Strictly Misses Out on BAFTA TV Nomination: What This Means for the Beloved BBC Show

In a surprising turn of events, Strictly Come Dancing has not secured a BAFTA TV nomination this year, a setback for the show following recent cast changes.

For the first time in eight years, the popular BBC dance show has been overlooked by the prestigious BAFTA Television Awards.

Despite being a regular contender in the Entertainment Programme category since 2019 and clinching a victory in 2024, Strictly has not made the cut this year.

The show also missed out on a nomination for the Memorable Moment award, an accolade it has won twice in past years.

This unexpected exclusion comes in the wake of major changes, including the departure of beloved hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman amid significant cast reshuffles.

An industry insider said: ‘This is a spectacular turn of events for Strictly which was flying high at the Baftas just two years ago, as the show was also celebrating its 20th birthday.

Strictly Come Dancing has been dealt a huge blow as the show failed to land a BAFTA TV nomination, following the brutal cast axings

For the first time in eight years, the BBC programme has been snubbed by the BAFTA Television Awards (Dianne Buswell accepting a TV BAFTA in 2025)

‘But since then it’s become mired in scandal and now, of course, two of its greatest assets – Tess and Claudia – are leaving and it feels like there’s less to celebrate about the show’, the told The Sun.

Daily Mail has contacted Strictly Come Dancing for comment. 

Fans have been left stunned in recent weeks as favourites Karen Hauer, 43, Nadiya Bychkova, 36, Michelle, 30, Luba Mushtuk, 36, and Gorka Marquez, 35, have all been given the boot.

Sources claimed on Monday that bosses have chosen to keep pros with a bigger online following in a desperate bid to draw in younger viewers. 

Meanwhile Fleur East and Janette Manrara have also reportedly been axed from Strictly Come Dancing’s spin-off It Takes Two. 

Adolescence has dominated the BAFTA Television Awards shortlist – receiving a mammoth eleven nominations including Limited Drama and Leading Actor, including the Craft Awards. 

The Netflix drama, which made its debut on the streaming site back in March last year, looks to be taking over awards season AGAIN, having already been awarded nine Primetime Emmy Awards, four Golden Globes, and a Critics Choice Award.

Now, it will have eleven chances to scoop more gongs as the BAFTAs returns in May -with stars Stephen Graham, Owen Cooper, Ashley Walters, Erin Doherty and Christine Tremarco all up for awards. 

The series, which was created by actor Stephen, 52, and writer Jack Thorne, tells the story of British teenager Jamie Miller, who is found guilty of murdering a female classmate after being sucked in by the manosphere online. 

Stephen will compete against Lockerbie’s Colin Firth, The Death of Bunny Monro’s Matt Smith and Smoke’s Taron Egerton in the Leading Actor catrgory. 

While Ashley, 43, will face his co-star Owen, 16, in the Supporting Actor category, alongside Mobland’s Paddy Considine, The Death of Bunny Munro’s Rafael Mathe, The Gold’s Joshua McGuire and Down Cemetery Road’s Fehinti Balogun.

While Erin, 33, will be up against The White Lotus’ Aimee Lou Wood, co-star Christine, Get Millie Black’s Chyna McQueen, Task’s Emilia Jones and Rose Ayling-Ellis in Reunion as Leading Actress, the first time she has been nominated in the category.

The shock snub follows the departure of hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman (pictured with TV BAFTA in 2024), as well as the ongoing cast bloodbath 

Stephen could also be up for a win in his performance of Disney+ series A Thousand Blows, created by Steven Knight, which is up for seven awards including Drama Series.

While Netflix has a total of 29 nominations, it’s the BBC who have the highest number of nominations, with 73 in total – five of which are for The Celebrity Traitors. 

The show became the highest-rated show on British TV last year, with host Claudia Winkleman up for a chance at taking home a gong in the best Entertainment Programme section.

While Prime Video’s Last One Laughing, which last week returned for its second series, will compete against the all-stars version of the Traitors, with show star Bob Mortimer up for best Entertainment Performance. 

The BAFTA Television Awards, which takes place at London’s The Southbank Centre’s Royal Festival Hall, will take place on May 10, and hosted by comedian Greg Davies.

BAFTA CEO Jane Millchip said: ‘2025 has been an exceptional year for television, reflected in 124 nominated programmes that highlight the strength and originality of British storytelling. 

‘From powerful documentaries and standout comedy to homegrown drama and the international series that captured global attention, this year’s nominees demonstrate a medium at its creative peak.’

The BAFTA Television Awards take place on May 10