Janette Manrara has slammed the bullying probe engulfing Strictly Come Dancing, claiming it is 'destroying all the wonderful things the show has done'.
While the former Strictly pro, 40, recognised the allegations are 'very serious', she also feels the claims 'shouldn't be at the detriment of the BBC show'.
The BBC flagship show has been plagued for months by allegations of 'bullying' and abuse by former professionals Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima to their celebrity partners Amanda Abbington and Zara McDermott.
An investigation into some claims is now ongoing and the findings are expected to be published in the coming days.
But Janette insisted that people running the competition are learning as 'times are changing' and so people should understand the show is 'not a machine'.
Janette Manrara, 40, has slammed the bullying probe engulfing Strictly Come Dancing, claiming it is 'destroying all the wonderful things the show has done'
It comes after Janette's husband Aljaž Škorjanec's alleged altercation with a female dancer has divided the Strictly pros as it appears the incident has been 'brushed under the carpet' (pictured togeter)
Janette left the ballroom in 2021, the same year she replaced Zoe Ball as the presenter of Strictly's It Takes Two.
Speaking on the Postcards From Midlife podcast about how she felt about the controversy, she said: "It's a funny old situation. For me personally, Strictly has been nothing but joyful and wondrous.
'It's such an amazing tool for change, if you think about Rose [Ayling-Ellis] going on to win it and then the law changing based off dancing - that is the power of dance, that is the power of what we can do on a show like Strictly Come Dancing.
'There's so much positivity that the show has brought. I think when you hear and read the things that you've been reading lately, of course you can't help but feel for the people involved.
'First and foremost I have to start by saying people should not be afraid to talk, if you feel something is wrong or if you feel uncomfortable or if you're in a bullying situation - especially in a work environment - you shouldn't be afraid to talk.
'So, I'm very happy that the people that have spoken, have come out and spoken because it's important they feel they can speak.'
She continued: 'Second to that, it's so hard when you see things online that are trying to destroy all the wonderful stuff that Strictly has brought, because the show is growing.
'Of course, times are changing, you can't expect behaviours that are not acceptable now, have been the same 20 years ago.
While the former Strictly pro recognised the allegations are 'very serious', she also feels the claims 'shouldn't be at the detriment of the BBC show'
The BBC's flagship show has been thrown into turmoil amid allegations of 'bullying' and abuse for two of its former dancers, Graziano Di Prima (left) and Giovanni Pernice (right)
But Janette insisted that people running the competition are learning as 'times are changing' and so people should understand the show is 'not a machine'
Janette left the ballroom in 2021, the same year she replaced Zoe Ball as the presenter of Strictly's It Takes Two
'We're still learning and accepting pronouns, the correct way to speak to people, what is the correct and incorrect etiquette with certain situations.
'So, I think we are evolving as human beings very quickly in the last few years and we're learning a lot about who we are.
'And Strictly Come Dancing is no different - it's a statement of us being humans, it's people that do the show, it's not a machine.
'It looks and acts like a machine because of how brilliantly it's done, it's people that are running the show and doing this.
'So, of course they also learn and things happen that come up and you go 'okay, well next time we'll change that and make that better.
'And I think for me personally, it's important people don't forget all the wonderful things that Strictly has brought over the last 20 years. Because 99 per cent of it is positive.
'And then you have incidents of things that come up that are very serious and should be brought up and should be looked at, but not at the detriment of destroying all the wonderful things that the show has done.
'So, I really hope that people still tune in and still love the show and still appreciate what Strictly is trying to do and has been trying to do for the last 20 years.
'And then hopefully we can move forward and the people and women involved can have closure and feel that they have been listened to and treated appropriately.'
Janette's husband Aljaž Škorjanec's alleged altercation with a female dancer has divided the Strictly pros as it appears the incident has been 'brushed under the carpet'.
The 34-year-old dancer's return to the BBC show has been marred by controversy as the cast and crew are reportedly furious he's back following the alleged backstage row with a female pro - who is said to be still on the show.
The dancer's return to the BBC show has been marred by controversy as the cast and crew are reportedly furious he's back following the alleged backstage row with a female pro - who is said to be still on the show
With the countdown on for the programme's glitzy launch this month, there appears to be unrest among the dancers as Aljaž's drama was brushed aside because it reportedly occurred on tour away from the main show
With the tour seen as separate from the main programme, there appears to be the mentality of: 'what happens on tour, stays on tour', according to The Sun, which is said to have left his furious fellow pros 'totally gutted'
Two years after his exit, it's reported that Aljaž departed the show after an alleged incident with a fellow female professional dancer on the nationwide tour
The Slovenian dancer is set to return to the BBC show for its new series, two years after an altercation on the 2022 live tour (pictured with celebrity partner Sara Davies in 2021)
At the time, Aljaz reportedly agreed to exit the show after an alleged 'shocking' incident with a fellow female professional dancer on the nationwide tour
And with the countdown on for the programme's glitzy launch this month, there appears to be unrest among the dancers as Aljaž's drama was brushed aside because it reportedly occurred on tour away from the main show.
With the tour seen as separate from the main programme, there appears to be the mentality of: 'what happens on tour, stays on tour', according to The Sun, which is said to have left his furious fellow pros 'totally gutted'.
A source told the publication: 'Those who raised concerns at the time had been angry Aljaž was brought back for this year’s series, so felt vindicated when the incident was finally exposed. So they’ve been totally gutted it seems to have been totally swept under the carpet again.
'The feeling backstage very much seems to be ‘what happens on tour, stays on tour’. People are saying because the tour is run by BBC Studios it’s not the same as bad behaviour on the show.'
MailOnline have contacted representatives of Aljaž for comment. Strictly representatives declined to comment.
The Slovenian dancer is set to return to the BBC show for its new series, two years after an altercation on the 2022 live tour, according to The Sun.
Two years after his exit, it's reported that Aljaž departed the show after an alleged incident with a fellow female professional dancer on the nationwide tour.
The decision to bring back the star to the BBC show has reportedly raised eyebrows, especially given a string of scandals that have beset the show in recent weeks.
A source told the publication: 'Has the BBC learned nothing from the past ten months?
'Amid ongoing furore around the behaviour of its male pros, they actively recruited a dancer who left under a cloud.
'Aljaž was touted as an unproblematic, returning legend but that couldn't be further from the truth.'
Despite the show's controversial months, Aljaž - who was accused of upsetting show staff with 'aggressive and pompous behaviour' in 2022 - is set to return (pictured in 2019)
The source claimed the crew and cast were 'relieved' to see his departure two years ago and are now 'aghast' to see him back on the show
The incident was said to have made the female dancer feel 'deeply uncomfortable'.
Aljaž's scene has been reportedly discussed backstage at length since and the decision to bring him back has 'baffled' the crew.
'Execs would have to be living in a cave not to have heard the rumours', the source added.
According to the publication, the BBC denied an official complaint was made over the incident, and it had been previously stated that Aljaz left of his own accord.
A spokesperson for Aljaž said: 'Aljaž has the utmost respect for everyone he works with.
'He chose to leave the show in 2022 of his own accord but he has always loved Strictly and was delighted to be asked back.
'It is untrue to say or suggest he was forced out or that he acted in an aggressive manner at any time. He is excited to make his return to the dancefloor this year.'
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