Strictly Come Dancing returns to BBC One this weekend following months of scandal surrounding its pro dancers.
Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington, who lifted the lid on the scandal with a set of allegations against Giovanni Pernice, has claimed there are “50 hours” of rehearsal footage that left BBC producers “horrified” by her former dance partner’s alleged behaviour.
Pernice has denied all claims and, on 29 July, learnt the result of the BBC’s investigation into the accusations. The findings are yet to be made public.
Graziano di Prima has also been at the centre of controversy because of alleged behaviour in his rehearsals with Zara McDermott. Both di Prima and Pernice have left the show.
This year marks Strictly’s 20th anniversary, and the new contestants will be hoping their fancy footwork can make headlines for the right reasons. The famous faces taking to the dancefloor are Jamie Borthwick, Tom Dean, Shayne Ward, Sarah Hadland, Tasha Ghouri, Pete Wicks, Wynne Evans, Toyah Willcox, Dr Punam Krishan, Chris McCausland, JB Gill, Montell Douglas, Paul Merson, Sam Quek and Nick Knowles.
Their professional dance partners will be revealed in Saturday’s opening episode, with Amy Dowden, who was too ill to compete in last season’s show as she underwent treatment for stage three breast cancer, returning for the new season.
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