Strictly Come Dancing may soon run out of male professional dancers after the dramatic exits of Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice.
The BBC series is experiencing a noticeable lack of male talent after the Italian dancers sensationally left the show following reports of tension with their former celebrity dance partners Zara McDermott and Amanda Abbington.
To make matters worse, some of Strictly's most memorable male dancers have quit or been moved to the judging panel in recent years.
After the dramatic departures of Graziano and Giovanni, only seven men remain; Carlos Gu, Gorka Marquez, Johannes Radebe, Kai Widdrington, Neil Jones, Nikita Kuzim, Vito Coppola and Aljaz Skorjanec who is returning after a two-year break.
The gender imbalance is stark as the show will have ten female pro dancers on its books with the return of Amy Dowden for the upcoming 20th annivesary series.
Strictly Come Dancing may soon run out of male professional dancers after the dramatic exits of Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni Pernice
It was announced on July 9 that Aljaz Skorjanec is returning to Strictly after it was confirmed Giovanni would no longer be part of the line-up
Unless more male dancers are brought in to even things out, securing female celebrity talent for the upcoming series may prove difficult.
Some of the most recent men to quit the dancefloor including Anton Du Beke, Kevin Clifton and AJ Pritchard.
After being with the show since series one, Anton joined the judging panel for series 19 in 2021 and has remained there since.
Kevin Clifton quit the show after the 2019 to pursue a career in musical theatre.
It ended up being a case of bad timing however as the Covid-19 pandemic caused theatres around the country to shut only a few months later.
Kevin later admitted it was 'difficult' to watch the BBC show the following year with him no longer being there.
He told The Huffington Post: 'Strictly Ballroom was sort of the catalyst, but to be honest, I’d been talking to [Strictly Come Dancing] about leaving for about a year' with the star saying he had done 'everything' he could possibly do on the show.'
The show suffered another blow in 2020 when AJ Pritchard quit after four years to become a TV presenter alongside his brother Curtis.
Graziano was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during last year's series
Three former dance partners, including actress Amanda Abbington, instructed lawyers to make 'serious complaints' about Giovanni Pernice's conduct
A statement released at the time said: 'After four years on Strictly Come Dancing, AJ has decided the time is right to leave the show and follow his dreams to explore opportunities in the presenting world alongside his brother Curtis.
'AJ would like to thank the team at Strictly and everyone at the BBC for giving him such a brilliant opportunity.
'AJ would also like to send his love and gratitude to all who have followed and supported his career.
'He is excited for you all to join him on the next chapter of his journey.'
Luckily, Strictly still has some stalwart male dancers they can count on for the upcoming series.
Gorka Marquez is the longest serving male pro at present, having been with Strictly for an impressive nine series.
Johannes Radebe and Neil Jones have both been part of the show for the last six series, Kai Widdrington for four and Carlos Gu and Vito Coppola for three.
It was announced on July 9 that Aljaz Skorjanec is returning to Strictly after it was confirmed Giovanni would no longer be part of the line-up.
Aljaz, 34, who welcomed a daughter Lyra with his partner Janette Manrara in July last year, said he hoped to make the one-year-old proud following his two year hiatus from the BBC show.
Appearing on The One Show, he said: 'I could not be more ecstatic to be back with the Strictly family! This year is such a special one for this legendary show, I can’t wait to be a part of it and make my return to the dancefloor.'
Kevin Clifton quit the show after the 2019 to pursue a career in musical theatre
The show suffered another blow in 2020 when AJ Pritchard quit after four years to become a TV presenter alongside his brother Curtis
Anton Du Beke left his role as dancer to join the judging panel in 2021
Strictly bosses have announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers, after Graziano's shock sacking from the show.
Graziano, 30, was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year's series.
It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington and two other former celeb partners.
Now, bosses have announced that they would be introducing 'additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing.'
A statement from the corporation said: 'Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.'
The new measures include a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers.
A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer will both be appointed to fulfil these added duties, and further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC's Director of Unscripted, said: 'Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we're made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
Luckily, Strictly still has some stalwart male dancers they can count on for the upcoming series including Neil Jones (left) and Johannes Radebe (right)
'Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.'
It came following MailOnline's exclusive reports that the BBC has vowed to fight back after it was revealed that Graziano is taking legal action against the broadcaster.
Graziano believes he should have been 'supported and helped' with his behaviour after bosses warned him about his treatment of former Love Island Zara.
But a BBC insider told the Mail: 'Why would any workplace, particularly one paid for by the public, offer support to someone who acted in an undoubtedly abhorrent manner?'
Graziano, who allegedly 'kicked and hit' Zara, argues that he was not given any advice on how to deal with the pressure of competing in the show.
A friend of the professional dancer said: 'There are questions over their [the BBC's] procedures, and how they operate behind the scenes. He [Di Prima] believes that there is a lot of pressure on professionals to get nines or tens to entertain the audience.'
This paper revealed that Strictly production staff raised concerns about Graziano's conduct last year, but bosses only went as far as to issue quiet warnings to him.
The group expected him to be sacked instantly. They are said to be furious that their complaints were ignored, meaning the abuse towards Zara was allowed to continue. Graziano was even signed on for the upcoming 2024 series of Strictly.
A source from the show said: 'There were multiple occasions where both physical and verbal attacks were made. It was more physical than verbal, but all of it was dreadful.'
It was not until staff got hold of a video allegedly showing Graziano repeatedly hitting Zara – nine months after their initial complaint – that he was fired.
They presented it to BBC HR executives investigating dancer Giovanni Pernice, following claims from his 2023 partner, actress Amanda, that he bullied her in training.
Giovanni denies the claims and quit the show last month.
Strictly Come Dancing bosses have announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers, after Graziano's shock sacking
The Mail revealed he has hired a lawyer and publicist in a bid to come out of the scandal as unscathed as possible
Addressing his exit from the show, a 'devastated' Graziano wrote on Instagram over the weekend: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.'
The Mail revealed he has hired a lawyer and publicist in a bid to come out of the scandal as unscathed as possible.
Zara, who now presents documentaries for the BBC, is said to have been 'too frightened' to put a complaint in at the time, but is co-operating with investigators at present.
Zara 'passed out' during Strictly rehearsals with her partner Graziano and was left sleeping on the floor from tiredness.
In a resurfaced video posted on the professional dancer's Instagram Story, Zara can be seen napping on the floor of the dance studio as she attempted to get some rest after an exhausting training session.
Zara previously shared a gushing post about her time on the show and her partner.
In the caption, she shared: 'From the day I met you Graz, you told me every day that I am strong, beautiful and confident. I believe that everything happens for a reason, and I know that we were meant to be friends for life.
'You have taught me so much about myself and our laughter every single day has brought me so much joy. I never got bored of spending over 12 hours a day with you, and your work ethic has inspired me beyond words.
'You made me believe in myself in those moments that I absolutely didn't and the bond we have built is truly an unbreakable one.'
Zara has since deleted the post. However, she still has pictures and videos with Graziano on her feed.
According to The Sun, BBC bosses were presented with video of Graziano's actions on Thursday, before speaking to Zara ahead of the weekend and finally sacking the Italian on Monday.
Previously, Graziano's fans and famous friends had rallied behind him, including fellow Strictly stars Katya Jones, Susannah Constantine (pictured) and Catherine Tyldesley, who liked and commented on his Instagram post announcing his departure
However, Catherine - who was partnered with Johannes Radebe in the show in 2019 - has now removed one of her more supportive comments
A source told the publication: 'Graziano has held up his hands and admits his behaviour was extreme and unacceptable. He knows there is no return and quite rightly. Yet why was no action taken sooner to nip this situation in the bud?
'Graziano feels if he had received proper support and some sort of anger management training, an escalation could have been prevented.
'For the Beeb's part, Graziano was not the only dancer being spoken to and they had absolutely no idea about the alleged kicking — which it is claimed happened twice — and as soon as they were alerted, they took decisive action and fired him.'
They added: 'Graziano is in bits. He is being monitored 24/7 by his wife Giada and mum who has moved in to take care of him.
'This whole Strictly fiasco is getting increasingly toxic, and the BBC finds itself trying to complete an investigation while overseeing duty of care to all.'
While a BBC insider insisted: 'There was no procrastinating. The video evidence was completely and utterly undeniable.
'It only showed one incident, but it quickly became apparent from talking to Zara that verbal and physical abuse allegedly took place multiple times. She was incredibly brave.'
Amanda Abbington, left the competition mid-way through the series, citing personal reasons after weeks of rumours about a feud with Giovanni (pictured during rehersals)
In 2016, former Love Island host Laura Whitmore said she 'cried every day' and felt 'uncomfortable' while training with Giovanni
As more shocking allegations have come to light over Graziano's sacking, there has been a marked difference in public support for him.
Previously, his fans and famous friends had rallied behind him, including fellow Strictly stars Katya Jones, Susannah Constantine and Catherine Tyldesley, who liked and commented on his Instagram post announcing his departure.
However, Catherine - who was partnered with Johannes Radebe in the show in 2019 - has now removed one of her more supportive comments.
The Corrie star originally wrote: 'What noooo' before adding: 'You are the kindest, incredibly talented, most gentle man... I'm so sorry. Sending you so much love x'.
But now the second gushing comment has been deleted, with only the first remaining on Graziano's post.
The message on Graziano's Instagram reads: 'I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime.
'While respecting the BBC HR process, I acknowledge it's only right for the sake of the show that I step away. I am saddened that I wasn't allowed to offer a quote to the online news stories, and I take on board the sensitivity of the situation.
'There's more to this story that I am unable to discuss at this time, but I am committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family nothing but success in the future.'
Meanwhile, both Zara and her boyfriend Sam Thompson have since unfollowed Graziano, but she still follows his wife, Giada Lini.
Fellow Italian Giada, who also danced as a professional on Strictly, has yet to speak out about her husband's untimely departure.
It is the latest blow suffered by the BBC show, which is still watched by more than ten million people, as allegations against fellow Strictly star Giovanni Pernice are still being investigated.
Graziano joined Strictly in 2018 and was last year partnered with Love Island star Zara but they were eliminated in week six.
He was previously paired with presenter Vick Hope, Loose Women star Judi Love and in 2022 he reached the quarter-final with actor Kym Marsh.
It has heaped further turmoil on Strictly, which is deemed to be the jewel in the Corporation's crown and is still watched by more than ten million people.
Sources have told the Mail that the accusations have prompted bosses to extend the inquiry to look at other matters, and individuals, involved with the dance series as they prepare for its 20th anniversary.
It means that Giovanni, who has already let his frustrations at the investigation be known, faces an even longer wait for an outcome after three former dance partners, including actress Amanda Abbington, instructed lawyers to make 'serious complaints' about his conduct.
It also threatens to damage Strictly, the BBC's biggest Saturday night success story since The Generation Game.
Sources have told the Mail that the accusations have prompted bosses to extend the inquiry to look at other matters, and individuals, involved with the dance series as they prepare for its 20th anniversary
A television source told the Mail: 'This investigation is no longer just solely about Giovanni but other, more wider issues. The show has been going for 20 years and the whole veneer of Strictly is so sparkly and lovely, of course there will always be people who feel hard done by.
'Amanda's complaints have started something massive, it has opened the door for others to come forward about things they haven't been happy with.
'It is all a big headache for the BBC, it is about to celebrate a massive milestone with its 20th anniversary.
'Having the Giovanni complaint has been a big enough issue, but now it looks like there is more to be scrutinised and looked into.'
Sources close to Pernice say that he fully expects to be exonerated.
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