Strictly Come Dancing stars ‘terrified’ they’ll be dragged into show crisis over spats with past partners
STRICTLY Come Dancing’s professionals are now “terrified” former celebrities could draw them into the duty of care crossfire.
Dancers past and present are said to have discussed concerns among themselves that historic disagreements might be flagged to bosses as part of the now wide-reaching appraisal of the show.
The pros fear that even simple spats could see them dragged before BBC execs.
The show, which has run for 20 series, has been hit by claims of abuse by two pro stars, Italians Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima.
Actress Amanda Abbington, 50, claims she was mistreated by Giovanni, 33.
He denies the accusations.
Graziano, 30, has been sacked after his dance partner Zara McDermott, 27, complained that he physically attacked and verbally abused her.
A source close to the situation said: “It’s now clear that no stone will be left unturned in fixing the rot on Strictly, and rightly so.
“But there are fears that any cross word, disagreement or mishap could see a pro linked to this far more serious situation.
“Just like in any workplace, not everyone is best friends and over the years there have of course been partnerships that are less harmonious. That doesn’t mean there was any wrongdoing, though.
“But the last few days have shown celebrities aren’t afraid to now speak up about their experiences.
“The pros are getting nervous any entirely innocent training room moments could now be mined as part of the bigger story.
“This mass witch hunt has become fraught and spans to dancers past and present.”
The concern also spans to sleuths online, who have begun to dig up old training footage as part of a “mass witch hunt” into conduct on the BBC programme.
Former dancer James Jordan is one of the first to have been slated online after an It Takes Two film showed him cajoling Casualty actress Georgina Bouzova in 2004.
In the video, Georgina tells the camera “[James] thinks I’m a bit of a porker” after James shouted: “Come on chubby.”
After being “caught” eating, Georgina is next seen doing sit ups with James shouting: “Come on, come on.”
As she struggles to pull herself up, James scolds: “Put your hands on your temples you lazy cow. Come on fat belly.”
James yesterday hit back: “I strongly suggest that nobody attempts to link this edited BBC VT with the current alleged reports of abusive behaviour taking place behind the scenes by other Strictly professionals.
“There is no comparison to be drawn between those awful allegations and the highly produced and exaggerated VT from the BBC archives that is featuring on social media.
It’s now clear that no stone will be left unturned in fixing the rot on Strictly, and rightly so
A source
“To be clear, I deplore bullying or abusiveness in the workplace.
“The BBC thought it would be fun to put this VT together in the way they did.
“You can see Georgina laughing about it in the studio and in the clips…
“And I have never received ANY complaints from any of my celebrity dance partners in the 8 years I was on the show.”
Standing with Strictly
Exclusive by Jack Hardwick
CLAUDIA Winkleman and Tess Daly have vowed to stand by Strictly Come Dancing as producers battle to keep the show on the air.
BBC bosses are working around the clock to steady the ship after professional dancers Graziano Di Prima, 30, and Giovanni Pernice, 33, left the show amid claims of alleged misconduct.
Despite the growing backlash, insiders said neither Claudia, 52, or Tess, 55, plan on waltzing off anytime soon.
A source told The Sun: “Just like everyone else Tess and Claudia are shocked by the allegations which are coming to light.
“Naturally in light of the show being plunged into scandal those who work on the programme have speculated if either of them will want to jump ship.
“Contractually it would be an issue but there is always a way to get out of these things and it’s safe to say the reputation of the show has certainly changed amongst the public.
“Claudia in particular has turned into a brand in her own right after the huge success of The Traitors.
“However, privately both Tess and Claudia have vowed to stand by the show and co-present this year’s series in a few months
“To them Strictly is very much a family and they want to give the show and bosses their full support.”
Tess Daly has co-hosted the show since it launched in 2004.
She was initially paired with the late Bruce Forsyth until he left in 2013.
The following year Bruce was replaced with Claudia Winkleman, who has remained as Tess’ co-host ever since.