Pop CultureCULTURE WATCH

BBC blurs trans rights slogan on Strictly star's T-shirt

Bethany Antonia was rehearsing for the British version of Dancing With the Stars in a BBC video posted last week; the slogan became the story anyway.

On air: Chip Darnell and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 11:25 AM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

At a glance

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

VarietyBBC Blurs Trans Rights T-Shirt on ‘Strictly Come Dancing’ but Says It’s ‘Standard Practice’ to Cut ‘Overt Branding or Slogans’

Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorThe BBC confirmed it blurred a transgender rights slogan on a T-shirt worn by Bethany Antonia, the House of the Dragon star competing on Strictly Come Dancing.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAnd the BBC calls it standard practice to cut overt branding or slogans, which is a lovely way of saying the shirt had opinions.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorI think the blur looks great. It's very mysterious, like a ghost in a rehearsal room.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorA ghost with a message. Now every viewer is squinting at a smudge, which is more attention than the slogan would have got.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorSmudge-gate!
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorDon't. Next they'll blur my tea mug, and it has a very strong slogan on it.
Chip Darnell · U.S. News AnchorWhat does it say?
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorWorld's Okayest Prophet. Gloria's next, and she's probably been blurred in several countries.