The BBC has received around 150 complaints from viewers over the Strictly homage to Priscilla: Queen of the Desert, which saw the male dancers perform in drag.
But bosses were heartened that it was fewer than the 189 complaints sparked by last year’s all-male dance between Johannes Radebe and Graziano di Prima.
Strictly professional Anton Du Beke, who has been on the show since the start and took part in the Priscilla performance, said it was disappointing to see that some viewers were upset by the colourful performance which involved make-up, high heels and rainbow fans.
“It’s silly really and it’s a shame,” he said. “It is a movie and this wasn’t just camp time, we weren’t just frocking up for sake of it – it is the movie Priscilla and if you’ve seen the movie you’ll know what it’s all about.
“I thought they did a great job of it.”
The BBC’s complaints unit will make its response on Wednesday.
Most viewers enjoyed the colourful performance, with some branding it the best group dance ever seen on the show. But others complained it had left their grandchildren “confused” and branded the male pros in make-up, dresses and high-heels as “disgusting”.
Yesterday judge Craig Revel Horwood said that people who didn't like the dance, shouldn't watch Strictly.
“I think the people that are complaining just need to turn onto another station,” he declared.
“It's madness. It’s a form of theatre. They’re artists, they’re dancers and they are involving themselves in characters.
"I was just really sad that I didn’t make an entrance, I was so jealous, I wanted to be in there with a big blue emu on my head.”
Speaking to Steph McGovern on C4 he added: “If you haven’t seen that movie, I suggest you go and watch it and see why they were doing what they were doing. It’s not just for fancy dress.”
*Strictly returns to BBC One on Saturday at 7pm
