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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), will learn the result of the BBC’s investigation into the accusations. It’s also been claimed by MailOnline that Pernice, who is no longer a part of the show, is being lined up to appear on this year’s I’m a Celebrity, with producers reportedly willing to sign him up for £100,000.
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.
Key Points
- Amanda Abbington claims there’s ‘50 hours’ of Strictly rehearsal footage that ‘horrified’ BBC producers
- Strictly star says series left him with ‘horrific’ injury he’ll ‘never get over’
- Third star named as ‘person of interest’ in BBC series scandal
- Strictly Come Dancing scandal timeline
- Strictly’s days of being the nicest show on TV are over
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.
Giovanni Pernice result arriving today
The result of the BBC’s internal investigation into Giovanni Pernice’s behind-the-scenes behaviour is set to be announced privtaely today (29 July). It’s unknown when the findings will be made public, but Pernice has expressed hope that he will be cleared this week.
Pernice will meet with BBC bosses to learn the result of the investigation, which was lauched after lcaims made by his former dance partner, Amanda Abbington.
Last week, Abbington claimed there were more than “50 hours” of footage that had left producers “horrified” by her alleged treatment by Pernice, who has denied all allegations of wrongdoing.
Jacob Stolworthy29 July 2024 18:15Amanda Abbington’s parents speak out on scandal
In a new interview, Amanda Abbington’s father John said he is “worrying” about his daughter all the time.
“It’s the after-effects I worry about too. Will she be able to carry on with her career?’’
He said his daughter is “no snowflake” and has “thick skin” from her days training at drama school.
John said he and Abbington’s mother, Patsy, were looking forward to seeing their daughter on the dancing show, but it quickly transpired she wasn’t enjoying it.
“We were all looking forward to it. After the first show, she came back and said it was the hardest thing she’d ever done. Things only got worse from there,” he said.
“I knew something was wrong with her because I could see the change in her,” said Patsy. “She had completely changed.”
John said that Abbington’s partner, Jonathan Goodwin, had to “coax” the actor into the car each day to get her to the Strictly training rooms because she “hated it so much”.
“She missed a week because she was not well, and went back for one week and realised then that she could not take what was happening to her,” John explained. “Then [her doctor] diagnosed her with post traumatic stress disorder.”
Jacob Stolworthy29 July 2024 17:45Third 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
Jacob Stolworthy29 July 2024 17:15‘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.”
Jacob Stolworthy29 July 2024 16:45Graziano Di Prima is ‘under medical supervision’ after ‘Strictly’ axe
Graziano Di Prima’s family have said they are “deeply concerned” for his welfare following his axe from Strictly.
They told The Mirror: “Graziano is currently under medical supervision, with the stress of the situation causing significant concern for his family, who are monitoring him hourly.
“The unrelenting feeding frenzy over these accusations and his mental state leaves him at this time unable to defend himself.”
His exit from the show arrives after he admitted to kicking his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott, in the rehearsal room during last year’s series.
Amanda Abbington reveals hopes for outcome of ‘Strictly’ scandal
Amanda Abbington has said she doesn’t want Strictly to end as a result of the scandal.
The Sherlock star said in a recent interview: “I love Strictly, I always wanted to do that show. I think it’s a beautiful British institution. Most people on that show are wonderful and I’ve made some good friends on that show, I don’t want it to end.
“I want it to have a beautiful extended life because it’s Saturday night entertainment.”
However, Abbington said she “would like an apology” over her alleged mistreatment by pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, adding: “I would like this to not happen to women working in that corporation again and for it to be taken seriously”.
Jacob Stolworthy29 July 2024 15:45BBC 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
Jacob Stolworthy29 July 2024 15:15Paralympian 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
Jacob Stolworthy29 July 2024 14:45What 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.”
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