Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
BBC Blurs Trans Rights Slogan on Strictly Come Dancing Star's T-Shirt
The BBC has confirmed it blurred a transgender rights slogan on Bethany Antonia's T-shirt during Strictly Come Dancing rehearsals, citing standard editorial guidelines on branding and slogans. The House of the Dragon actress wore a 'Protect the Dolls' shirt supporting the nonprofit Not A Phase, prompting accusations of censorship from viewers.
The BBC has confirmed that it blurred out a transgender rights slogan on a T-shirt worn by Bethany Antonia, the House of the Dragon actress currently competing on Strictly Come Dancing. The broadcaster said the edit was made in line with its standard editorial guidelines on reducing overt branding and slogans on entertainment programming.
Antonia, who plays Lady Baela Targaryen in HBO's Game of Thrones spin-off, was seen in rehearsal footage wearing a white T-shirt bearing the phrase «Protect the Dolls.» The slogan is associated with a charity campaign that raises money for Not A Phase, a nonprofit organization supporting transgender people. The same shirt has been worn by other celebrities, including Pedro Pascal, Madonna, Troye Sivan, and Addison Rae.
During several training clips, the slogan was deliberately edited out, and in some instances the T-shirt was blurred entirely. Viewers noticed the edits and took to social media to accuse the BBC of censoring transgender rights messaging. One user wrote that the broadcaster was «absolute cowards» for the decision, while another said the country had become «so right wing» that a shirt promoting safety and inclusivity could not be shown. A third comment called the behavior «disgraceful.»
The BBC defended its decision in a statement, saying: «As is standard practice on any entertainment show on the BBC and in line with our 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.» The broadcaster has not commented specifically on the content of the slogan.
The controversy comes amid broader scrutiny of the BBC's treatment of LGBTQ+ programming. Last month, the corporation axed RuPaul's Drag Race UK after eight series, citing budget cuts. Earlier this year, it also scrapped the queer dating show I Kissed A Girl and its spin-off I Kissed A Boy, pointing to «funding challenges.» Jordan Burrow, a former contestant on I Kissed A Boy, told BBC Newsbeat at the time that the cancellations felt like «an example of where we're at within the queer community and where we stand with people who are not in the community.»
Strictly Come Dancing, the British version of Dancing With the Stars, is one of the BBC's highest-rated entertainment programs and has frequently found itself at the center of cultural debates. The show's current season, its 24th, features Antonia among its celebrity contestants. Neither Antonia nor Not A Phase has issued a public statement on the editing decision.
The incident has reignited discussions about how broadcasters handle political and social messaging on entertainment platforms, particularly when those messages relate to marginalized groups. The BBC's guidelines allow for the removal of logos and slogans to avoid the appearance of endorsement, but critics argue that applying the rule to a human rights message is itself a political act. The broadcaster has not indicated whether it will review its approach.
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