Don't get me wrong, I love Strictly. I love everything about it. The atrocious amounts of glitter and tan, the brilliant (and sometimes quite terrible) dancing, the amazing outfits, Claudia Winkleman, Craig's new beard, what's not to love?
Since I was a little girl, watching Strictly has been an annual ritual. I remember watching it with my family every Saturday night and dancing around the house pretending I was on the ballroom stage. It brought a sprinkle of excitement and joy into my week and continues to do so even at the ripe old age of twenty.
Strictly has always been a symbol of fun and fabulousness, but even the glisten of the mirrorball trophy can't distract from the recent controversy surrounding the show...
To every fan's shock and dismay, it was announced over the summer that two well-loved professionals Graziano and Giovanni would not be returning for the new season due to allegations made by their previous celebrity partners.
Graziano Di Prima was accused of "physical and verbal misconduct" towards his ex-Strictly partner Zara McDermott. Similar accusations were also made about Giovanni Pernice, by his previous dance partner Amanda Abbington. Both professionals were then axed from the show by the BBC.
Strictly has always been a symbol of fun and fabulousness
Di Prima was quick to acknowledge the claims made against him, leaving the show on his own accord. Pernice was more outspoken about his allegations, resulting in a longwinded legal process which has recently concluded, acknowledging some complaints while dismissing some more serious ones.
Strictly has had its fair share of off-screen drama, with past celebrities being accused of cheating on their partners with their professional dancers, these recent allegations cut much deeper, threatening the culture of the show, which has always been about inclusion, honesty and entertainment.
These accusations distracted from the glitz and glamour of Strictly, stripping away the layers of glitter to reveal the slightly darker core beneath. Yet, despite the allegations, the show goes on.
Although I'm delighted that these claims haven't brought the show to a halt, it seems as though the recent controversies have divided some Strictly fans, causing some to believe that this year could be the show's final waltz.
These recent accusations have tested the integrity of some of the professional dancers, and even the show's longstanding reputation, which has always been synonymous with fun and entertainment. Can Strictly ever truly return to its glittering glory, or will it be forever tainted?
As a Strictly fan and an avid watcher of the show, I hope I'll be able to watch it for many more years to come, and I still hold out hope that I could one day be a contestant myself. However, I don't think that allegations of verbal or physical, no matter how exaggerated they turn out to be, should be taken lightly or brushed under a highly-bedazzled carpet.
After all, it's the joy and authenticity of Strictly that keeps the show alive. Let’s hope they can keep dancing, without tripping over their own feet.