Strictly scandal – live: Giovanni investigation result ‘imminent’ as huge star ‘signs up’ for 2024 series
Things are getting worse for the primetime show
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Strictly Come Dancing is embroiled in a behind-the-scenes bullying scandal – the biggest controversy the BBC competition has faced in its 20-year history.
Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, who lifted the lid on the scandal with her own set of allegations against Giovanni Pernice, has claimed there are “50 hours” of rehearsal footage that left BBC producers “horrified” by her former dance partner’s alleged behaviour.
Pernice has denied all claims and, on Monday (29 July), learnt the result of the BBC’s investigation into the accusations. The findings are yet to be made public.
Meanwhile, Graziano Di Primawas sacked from the show earlier this month after it was alleged that footage existed of him physically and verbally abusing Zara McDermott in training during last year’s series.
Last week, BBC director general Tim Davie made a statement apologising for the alleged mistreatment of contestants on the show, saying that the corporation “will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour”.
Below are latest updates as the scandal unfolds.
‘Strictly’ pro dancers ‘upset they’ve been hung out to dry’
Strictly’s professional dancers are said to be angry that ex-celebrity partners are “hanging them out to dry”.
As the show’s scandal continues, a source told The Mirror: “It’s causing untold stress and mental anguish to so many of them as every day there are new accusations.
“Yes, one or two of the celebs in the last 20 years might have had a bad experience but they are in a tiny minority. The whole thing smacks of ambulance chasing.”
Laura Whitmore alleges ‘inappropriate behaviour’ on ‘Strictly’
Former Love Island host Laura Whitmore, who was partnered with professional dancer Giovanni Pernice in 2016, has alleged she was subjected to “inappropriate behaviour” while on Strictly Come Dancing.
It had been reported that Whitmore had made a complaint in the past – but this marks the first time she is publicly commenting.
The presenter, who had an ankle injury during the show, says she “raised concerns” at the time.
Pernice has previously denied “threatening or abusive behaviour” allegations made by Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, who was partnered with him in 2023.
In an Instagram story shared on Saturday (27 July), Whitmore wrote: “I initially raised concerns back in 2016. I thought my experience was specific to me but I’ve since learned I was wrong.”
“The aim of this is to show a pattern of behaviour that I believe needs to stop.”
She said: “I am not looking for anything, just an acceptance that what happened to me in the rehearsal rooms during my time on BBC Strictly was wrong and that it won’t happen to anyone else again.”
The television presenter went on to say she had not made an official complaint and was providing evidence of her experience to support the BBC’s investigation.
Third Strictly professional highlighted as ‘person of interest’
A third Strictly Come Dancing star has allegedly been named as a “person of interest” amid an investigation into the BBC show’s off-screen rehearsals.
It’s been claimed that the unidentified professional has been highlighted in the days after Graziano Di Prima was dropped from the show for kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott on last year’s series.
Third Strictly Come Dancing star named as ‘person of interest’ amid scandal
The dancing show’s crisis seems to be worsening
BBC announces new welfare steps after ‘Strictly’ bullying allegations
The BBC has announced new welfare precautions to help look after Strictly Come Dancing contestants, following allegations of abuse that have shaken the flagship show.
A statement shared last week said: “Going forward, we will: have a production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times; increase existing support with the addition of two new roles on the show dedicated to welfare support – a Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer; and deliver further training for the production team and crew.”
Read more here:
BBC announces new welfare steps after abuse allegations
Claims against Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima have rocked the show
Paralympian Will Bayley says series left him with ‘horrific’ injury he’ll ‘never get over’
Another Strictly Come Dancing contestant has spoken out against their time on the show.
Paralympian Will Bayley appeared on the BBC dancing series in 2019 and was forced to withdraw six weeks in after tearing his knee ligaments in rehearsals.
He is now shedding light on his behind-the scenes experience amid a scandal that has shone a spotlight on the show’s duty of care protocols.
Bayley said the injury, which was caused after his professional partner Janette Manrara made him redo a jump after a “rubbish” attempt, has resulted in an excruciating pain he will live with “forever”
Read more here:
Strictly star says series left him with ‘horrific’ injury he’ll ‘never get over’
‘I was lying on the floor thinking my whole career was over,’ ex-contestant said
What has Giovanni said about Amanda Abbington’s claims?
In a statement addressing Amanda Abbington’s recent Channel 4 interview, in which she claimed there’s “50 hours” of Strictly rehearsal footage that “horrified” BBC producers, Giovanni Pernice’s spokesperson said:
“We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.
“As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.”
Ex-Strictly contestant ‘not entirely surprised’ by scandal
Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Reverend Richard Coles has said he is “not entirely surprised” after allegations emerged about the treatment of contestants on the popular BBC show.
“Sometimes contestants coming onto the show are surprised and dismayed at how intense that relationship can get in rehearsal spaces,” Reverend Coles, who appeared on the show in 2017, told Good Morning Britain.
Watch the video here:
Ex-Strictly contestant ‘not entirely surprised’ after allegations about show
Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Reverend Richard Coles has said he is "not entirely surprised" after allegations emerged about the treatment of contestants on the popular BBC show. The corporation has said it is announcing “additional steps to strengthen welfare and support” on the series, after concerns “have arisen in recent months” that are “fundamentally about training and rehearsals”. A member of the production team will now be present “at all times” during training room rehearsals. "Sometimes contestants coming onto the show are surprised and dismayed at how intense that relationship can get in rehearsal spaces," Reverend Coles, who appeared on the show in 2017, told Good Morning Britain on Thursday (18 July).
‘Strictly' bosses ‘considering axing’ five dancers
It’s being reported that Strictly producers are considering dropping five of the show’s longest-standing dancers in the wake of the scandal that’s rocked the show in recent months.
The professional line-up was announced last month and the announcement arrived without Giovanni Pernice, who was dropped after being embroiled in a behind-the-scenes controversy with Amanda Abbington.
Weeks later, Graziano Di Prima was dropped after admitting to kicking Zara McDermott in rehearsals during last year’s series.
MailOnline reports that bosses are considering bringing a roster of new talent for next year’s series as they allegedly feel some of the show’s longest-standing dancers feel “entitled and untouchable”.
Find out which dancers are returning for this years series here:
Giovanni Pernice axed from Strictly Come Dancing 2024 lineup
Dancer has faced flurry of allegations about his behaviour and teaching methods
Amanda Abbington claims she and her lawyer are trying to access 50 hours of rehearsal room footage
In a recent interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 News, Abbington claimed that Strictly’s producers installed cameras in her rehearsal room after she raised concerns about Giovanni Pernice.
“Every Friday, after the next sort of five weeks, I would get the producer saying, on the Friday, ‘We just watched the footage back, we are shocked and horrified, we’re so sorry’. That was to my face on the Friday when we would go in and do the camera rehearsal,” she said.
“It’s out there. There is evidence out there of what happened in that room and I’m not the one who’s blocking it. I’ve said anyone can watch it, but he [Giovanni] doesn’t want anyone to see it, which is quite telling if he’s got nothing to hide.”
Read more here:
Amanda Abbington claims there’s ‘50 hours’ of ‘horrifying’ Strictly rehearsal footage
Abbington’s professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing
‘Strictly’ pro denies complaining about show
Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova has denied making a complaint against Strictly.
After a MailOnline report claimed that the dancer had contacted the BBC to discuss her concerns about the show, she said in a social media post: “There have been lots of Strictly rumours around in the last few days and I just wanted you to know that I have not complained about the programme.
“I am looking forward to the new series and can’t wait for it to start.”
Bychkova will be paired with a celebrity this year after reportedly being left “devastated” to find she had been benched for the 2022 series.
Strictly Come Dancing’s Nadiya denies making complaint about show
Dancer says she is ‘looking forward to the new series’ amid reports of ‘Strictly’ backstage drama
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