From coded messages and declarations of love to granny pants and aggressive rubs, there’s a lot going on Strictly Come Dancing that before, viewers had never been privy to.
The weekly mic drops on Instagram have been where many of the stand-out moments from this series have played out - the first year that this audio has been released. The source of these sounds differs too - some reports say the mics are on the dancers, while others claim the conversations are picked up by mics in the studio (of which there are many).
As a result, every couple has audio highlights from their dances released each week on the Strictly account, turning up the audio recording of their conversation and showing the clip of their performance.
Truly, it makes for great listening and viewing. Just this weekend Giovanni was heard telling Rose Ayling-Ellis: 'I love you!', which, after their show-stopping silent performance, resonated even more.
A touching and powerful moment between John Whaite and Johannes was picked up weeks before, when he said: 'Come on, follow me through the forest' - a phrase John later revealed bullies used to say to him in a mockingly soft voice.
But it’s not all been earnest or emotional. Among the lol highlights have been Tilly Ramsay’s partner Nikita Kuzmin being heard to say he’d 'received an aggressive rub' according to one post-dance audio, and in week one, Neil Jones was heard shouting 'Granny’s pants!' to partner Nina Wadia during the samba.
What is it that makes us crave to know more? All the backstage gossip? On the surface, ostensibly Strictly is a show about dancing. But it’s more than that. It’s something that makes careers, breaks partnerships, creates relationships, blazes trails and amazes - and it’s all this drama at its spangly, sequinned core that makes it the most-watched show in the country.
As viewers, we’re heavily invested in the couples, the ‘Curse’, and the fact it’s the one constant for four months of the year when we need it most. Winter is a bit shit. Plus, everyone likes to feel like they’re part of something and closer to the dancers they watch week in, week out.
Seeing something so raw, authentic, full of emotion and positive as what comes out of the figurative horse’s mouth has been a weekly highlight, right? So thanks, Strictly. Keeeeeep earwigging!
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