Steve Backshall issues stern warning for Strictly stars following BBC scandal

Steve Backshall has issued an urgent warning to this year’s Strictly Come Dancing contestants after the show was rocked by scandal last year. Back in 2024, several contestants cast a shadow on the BBC dance competition following a series of inappropriate comments. Last week, the star-studded cast of the 22nd series was announced including the likes of Dani Dyer, Alex Kingston, and Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink.

As contestants gear up for the 22nd series of the beloved ballroom competition, the beloved adventurer has passed on some wise words of wisdom to this year’s contestants. The Deadly 60 presenter – who has teamed up with Volvo Car UK and the Eden Project for their Roadside Nature campaign – competed on the dance show back in 2014 when he was partnered up Ola Jordan.

Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, he reflected over his time on the show, where he finished in eighth place. He confessed: “When you’re in the Strictly bubble, it feels like the most important thing in the world.

“It feels like the whole world’s watching you and it feels very, very important, and it feels very portentous.” It was at this point that he issued an urgent warning to this year’s star-studded line-up before the make their ballroom debut.

He urged: “And at the end of the day, you need to just keep reminding yourself that it’s just dancing. If you do a bad Cha Cha, nobody’s going to die. It’s not the end of the world, it’s just a bit of fun.

“Don’t look at social media. Don’t look at what people think of your dancing, just do it and enjoy it. Get the most out of it while you can and just remember, it’s just dancing.”

The explorer teamed up with Volvo Car UK for the launch of its new Roadside Nature campaign, in partnership with the Eden Partner. They launched a free downloadable activity pack to help keep children engaged with the nature outside their windows, allowing parents to focus on the road.

Speaking about the campaign, Steve gushed: "Nature is full of wonder - but today's kids are more familiar with cartoon castles than real ones. This pack is all about opening their eyes to the world beyond their screen, making every road trip a mini adventure.

"By encouraging children to appreciate their surroundings during travels, we not only keep them engaged but also minimise distractions for the driver creating a safer and more enjoyable experience for everyone."

To download the Roadside Nature Activity Pack, visit the Volvo website.