Strictly Come Dancing hunk ‘faces being axed over drug scandal past as bosses contemplate last minute U-turn’
EX-ENGLAND rugby star Danny Cipriani could be dropped by Strictly bosses over his drug scandal past, according to reports.
The sportsman, 36, was a big hit when he appeared in the Christmas special last year with pro dancer Jowita Pryzstal.
Their sizzling chemistry earned him a call up to the main show this year, which is set to being in a matter of weeks.
However, the Mail is reporting that BBC bosses are contemplating making a dramatic U-turn over fears that past controversies could agitate older fans in light of the ongoing scandals surrounding the show.
An insider said: “Danny was excited to be part of the new Strictly season, having turned the producers down on quite a few occasions in the past.
“His drug record is a serious concern given that Strictly is a family show watched by young and old alike.
“It would be very sad if he ends up getting dropped, but the survival of the show is paramount – nothing can put that at risk.”
A spokesman for Strictly declined to comment.
Danny has previously admitted to dabbling with cocaine and, more recently, the spiritual athlete has taken magic mushrooms and psychedelic ayahuasca, which his actress girlfriend, AnnaLynne McCord, 37, said ‘changed her life forever’.
We revealed last month how fly-half Danny was meeting with the Beeb for talks.
In last year’s special, Danny danced the Cha-Cha with professional Jowita Przystal and scored an impressive 37 out of 40 — including one perfect ten.
At the time he said: “I enjoy the way that I move to the beat of the music. It makes me feel good.”
Danny — who played rugby for clubs including Wasps and Sale Sharks — has been living in the States with his girlfriend, actress AnnaLynne McCord, 36, since his split from wife Victoria Rose in November last year.
He will return to screens next year regardless as part of Netflix‘s huge new show Bear Hunt, which is hosted by Bear Grylls and Holly Willoughby.
Question marks surrounding his signing come amid the ongoing investigation into Giovanni Pernice’s conduct on the shwo and the sacking of his countryman Graziano Di Prima for kicking partner Zara McDermott in rehearsals last year.
The findings of that investigation are due any day now and the result will determine Giovanni’s future association with the programme.
The dancer has denied any wrongdoing and expects to be cleared, while Amanda Abbington, who is at the forefront of complaints made about Giovanni, recently gave a tearful interview slamming his treatment of her behind the scenes.
Strictly Come Dancing 2024: The cast
Who is confirmed to take part in the upcoming series of Strictly?
Jamie Borthwick – The EastEnders star was the first upcoming competitor to be revealed to be on the show by The Sun. He previously won the Christmas special of Strictly Come Dancing in 2023. The actor was given a perfect score of 40 by the judges after dancing the Quickstep with Nancy Xu.
Nick Knowles – The TV presenter is understood to have signed up to the show after months of talks with bosses. He previously teamed up with some of the dance show’s pros, including Katya Jones and Luba Mushtuk for DIY SOS.
Pete Wicks – The former Towie personality is is the best friend of former competitor Zara McDermott’s boyfriend Sam Thompson. It’s his first break into Primetime television after he appeared on shows such as Celebs Go Dating, Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins and The Real Full Monty – where he stripped naked for charity.
Paul Merson – The Sky pundit and former Arsenal legend is set to swap the sports studio for the BBC dancefloor. He previously overcome drink, drug and gambling addictions.
Chris McCausland – In a first for the show, Strictly has signed up the blind comedian. The 46-year-old CBeebies actor lost his sight aged 22 due to a hereditary condition. This was after the hit competition featured deaf EastEnders actress Rose Ayling-Ellis in 2021.
Tom Dean – A day after The Sun revealed the 24-year-old would take to the dancefloor, the Olympian made his own announcement. He was part of the British relay team which won Gold at the 4x200m men’s freestyle event. After accepting his medal, he will hotfoot it back to the UK for rehearsals.
Tasha Ghouri – The former reality TV star shot to fame on Love Island in 2022, but she has years of dance experience. She has a First Class Honours degree in Dance Performance, appeared in various music videos and took part in one of Europe’s biggest dance competitions, Move It.