Some Strictly Come Dancing celebrities get secret dance lessons before the series begins, it’s been claimed.
Former winner Chris Hollins – who won the show in 2009 – says the BBC One show has become more competitive over the years.
He revealed that some stars pay for private lessons before the show in order to improve their chances.
“I have been behind-the-scenes and I have caught up with lots of people and I know what’s going on,” he said last week.
“The style of the show has very much changed and it changed after my year,” he explained. “We had a whole lot of people that had never danced before.”
Chris said while talking on BBC Breakfast: “Maybe it didn’t make a spectacular show on Saturday.
“A lot of people now, if you knew that you were going to do Strictly, you’re going to have some lessons.”
His fellow newsreader Naga Munchetty – who took part in 2016’s series – insisted: “We were told we couldn’t!”
But Chris was adamant some had been breaking the rules.
“Whether it’s a little reminder or maybe just a little taster of what’s to come,” he continued. “Most people would say, ‘Well, off course you would’.
“And there are lots of people that have had lots of experience and that happened even before I took part.”
It was Joe McFadden who won Strictly Come Dancing 2017 in Sunday’s final, where viewers had all the power.
Reacting to the news, he said: “ “It feels completely surreal and I’m so in awe of everyone who started all those weeks ago. We’ve all become such a tight unit and I love them all to bits.”
Speaking about his pro partner Katya Jones, Joe added: “This woman is the most amazing woman. Thank you so much for sticking with me and persevering, and being the most amazing artist and dancer and counsellor and slave driver! She’s amazing.”
Meanwhile, it was not announced who finished in second, third and fourth place in the Strictly results.
Unlike ITV shows, the BBC does not release the Strictly Come Dancing voting figures.
Elsewhere, the Strictly final saw a guest musical performance from Ed Sheeran and a big group performance from all the pros and celebrity dancers.
Strictly Come Dancing will return to BBC One in the new year.
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