Strictly Come Dancing star says it's a 'shame' scandals overshadow BBC show

Katie McGlynn thinks 'it's a shame' that so many scandals have overshadowed Strictly Come Dancing in recent years.

The BBC show has been under fire on numerous occasions in recent times and former Coronation Street star Katie, 32, who competed in 2021 alongside Gorka Marqeuz, has now addressed all the 'drama' that tends to go on behind the scenes.

Katie, who was voted off second, told The Mirror: "I loved my time on the show, I genuinely did. I think it was a shame I didn't get the rehearsal time that was needed because I was contracted with another job.

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"Other than that, I had a great time. I had really lovely experience. It's very intense, but I think anybody going into that show has to know it's really intense. It's just a shame with what's happening now with it."

In recent years, fans of the show have been thwarted with numerous scandals, such as Amanda Abbington launching complaints that spearheaded an investigation into the behaviour of her partner Giovanni Pernice. In the end, six of 17 complaints against him were upheld but he has not been on the programme since and instead features in the Italian version.

What's more, stars such as EastEnders' Jamie Borthwick and opera singer Wynne Evans, who was axed from the live tour, have faced accusations regarding their behaviour behind the scenes during their time on the show. Despite everything, Katie has insisted that the only way for her to get through such things in showbusiness is to 'ignore' it all and accept that it all comes as part of the job.

She said: "It's a big thing. It attracts all the drama. When I was on the show I just kind of ignored it, because that's the only thing you can do. That's the business, isn't it? It's kind of a reality entertainment show.

"There has been drama and rumours and I didn't really have experience with it."

This year's lineup includes the likes of Geordie Shore legend Vicky Pattison, Love Island winner Dani Dyer and Neighbours star Stefan Dennis. But the casting of Apprentice star Tom Skinner, who is known for his friendship withJD Vance, caused a stir given his controversial social media activity.

Meanwhile, Katie, who is also known for her roles in Waterloo Road and Hollyoaks, is now gearing up to star in Murder at Midnight, which tours the UK from September and is starring alongside the likes of Max Bowden, Susie Blake and Jason Durr.

Of the pitfalls of touring, she said: "It's always going to be difficult. Obviously you're away from home, you're in a new place every week, so your days off tend to be travel days, depending on the schedule.

"I kind of see it as an adventure. I love exploring new places. If you get to go to places in the UK, you wouldn't have originally have gone to.

"And, you know, you kind of create this camaraderie, this bond with the cast and the crew and everybody that's involved. Because it's like a family on tour, so I'm just feeling very lucky that we all get on!"

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