BBC Defends Editing Out Slogan From Bethany Antonia's Strictly T-Shirt

The BBC has defended its decision to edit out a slogan from a T-shirt worn by Strictly Come Dancing contestant Bethany Antonia during rehearsals for the show’s third live broadcast on October 10, 2026. The garment, designed by Conner Ives, featured the phrase "Protect the Dolls," a slogan widely used to express support for the rights of transgender women.

BBC defends editing out trans rights slogan on Strictly

The editing became a point of contention after viewers noted discrepancies between the rehearsal footage shown during the Saturday night program and previously released content. While a social media video posted by the BBC last week showed Antonia training in the T-shirt with her professional partner, Nancy Xu, the slogan remained clearly visible. By the time the rehearsal montage aired on Saturday, the footage had been altered to make the T-shirt appear as a plain white top, with some shots showing a blurred area over the chest. The edited version is also present on the BBC’s iPlayer platform.

https://x.com/superTV247/status/2109039816793010387

Editorial Guidelines and Viewer Response

In response to criticism from viewers who accused the broadcaster of censorship, a BBC spokesperson stated that the changes were made to adhere to internal policies regarding on-screen attire.

BBC responds after censoring Strictly star’s t-shirt with pro-trans

"As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question," the spokesperson said.

BBC Defends Editing Out Slogan From Bethany Antonia's Strictly T-Shirt — Photo: Yahoo News UK

The BBC has previously implemented similar measures regarding clothing. In 2017, the network blurred a T-shirt worn by singer Grace Chatto that displayed support for the then-Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during a broadcast that occurred within a pre-election period governed by impartiality rules. Additionally, in 2024, text on a T-shirt worn by singer Ricky Wilson reading "Trans Rights Are Human Rights" was blurred during an appearance on Michael McIntyre’s Big Show.

Bbc Issue Statement Strictly Come 37760418

The "Protect the Dolls" T-shirt has been worn by various public figures, including Pedro Pascal, Tilda Swinton, and Troye Sivan. The slogan’s use of the term "dolls" is rooted in the 1980s ballroom scene, and the shirt became popularized in 2025. Sales of the garment have been associated with charitable efforts, including donations to the UK-based trans charity Not A Phase and the North American organization Trans Lifeline.

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Antonia, an actor known for her role in House of the Dragon, is competing in the current series of Strictly Come Dancing as part of an all-female partnership with Nancy Xu. Antonia has previously spoken about the significance of representation on the show, noting that she was inspired to publicly embrace her sexuality after watching the first same-sex pairing of Nicola Adams and Katya Jones in 2020. Antonia has not provided a comment regarding the BBC’s decision to edit her rehearsal attire.