BBC Strictly slammed by former contestant as comedian shares joke she refused to make

Olivia Gantzer
Mon, 20 Apr 2026 13:11:17 +0000

Comedian Katy Brand has revealed she refused to deliver scripted jokes handed to her by a Strictly Come Dancing producer during her appearance on the 2012 Christmas Special.

The 47-year-old shared the behind-the-scenes details on Instagram, explaining that she was asked to say specific lines during her pre-dance interview segment.

"When I did Strictly Come Dancing in 2012, I was asked by the producer filming the VT insert interview package to say, 'I live to make people laugh,' and also, 'When I heard I was doing a Viennese Waltz, I was confused because I thought it was a biscuit,'" Ms Brand wrote.

She added: "And friends, I flatly refused to say either of those things on camera."

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A post shared by Katy Brand (@katybrandofficial)

Ms Brand encouraged her followers to take inspiration from her stance, noting that everyone has the power to manage their own public image.

The comedian also disclosed that Dame Sheila Hancock had a similar encounter with the same producer during the festive special.

According to Ms Brand, the 93-year-old actress was prompted to declare that appearing on Strictly was "the role I have been dreaming of all my life."

The veteran performer's response was characteristically sharp: "Darling, I've played Lady Macbeth."

Ms Brand captioned her post: "I hope she doesn't mind me telling you that. I adored her."

Ms Brand partnered with professional dancer Anton Du Beke for the Christmas Special, where the pair performed a Viennese Waltz to It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year.

Their routine placed them second from bottom on the leaderboard that evening.

Since her Strictly appearance, Ms Brand has continued to build her career across multiple entertainment fields.

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Most recently, she penned the screenplay for Netflix's adaptation of The Thursday Murder Club, the bestselling novel by Richard Osman.

Her Instagram post criticising the BBC show's production practices comes as the broadcaster faces a significant transition period for the long-running dance competition.

The programme has undergone substantial changes following the departure of its established presenting duo at the conclusion of last year's series.

Nine celebrities are currently being put through their paces in secret auditions to find replacements for Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who stepped down following the 2025 series.

The contenders include Rylan Clark, Emma Willis, Tom Allen, Angela Scanlon, Alex Jones, Alison Hammond, Bradley Walsh, La Voix, and Zoe Ball.

BBC executives have summoned the shortlisted stars to a confidential London venue this week, where they will participate in full dress rehearsals complete with a judging panel and live band.

Sources suggest producers are prioritising chemistry and humour, with various presenting combinations under consideration.

The broadcaster is reportedly open to maintaining a female duo or potentially introducing a third host to refresh the format.