BBC Defends Editing Out Trans Rights Slogan from Strictly Come Dancing Rehearsal T-Shirt

The BBC has defended its decision to edit out a transgender rights slogan from a T-shirt worn by a contestant on Strictly Come Dancing, stating it was standard practice to avoid overt branding or slogans. The actor Bethany Antonia was filmed wearing the T-shirt, which bore the slogan Protect the Dolls, during rehearsals ahead of her live performance on Saturday night.

The slogan has become a sign of support for the rights of trans women, with proceeds from sales of the T-shirt donated to the UK trans charity, Not A Phase. However, the T-shirt wording was edited out, making it appear plain white, during footage of Antonia rehearsals shown on Saturday show. The edited version also appears on the BBC iPlayer platform.

The T-shirt, produced by the designer Conner Ives, has previously been worn by prominent figures such as the actors Pedro Pascal and Tilda Swinton, as well as the singer Troye Sivan. A social media video posted by the BBC last week had shown Antonia, who stars in House of the Dragon, training in the T-shirt with her professional dance partner, Nancy Xu, where the slogan was clearly visible.

However, when footage of their rehearsals was shown during Saturday show, Antonia was instead seen wearing a plain white T-shirt. The BBC said edits were made to meet editorial guidelines. A spokesperson said that, as is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with editorial guidelines, appropriate steps are taken to reduce the inclusion of any overt branding or slogans that may be present, regardless of the wording or statement in question.

Antonia has not commented on the BBC editing. The BBC has previously edited clothing to meet either its own editorial standards or other broadcasting rules. In 2017, the broadcaster blurred out a T-shirt worn by Clean Bandit singer Grace Chatto proclaiming support for then Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn during a video message. In 2024, writing on a T-shirt worn by Kaiser Chiefs singer Ricky Wilson reading Trans Rights Are Human Rights appeared to be blurred out by the BBC in certain shots during an episode of Michael McIntyre Big Show.