dragon’ Star’s Trans Rights T-Shirt On ‘Strictly Come Dancing’
BBC responds to “trans rights censorship” accusations over ‘House Of The Dragon’ star’s ‘Protect The Dolls’ t-shirt
The BBC responds to latest Strictly Come Dancing controversy
BBC responds after censoring Strictly star’s t-shirt with pro-trans ‘Protect The Dolls’ slogan
BBC responds after Strictly edits out Bethany Antonia's "Protect the Dolls' T-shirt from broadcast
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