Strictly pro tour in crisis as theatres ready to pull the plug amid abuse scandal
A STRICTLY pro tour has been plunged into crisis amid the current abuse scandal, with theatres ready to pull the plug.
Former stars Vincent Simone, 45, Ian Waite, 53, James Jordan, 46, Pasha Kovalev, 44, and Brendan Cole, 48, are set to hit the road in October with their money-spinning Legends of the Dancefloor shows.
But, with more dancers facing misconduct claims as time goes by, venues are concerned that the fivesome might not get off scot-free, and are prepared to back out.
Theatre bosses are conscious that, if allegations were to emerge about just one of them, ticket sales will dwindle and they could have a big problem on their hands.
A source told The Sun: “Some of the theatres are concerned that the latest allegations are going to affect ticket sales.
“They’re quite worried that more will come out of the woodwork.
“The five of them, though, are fiercely sticking together as a group, saying they’ve done nothing wrong.
“For now, the show will go on and hopefully they’ll get sympathy from people saying how unfair it is for their names to be tarnished.”
The Legends of the Dancefloor is due to kick off on October 1 in Leicester before concluding on October 22 in Southend.
Touring company TCB Group has been contacted for comment.
It comes after Vincent hinted that another celebrity may come forward to reveal more “mistreatment” on the programme.
Vincent, who appeared on the BBC dance show from 2006 until 2012, explained that chaperones are not a new thing, following the announcement of the show’s new duty of care plan.
He recalled a time when he help choreograph a dance routine for a couple on the programme and said a chaperone was sitting in because the celeb and the pro did “not get on”.
Vincent revealed that yet another celebrity felt uncomfortable to be left alone with their partner, but did not name them.
The Italian dancer said on Good Morning Britain on Friday: “I had the pleasure of choreographing the Argentine Tango for Strictly and there has been some of the couples when I was in the room with them, there was this man in the corner with a laptop for the first few days.
“They already had a chaperone in place for this specific couple because they didn’t get on.”
On Tuesday, the BBC gave more detail on their new duty of care and the drastic new measures to be implemented following the overhaul.
Going forward the BBC says there will be a “production team member present during training room rehearsals at all times”.
Ian, who appeared from 2004 to 2009, also joined the the panel alongside Rob Rinder and Charlotte Hawkins.
Ian admitted that the female professionals were just as harsh, if not more so, than the men – but don’t face the same criticism.
Ian told viewers: “The dance world is a hard world to be in because you’ve got to get things right and you’ve got a lot limited time and you’re put under a lot of pressure to make the best performance you can at the end of the week.”
He continued: “In the past some of our lady professionals have been very hard on our male celebs, possibly the male pros wouldn’t have got away with.
“But because it’s a female professional telling a man what to do they kind of get away with it.
“It’s a very high pressured situation, maybe this is why is has created this atmosphere.
“Certainly in my experience I’ve never seen that or heard of that before.”
Ian said he had “never seen that or heard” of anyone “kicking” their dance partner before.
While Vincent shared his horror at the incident – saying “I’ve never heard of such a physical act”.
Co-host Rob asked Vincent: “Can you think of any workplace scenario when you’re teaching somebody and you kick your student, you wouldn’t immediately be sacked and possibly prosecuted?”
Vincent replied: “We’ve been in this industry for over 30 years and I’ve never heard of such a physical act.
Giovanni Pernice Strictly scandal timeline
October 2023: Amanda abruptly withdraws from Strictly having already missed one live show. Her departure is announced in a vague BBC statement that ‘wishes her the best’.
Giovanni posts a short message on social media addressing the exit, which read: “Amanda… I am so sad we can’t continue but I am proud of what we achieved and I am sending you so much love.”
Amanda then shares her own farewell statement on Instagram thanking co-stars but failing to mention Gio.
Giovanni’s dad Piero insists there were no signs of a fall out and the pairing could have gone all the way. He praised his son as kind and polite.
November 2023: Giovanni is reportedly gutted by the situation and is considering his Strictly future as questions are raised about his conduct.
January 2024: Amanda’s PTSD diagnosis comes to light and she demands CCTV from rehearsals to prove that Giovanni’s training methods weren’t acceptable.
The BBC issues a statement defending its duty of care to contestants, insisting it takes any claims of wrongdoing very seriously.
The Corporation stands by its man after emergency meeting
March 2024: Giovanni publicly states he has no intention of leaving Strictly in a TV interview with close pal Anton du Beke.
Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore enter the picture. Allegedly the two celebs, who were both previously partnered with Giovanni on Strictly, didn’t feel the BBC took their issues with his methods seriously enough.
The pair have a closed meeting with Amanda where tears are said to be shed.
May 2024: We reveal Giovanni is leaving the programme after having talks with show bosses
He leaves the country with girlfriend Molly Brown on holiday
The BBC launches an internal investigation after three complainants instruct lawyers. A source describes it as a “nightmare situation”.
“I feel really sorry that this has happened and I pray Graziano comes out and comes clean and be honest with the situation.
“But personally I’ve never had any problems, my Strictly journey was amazing. The only problem I had was all my celebrities fell in love with me.”
Last week, Graziano Di Prima, 30, was dropped from the upcoming series following reports that he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner, Zara McDermott, 27.
This followed the suspension of Giovanni Pernice, 33, over off-camera misconduct claims made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrity partners, which he denies.
Graziano has since admitted “making a mistake” by kicking Zara in a rehearsal last year.
His representative, Mark Borkowski, told PA: “There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right, and he knows that.
“He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.”
The dancer has told pals he is “mentally shot” after a video emerged of him kicking and spitting his former celebrity partner.
A source said: “Graziano has lost everything.
“He is in pieces and filled with remorse. He knows, quite rightly, there is no way back for him in showbiz in the UK. His Strictly dancing career is over.
“He’s fled back home and is living on a farm, earning a pittance, and throwing himself into manual labour.
“He says he is literally living next to some cows- it’s an astonishing fall from grace.”
Graziano is earning £6-an-hour in his new job, a far-cry from the glitz and glamour of the ballroom.
Giovanni, meanwhile, has dismissed his former dance partner Amanda and her bullying claims by branding her a “mad woman”.
Appeareing on stage with judge Anton Du Beke during their Together tour, he also vowed that audiences haven’t seen the last of him, now that he’ll no longer be starring on the BBC show.
He said: “Oh, I will be back, don’t you worry, let’s see what this mad woman has got to say next.”
Anton replied: “Gio you can’t say that.”
Graziano Di Prima - Strictly statement in FULL
GRAZIANO Di Prima has addressed his Strictly Come Dancing sacking with a statement on social media - see the details below.
In a statement shared to his Instagram page Graziano wrote: “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.
“Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.”
He continued: “While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends.
“I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.”
He concluded the post: “I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.”
