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Past Strictly Come Dancing controversies are being resurfaced as the BBC series finds itself embroiled in its biggest scandal in its 20-year history.
Amanda Abbington, who is the one who lifted the lid on the scandal, has now given a tell-all interview in which she claims there’s “50 hours” of rehearsal footage that left BBC producers “horrified” by her professional partner Giovanni Pernice’s alleged behaviour.
These allegations arrive one week after Graziano Di Prima was dropped from the series for mistreating Zara McDermott in the rehearsal room during the latest run. Di Prima’s family has said they are “deeply concerned” for the Italian dancer’s welfare.
hese allegations arrive one week after Graziano Di Prima was dropped from the series for mistreating Zara McDermott in the rehearsal room during the latest run. Di Prima’s family has told
On Tuesday afternoon (23 July), BBC director general Tim Davie made a statement apologising for the alleged mistreatment of contestants on the show, and said 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
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 Stolworthy26 July 2024 16:00Amanda Abbington reveals moment she first thought ‘Giovanni hates me’
One day after her tell-all interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Amanda Abbington appeared on ITV’s Lorraine, which was hosted by Christine Lampard.
She claimed her troubles with Pernice started just three days into rehearsals, stating: “It was week one, the third day. I’ve got texts to the producer on the third day saying ‘This is awful, he hates me, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong’.’
The Sherlock star added: “I felt I had to speak up because I don’t want people to be frightened about speaking about if they’re being bullied or if they are in a difficult situation and they feel like they are not being heard.
“I do feel I have the right to say it was a toxic environment that I was in while I was rehearsing because it was. I know what happened in the room, and it would be remiss of me if i was to say it’s fine, I don’t want to talk about it.
“It’s important that women and men, because men get bullied as well, it’s important that women feel they are in a safe space where they can say this is inappropriate behaviour and it needs be recognised.
‘Strictly’ co-host Claudia Winkleman supports pros
As the Strictly scandal continues, the show’s remaining professionals are starting to rehearse for the forthcoming series, which will begin in September.
The show’s offiical Instagram account posted: “Day one of #Strictly 2024 rehearsals done! We can’t wait to share our new pro routines with everyone soon @bbciplayer,” to which Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman shared her support for the dancers with a selection of heart emojis.
Other stars to share messages of support included former contestants Annabel Croft, Fleur East and, one day before releasing his tell-all interview with Amanda Abbington, Krishnan Guru-Murthy.
Graziano 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 axeing from the show arrives after he admitted to kicking his celebrity partner Zara McDermott in the rehearsal room during last year’s series.
Giovanni responds to Amanda Abbington’s latest claims
In a statement addressing Amanda Abbington’s 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.”
Jacob Stolworthy26 July 2024 12:00Amanda Abbington claims ‘Strictly’ pros sent her ominous texts about Giovanni
Amanda Abbington has claimed Strictly’s pro dancers text her saying “I’m so sorry” after they discovered she was partnered with Giovanni Pernice ahead of last year’s series.
The Sherlock star told her fellow 2023 contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy for a Channel 4 News interview, who replied: “That’s a really odd thing to do”.
A tearful Abbington said people warned her it would be “tough”, but that she thought she could handle it “because I’ve been around the block a bit, you know?”
Amanda Abbington claims there’s ‘50 hours’ of ‘horrifying’ Strictly rehearsal footage
Abbington’s professional dance partner, Giovanni Pernice, has repeatedly denied any wrongdoing
Jacob Stolworthy26 July 2024 11:00‘Strictly’ scandal to end show’s ‘curse'
The Strictly scandal has taken the spotlight away from the show’s “curse”, which sees tales of rehearsal room lust dominate headlines every year. But, with new measures introduced to prevent contestants being mistreated by their professional partner, it seems this will well and truly put an end to the “curse”.
Find a history of the Strictly curse here:
What is the ‘Strictly curse’ and who’s fallen victim to it?
Tales of rehearsal room lust dominate headlines every year, but is the so-called ‘Strictly curse’ actually real?
Jacob Stolworthy26 July 2024 10:00
Ex-’Strictly’ star is ‘shocked’ by scandal reports
Former Strictly Come Dancing star Pasha Kovalev has said allegations about the behaviour of professional dancers on the show are “sad and shocking”.
Speaking to ITV’s Loose Women about the allegations, Kovalev said: “It’s sad and shocking that we’re in the situation where we are right now.
“And we need to find ways not to let that happen again. I’m sure a lot of people don’t believe it.”
The 44-year-old added: “We need to create the atmosphere where everyone will be heard, [where] everyone (will) feel comfortable going out there to have the best time of their lives.”
Jacob Stolworthy26 July 2024 09:15Zara McDermott ‘danced through injury' on ‘Strictly’
It’s being reported that Zara McDermott danced on Strictly despite the fact she had fractured her leg in rehearsals.
Accoding to The Sun, the contestant made the decision alongside her professional partner, Graziano Di Prima. The injury occurred before Halloween Week, which is when McDermott was eliminated.
Producers are said to have only just become aware of the injury.
BBC director general apologises for alleged mistreatment of contestants
In the corporation’s annual report, BBC director general Tim Davie said sorry for the complaints facing Strictly Come Dancing.
Davie said: “I’m very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive, I think that is something we do reflect on, and I’m sorry about that.”
Read the full story below:
BBC annual report: Corporation boss says sorry over Strictly complaints
BBC boss said: ‘I’m very sorry that anyone has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive’
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