Former Olympic boxer Anthony Ogogo, who appeared on Strictly in 2015, told Sky News that the contestants are part of a “bowl full of… emotions” and that even “strong-willed” people like him could “crack under that pressure”.
Tuesday, July 23, 2024 5:12 PM, UK
A former Strictly Come Dancing contestant has recalled a “frustrating” experience on the show, likening it to being in a “pressure cooker”.
Olympic boxer-turned-wrestler Anthony Ogogo told Sky News that competitors are part of a “bowl full of… emotions” and that even “strong-willed” people like him could “crack under that pressure”.
Ogogo added that despite a shoulder injury, he was encouraged to take part in the BBC show, but was subsequently advised by production staff to pull out when the injury became “serious”.
But the support from his dance partner Oti Mabuse was “brilliant” and nothing but positive, and despite the scandal that had now plagued the show, he would take part again.
In 2015, he joined the much-loved BBC show in season 13, three years after winning a bronze medal at the 2012 Olympics.
He was recovering from a shoulder injury at the time and was waiting to be able to fight again, so he decided to take part in the show.
Ogogo described parts of the eventual experience that led to his eviction in week three as “frustrating.”
He said: “It’s a funny experience, the Strictly experience. They put me on the show when I was injured. I’d just had shoulder surgery.
“It was weird. They really encouraged me to do it, said my shoulder wouldn’t be a problem, and then when I started the show, my shoulder was the reason I quit.
“When I did it, they said ‘oh, your shoulder is bad, maybe it’s time to go home’, that’s the impression I got. It was frustrating. It could have been great.”
He said he disagreed with Strictly over the scars on his shoulder, which he suffered after the operation.
Ogogo said: “I wanted the scar to show how much pain I was in, but they covered it up and one day they said, ‘We don’t want to see it on TV.
“I said, ‘I want the public to know how much pain I’m going through,’ and they said something like, ‘Cover the scars.’ They made it clear that I had to cover the scars.”
The popular show is embroiled in controversy the past few weeks as two male dancers have left the show amid allegations of misconduct – including an accusation that a dancer kicked his celebrity partner.
Today, BBC Director General Tim Davie addressed the controversy surrounding the hit show at a press conference following the publication of the broadcaster’s annual report. He said the organisation “will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour” and that “the line must never be crossed”.
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The broadcaster has announced that the introduce production staff to supervise all rehearsals also from the next series.
Ogogo supported the introduction of chaperones, saying he did not understand why such “huge allegations” were needed before “the idea was discussed”.
Despite his experiences and the recent scandal, Ogogo said he would not hesitate to participate in the show again.
He said his experiences with his dance partner Mabuse had been nothing but positive and he praised those who had shared their views.
He described Strictly as a ‘pressure cooker’, adding: ‘I’m not saying you lose your free will, but you are very aware that you are in a massive bowl of pressure and emotions.
“It’s live television, the BBC… you really want to get it right.
“I’m a strong-willed person, but even I succumbed to that pressure.”
The BBC has been contacted for comment.