‘Strictly Come Dancing’ bosses banned Kevin Clifton from dressing up as Edward Scissorhands over health and safety fears.
The 37-year-old star – who recently quit after seven years as a pro on the Latin and ballroom competition – has claimed the BBC weren’t keen on him dressing up as Johnny Depp’s titular character from Tim Burton’s 1990 fantasy film.
Speaking on ‘The Kevin Clifton Show’, he said: "Every year I suggest Edward Scissorhands. The imagery is really strong.
"They worry about the scissorhands aspect – that kids are going to the watch [‘Edward Scissorhands’] and then start playing with scissors. It’s a BBC concern."
His girlfriend Stacey Dooley – who works as a documentary maker for the Beeb – laughed at the issue producers had with the idea.
She asked: "Didn’t they fire someone out of a cannon?"
Kevin teased: "Kids aren’t going to have a cannon, I suppose."
The former ‘Strictly’ pro – who won the competition with Stacey as his celebrity partner in 2018 – stepped away from the programme earlier this year, and he explained his decision came down to his age.
He recently said: "At age 23 it would be different. I’d look at it and think, ‘I can stay on this for the next ten or 15 years,’ but at 37 years old I was thinking, ‘I’m going to turn 38.’
"If it’s going to be similar to what I have already done I don’t see myself doing it into my forties."
Meanwhile, BBC bosses are said to be hopeful the show will return later this year despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.
The broadcaster’s controller of programming Dan McGolpin said: "It wouldn’t be the same if we didn’t have ‘Strictly’ in the autumn, would it?
"So no of course the BBC is doing everything it can, and I know that everyone involved in that production team would absolutely love that to happen this Autumn."
Kevin Clifton: Strictly Come Dancing bosses banned Edward Scissorhands routine
