A controversy has emerged regarding potential favoritism on the television dance competition Strictly Come Dancing involving contestant Dani Dyer and head judge Shirley Ballas. The concern stems from the pair’s close personal relationship, which dates back to 2019 when they undertook an eight-day charity trek up Mount Kilimanjaro together to support Comic Relief.

The climb, described as gruelling, also included personalities such as Ed Balls and Dan Walker. Sources familiar with the situation say that the shared experience forged a strong bond between Dyer and Ballas, with the judge reportedly acting as a mentor figure during the trip. This connection has raised questions among some professional dancers on the show, who worry that Ballas may be less critical of Dyer’s performances.

One source noted that while Ballas is a professional and committed to fairness, having a personal attachment could cloud objectivity. However, another insider pointed to Ballas’s previous impartiality, highlighting that she voted out Dan Walker—who also participated in the Kilimanjaro challenge—suggesting her judgments are not influenced by personal ties.

Dani Dyer was scheduled to compete in last year’s Strictly series alongside professional dancer Nikita Kuzmin but withdrew shortly before the first live show due to a broken ankle. At the time, Dyer expressed her disappointment, stating that missing the opportunity to dance with Kuzmin was heartbreaking and that she would remain an avid supporter of the competition.

The latest developments place a spotlight on the challenge of maintaining impartiality in judging roles, especially when personal relationships with contestants exist visibly within the sport. The show’s producers and judges have not commented publicly on the allegations of favoritism. Strictly Come Dancing continues to draw attention as it navigates balancing professionalism with the reality of close-knit relationships among participants.