BBC Strictly urged to reinstate full band after being 'shoved into the background'
EXCLUSIVE: BBC viewers are being urged to support a fully live band for Strictly Come Dancing after social-distancing measures reduced the band's size.
Strictly Come Dancing is being urged to reinstate the band to its original size, as the BBC production team has been accused of shoving them "into the background."
The band was reduced in size during the pandemic as social distancing measures were introduced. However four years on, the Strictly band has not been reinstated to its original full size.
Peter Cater, who is a jazz drummer and music industry entrepreneur, spoke exclusively with Express Online about how "frankly absurd" it is that the BBC have not restored the live band in full.
"The Strictly band is a hugely important part of the show and is made up of some of the very best instrumentalists in the UK music profession," he said.
"They have no idea what they are going to be called upon to play until they arrive at the recording. They are given musical arrangements that have been specially written for each routine often at very short notice, and don't have the luxury of having all sorts of time to practise individual parts.
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"It's a high pressure situation with no margin of error. Every band performance be it in rehearsal or on the live broadcast is expected to be perfect.
"To work at this level requires complete mastery of your chosen instrument, and theses musicians need nerves of steel as well as ice in their veins, and the players in Dave Arch's band should be properly showcased.
"With such a marvellous asset as part of the show, for the production team to shove the band into the background as they seem too is frankly absurd."
The BBC has been contacted for comment by Express Online.
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The live band is currently led by Dave Arch and only made up of seven musicians, whilst the rest of the soundtracks are pre-recorded during a three hour session.
The Musicians' Union (MU) has called on Strictly Come Dancing to reinstate the orignal band, with one musician coming out and slamming the show for "cutting corners".
According to GB News, the band was sent a compromise by the BBC of bringing back the full band for only four episodes. However, this offer was rejected as it wants it to return for the entire series.
Strictly Come Dancing returns to the BBC next month.
