Just stop Strictly
Eco-activists plot stage invasion at top BBC show
EXCLUSIVE JUST Stop Oil are planning to cause mayhem on Strictly Come Dancing with a stage invasion in front of millions of viewers.
Protesters have discussed ways to interrupt the hit BBC One show as part of a campaign to “ramp up” the climate group’s action this autumn.
BBC bosses are now reviewing security after we informed them of the plot.
We uncovered the plan to target the popular entertainment show as activists worked out how to get their cause “maximum attention”.
The group discussed staging a stunt during an episode this autumn at a meeting with dozens of supporters in the south of England.
Our reporter was later sent a string of text messages about the plot – a copycat of a demo in Sweden, in which eco group Restore Wetlands stormed the stage during the final of the country’s version of Strictly, Let’s Dance.
They threw yellow powder and held up a sign… but within seconds, a camera operator crashed in to one of the protesters.
Just Stop Oil and other linked organisations have stepped up action in recent weeks – targeting Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party conference speech and a West End performance of Les Miserables.
They have also begun to target educational institutions, spraying orange paint on Oxford University’s 270-year-old Radcliffe Camera building, and targeting Falmouth University’s campus.
The group’s Strictly plan hinges on protesters making it on to the stage during a live broadcast to hold up signs and throw confetti.
A Just Stop Oil source said: “What happened with Restore Wetlands was genius. That’s absolutely something we’re looking at.
“Everyone was talking about that for a long time after.
“Strictly Come Dancing has a studio audience – that presents an opportunity to get inside on the night. Prime-time BBC television, with millions watching would be incredible.” Another source told us: “Tickets are being looked into. It shouldn’t be too difficult, really.”
Text messages seen by us set out the plans, and also show how activists are excited by the scheme.
Using the nickname some members give to one another, one wrote: “The bees are buzzing.”
Others talk about the big impact that storming the stage might offer.
Top BBC stars are likely to be alarmed by our revelations – including hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman. Tory MP Nigel Mills said: “This proves Just Stop Oil are just a bunch of attention seekers looking to cause the most amount of disruption possible with no regard for people impacted.
“I hope this plan utterly fails. People have no time for them – they are just a nuisance to the public and are not helping their cause at all.”
Former Met detective Peter Bleksley said: “BBC bosses should be on high alert to this threat. I can see why
Just Stop Oil would like to target Strictly. It would be right up their street. Every effort should be in place to ensure that this does not work, and that people can watch their favourite TV show without the threat of it being interrupted.”
Over the summer, Just Stop Oil targeted the BBC’S flagship Proms live concert series, as well as sporting events such as Wimbledon, the World Championship Snooker and The Ashes.
Last night, a BBC spokesman declined to comment. But a source at the corporation told us: “Strictly Come Dancing has robust security protocols in place.
“We take any threats extremely seriously – which includes, but is not limited to, working closely with relevant authorities throughout the planning and live stages of Strictly, and thorough security checks [of audience members] upon entry.
“The safety of cast, crew and audiences is of paramount importance.”