Strictly Come Dancing makes massive backstage change after being slammed for ‘cruelty’

STRICTLY Come Dancing has taken a bold step towards cruelty-free fashion by ditching real feathers from its dazzling costumes following an appeal from animal rights group PETA.

The BBC ballroom hit confirmed it has been “increasingly moving away from real feather use over the last few seasons” and will now focus on using faux feathers instead.

The change comes amid growing calls to ditch animal products in fashion.

Victoria’s Secret recently showcased a feather-free collection, and top designers like Stella McCartney and Richard Malone have already turned their backs on real feathers.

In the feather industry, birds such as ostriches, peacocks, and turkeys endure horrifying conditions.

Ostriches as young as one year old are restrained, stunned, and slaughtered before their feathers are ripped out – often while they’re still warm.

Strictly fans can now rest easy knowing that next year’s glitzy outfits will shimmer cruelty-free.

The show’s Executive Producer, Sarah James, assured People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) that the feathers from this season’s costumes – usually recycled for future series – “are unlikely to be re-used at all going forward.”

PETA, which campaigns against the mistreatment of animals, has asked for the remaining feathers to be donated to its feather amnesty campaign, where they’ll be repurposed for educational displays, protests, and fashion college projects.

PETA’s Vice President, Yvonne Taylor, praised the move, saying: “Behind every feather fashion item is a once-living bird who was shocked, slaughtered, and violently plucked for their plumage.

“PETA applauds Strictly Come Dancing for putting its best foot forward and quickstepping cruelly obtained feathers off the show.

“We’re excited to see the exclusively faux feather costumes it unveils in 2025.”

Earlier this year, the BBC took ostrich feathers off Shirley Ballas’s red gown.

The Strictly head judge's dress had to be plucked of feathers between shows

A TV insider said: “Shirley was shocked by the suddenness of it all and because the outfit pulled to bits was quite glamorous and expensive.

“Shirley changed between the broadcast of Saturday’s live show, when she was dressed as Cher for Music Icons Week, and put on the red number for the start of recording the results show.

“There wasn’t time to change into another outfit and the whole show is run to a tight schedule.

“Wardrobe assistants had to quickly ensure there were no feathers."

It comes after PETA campaigned for TV star Katie Price to stop owning animals.

The animal rights organisation recently offered the former glamour model - who is bankrupt - a whopping £5K if she stopped buying animals.

PETA said that "things have gone horribly wrong with many of the animals under her supervision" – with at least seven dying, while others have been sold or given away.

In a letter to the star, they wrote: “While your intentions may be good, the ever-growing number of animals who have either died under your supervision or been given away is impossible to ignore, and people are rightly concerned."

"Whatever you may offer as reasons for their suffering, relinquishment, or demise, the fact is that you are consistently harming these sensitive, sentient individuals, and I hope you agree that this is a solution,” PETA Vice President Elisa Allen added.

The offer came after a petition to prevent Katie owning pets was launched.