Strictly Come Dancing cuts live musicians

The Musicians’ Union (MU) is calling on BBC reality show Strictly Come Dancing to reinstate its live band after the production halved the number of musicians performing live on its broadcasts.

The band was downsized due to social-distancing measures put in place during the Covid pandemic and, following negotiations between the MU and the BBC, the production has refused to reinstate the band across the whole of the upcoming season of Strictly Come Dancing, instead offering to retain the full band for four episodes rather than a previous total of 14. The MU argues that not only is the BBC causing a loss of earnings to musicians who played live on the show for the 16 years prior to the pandemic, it is also denying audiences the opportunity to enjoy fully live music.

Geoff Ellerby, the MU’s national organizer for recording and broadcasting, said: ‘We worked hard with broadcasters and studios in mitigating the risks to get musicians working under new restrictions, and although we were agreed that following these temporary measures, we would work towards normality as soon as possible, Strictly is refusing to re-instate the full live band. Given it remains the BBC's flagship entertainment show, and the very nature of show has always been based on music and dance, this is a deeply disappointing move, and one we can’t accept.’

Live singers still appear on the live show, but the number of live musicians has been limited to a seven-strong rhythm section only. Performances from the rest of the band are pre-recorded in studio at one three-hour session, then played as a backing track.

Ellerby added: ‘Due to clever camera work by the production team, it may not have been obvious to viewers until now that the on-screen band has been reduced. We hope fans of the show will join our call to restore the full band of musicians to the production.’

The Union is calling on Strictly fans to show support by sharing why they love the show’s live band on social media using the hashtag #KeepStrictlyLive.

In a quote shared with the MU, an anonymous member of BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing band said: ‘I grew up seeing live bands and orchestras as part on BBC TV and this played a huge role in me being aware that a career as a professional musician could actually exist. Actually, seeing musicians instead of just hearing them lit a spark in me that would have otherwise been totally denied given my background.’