Strictly Come Dancing's Alexis Warr begins charging £4.79 for online content despite starring in BBC show
Strictly and its talent are funded by the taxpayerStrictly Come Dancing professional Alexis Warr has attracted criticism over an Instagram subscription offering “exclusive content” for £4.79 a month.
The 26-year-old dancer, who reached last year’s final with YouTuber George Clarke, has added a “Subscribe” option to her social media account.
Instagram fans are not told exactly what they will get for their cash, although it is NOT adult content.
So far, Alexis only has 15 subscribers and she has posted four stories and 1 reel for them.
But it has not gone down with fans. They are used to Strictly pros using social media to share behind-the-scenes clips and content for free.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Alexis Warr charging for online content
Each year, the Strictly Come Dancing professionals use their Instagram accounts to update viewers on their progress.
Alexis’ fans, however, have been put off with the idea of having to pay almost £5 a month for extra content.
The American dancer currently has 202,000 followers on the social media platform. She only joined Strictly as a pro last year.
One disgruntled Strictly viewer was quoted in The Sun, saying: “I voted for Alexis and George and I think she was a lovely talented addition, but blowed if I am going to pay.”
Alexis’ money-making move has raised eyebrows due to the BBC’s rigid protocols. The Strictly cast and crew are paid for by the licence fee.
Rules governing commercial work by licence fee-funded talent state that promotions must not “imitate, suggest a reference or connection to or pass off BBC content”.
Talent must also declare commercial interests connected to programmes in which they appear.
BBC responds to Alexis Warr’s exclusive Instagram content
TVGuide contacted the BBC for comment in light of Alexis’ Instagram subscription account.
However, a spokesperson confirmed that the professional dancer is not in breach of the broadcaster’s rules.
The spokesperson told us: “We have clear guidelines around Strictly talent’s commercial activities while working with the BBC, and this does not contravene those.”
Alexis’ move comes just one month after Strictly Come Dancing judge Shirley Ballas found herself in the spotlight for recreating Strictly elements for a cruise ship performance.
At the time, the BBC said it “regularly reminds” talent of the guidelines. But again, a spokesperson said Shirley’s actions did not break the rules.
