TV

Strictly’s Halloween special bit by accusations of racism

The opening routine offended some

| Updated:

Strictly Come Dancing’s Halloween week is always a spectacle, but some viewers interpreted the opening number as racist.

The pro and celeb dancers ensemble performed a number themed upon Mexico’s Day of the Day.

An explosion of colour and carnival (Credit: BBC)

Read more: Strictly pairing rumoured to be growing romantic 

And while it was an explosion of drama and colour, certain fans of the show felt it was “misappropriating Mexican culture”.

Mexico’s Day of the Dead, Día de Muertos, is celebrated each year on November 2nd.

The public holiday sees family and friends gather to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, to support their spiritual journey.

Not all viewers appreciated the Mexican theme (Credit: BBC)

The routine was to the music of Harry Belafonte’s Jump In Line, from the legendary film Beetlejuice.

And it stirred up some negative vibes on Twitter.

“Are #strictly really going to pretend like that isn’t the most disrespectful opening to a Halloween show they could have come up with? FFS, leave Mexican tradition ALONE…” typed on angry spectator.

Halloween is always a spooktacular show (Credit: BBC)

Read more: Seann Walsh JOKED with Strictly co-star about THAT kiss 

Another posted: “Surely #Strictly misappropriating Mexican culture is EXACTLY the same as what the black and white minstrels used to do in the ’60s ~”

“Mexican costumes, Caribbean music?” posted another.

The routine featured sombreros and coffins (Credit: BBC)

A fourth wrote: “Family member – ‘What does Mexico have to do with Halloween…’ OH JUST GO WITH THE FLOW.”