As the rain and wind swirls around my little work studio here at the bottom of my garden, I’m reminded of how a client once referred to this season – ‘it’s soup and Strictly season’. And it most certainly is! It’s noodle soup for lunch today, and today’s focus is on the bigger bodied stars of Strictly Come Dancing.

When I was planning this focus for today, frankly, my brain had tricked me into thinking we’ve come further than we have. That I would be able to look back over the former contestants on Strictly and see at least one token bigger bodied contestant each year. But nope, that’s definitely not the case. It really speaks to how much we need representation, that even a scant inclusion of bigger bodies over the years takes up so much of my brain space, and makes me think it’s more than it actually is!

But hmmm... yes, people in bigger bodies are sometimes included, but are their needs centered? Do they receive respectful treatment from the judges and from media? Nope, often not. In the early years particularly, bigger bodied celebrities were mocked and ridiculed; Anne Widdicombe, for example - the sight of her being dragged across the floor by her partner, Anton du Beke, is both humiliating and dehumanising (although please let that be the last time I have to reference her here in our dear Fat Bubble...).

Alongside battling prejudice from some of the judging panel, anyone in an even slightly bigger body is subjected to weight scrutiny by tabloids and social media – an ongoing commentary on how many pounds has been lost is tediously predictable, relentless and invasive. Whether the contestant participates in this commentary or not is a moot point – people in bigger bodies are socialised to celebrate weight loss and, for a reminder, here is the Virgie Tovar quote I will always reference at moments like this... 

The judging panel will often reveal their negative assumptions about bigger bodies in their feedback. I will never forget Shirley Ballas watching Ann Widdicombe dance and then saying, ‘well, you were surprisingly sexy there’ - as if she could barely conceive of a bigger bodied woman being super hot! I’ve spoken about this before, how certain attributes are not assumed about bigger bodies – you can read the piece here. Very much related to this is the anti-Black bias we often see in the public vote – unless they are exceptional, and often in spite of it, Black contestants will frequently end up in the dance-off at a disproportionate rate. Anti-fatness is rooted in anti-Blackness, and it is no surprise these two biases are at work in the voting.

But I love to see bigger bodies on the show – I love to see bigger bodies everywhere! Fat joy is front and centre. I REVELLED in watching Judi Love dance – just like her mega samba here where she absolutely shone! I LOVED Alison Hammond’s spirit and joy in this cha cha cha. I ADORED this camp samba from Lisa Riley.

And last year, the peak for me. I was transported by the grace and elegance of Hamza dancing his way to the trophy. And I remember actually crying to see Jade Adams dance the cha cha cha to Flashdance, and honestly I cried again this morning watching it again – sexy, strong, joyful. Because wrapped up in the joy of inclusion is the grief of recognising all the times we have watched from the sidelines, and been starved of seeing ourselves reflected back to us.

This month is East and South East Asian Heritage Month, created in 2020 by the grassroots organisation besea.n. One of the quotes that has been in my mind throughout this heritage month is this one by Rachel Cason that Lena Lee posted on Instagram

I just love those insights that crack you open and take you further, and give you clarity on how you meet the world. This is one of those moments for me – an intersectional meeting point that makes my heart swell with all its potential and opportunity and hope – identity affirmation. Identity joy. Identity belonging. It’s how I hope people feel when they’re around me. It speaks to me about how we thrive. It's the point of this very space.

And to take it back to bigger bodies on Strictly as we close out - big bodies still don’t truly feel like they belong on Strictly – fat identity, unapologetic and proud, would not yet make sense to many there in the studio or at home watching. But it makes sense to me. I can’t wait for a future that gives us more of that sweet belonging feeling.

Until next week, friends, wishing you safety and joy.

Vicky