Just one in five of Strictly Come Dancing’s 200 contestants have been from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds or of mixed heritage.
Since the show began in 2004, only 39 non-white celebrities have taken part in the series, according to Press Association analysis.
These have included four of the show’s champions: cricketer Mark Ramprakash, singer Alesha Dixon, gymnast Louis Smith, and last year’s winner, TV presenter Ore Oduba.
A full breakdown of the 200 contestants reveals that 80.5% have been white, 12% non-white and 7.5% mixed race, including the latest celebrity to be announced, former JLS star Aston Merrygold.
The PA’s analysis includes only those people to appear in the proper TV series, and does not include Christmas or charity specials.
Some years have been worse than others when it comes to diversity.
In 2004, nine out of the 10 celebrities on the show’s second season were white, with heptathalete Denise Lewis finishing as runner up.
The most diverse series to date was in 2006, when nearly a third (29%) of the 14 competitors were non-white.
This series included singer and presenter Mica Paris, actor Ray Fearon and DJ Spoony, besides eventual winner Mark Ramprakash.
In recent years the number of ethnic minority contestants has increased steadily from 13% in 2013 to 27% in 2016.
But judge Craig Revel Horwood dismissed reports of racism last year after three of the four non-white contestants, DJ Melvin Odoom, EastEnders actress Tameka Empson and TV presenter Naga Munchetty, were voted out by the public in early rounds.
