Strictly Come Dancing: Investigation into BBC show after abuse allegations

As celebrities head into training for this year’s BBC Strictly Come Dancing series this week, we look at the recent abuse allegations that some former contestants have said about their time on the show.

In recent months, the star-studded BBC programme has been thrown into turmoil after multiple abuse allegations against their professional dance partners. Strictly sees celebrities team up with a professional for a total of 13 weeks (if they make it to the final) often forming a close bond and working long hours together.

However, recent controversies have seen celebrities accuse their dance partners of abusive behaviour and teaching methods behind closed doors.

The controversy began when actress Amanda Abbington, 50 exited the show last year, after accusing her partner Giovanni Pernice of abusive behaviour, which he denies. According to reports, Abbington experienced toxic, ‘aggressive behaviour’ and bullying while on the show,  which led to her departure after week five.

The Sherlock star, 51, also later revealed she was diagnosed with PSTD after her stint on the show and had even received death threats from devoted Strictly fans.

Concerningly, she told Sky News she knows of “three other women” who went through something similar during their Strictly experiences and there is “potentially” more people coming forward.

Meanwhile, in recent weeks, allegations against professional, Graziano Di Prima came to light after he allegedly “kicked” his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott, 27 during rehearsals. Sources claim that behind the scenes, Zara was a victim of “repeated physical and verbal abuse”.  He has since been axed from the show.

In an Instagram post, the Love Island star said:

“I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports. Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.

“However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredibly distressing to watch.

“I have wrestled with the fear of opening up- I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming. But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.”

In a statement on Instagram, Di Prima said he “deeply regrets” the events leading up to his departure and acknowledged that his “intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime”.

What has the BBC said?

Since the abuse allegations, the BBC announced that changes will be implemented and members of the production team will now be present “at all times” during training room rehearsals on Strictly.

There will also be enhanced training and two new dedicated welfare producers – one for the celebrity contestants and the other for the professional dancers.

A BBC statement said that: “when issues are raised with us we always take them extremely seriously and have appropriate processes in place to manage this”.

The BBC director general Tim Davie said that he remains committed to Strictly, but apologised to “anyone [who] has had an experience on Strictly that hasn’t been wholly positive,” adding: “I think that is something we do reflect on, and I’m sorry about that.”

Davie continued: “Alongside the fun and entertainment, there will be a degree of competitiveness, hard work, and a will to do well, that’s part of what makes this show. But there are limits and the line should never be crossed.”

The BBC is also said to be conducting an internal investigation into the complaints about Strictly.

Further reading

Historic abuse claims – Oakwood Solicitors

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