Past Strictly Come Dancing controversies are being resurfaced as the BBC series finds itself embroiled in its biggest scandal in its 20-year history.
Amanda Abbington, who is the one who lifted the lid on the scandal, has now given a tell-all interview in which she claims there’s “50 hours” of rehearsal footage that left BBC producers “horrified” by her professional partner Giovanni Pernice’s alleged behaviour.
Abbington also claimed that Pernice’s fellow pro dancers sent her texts of apology after it was revealed he would be partnered with her ahead of last year’s series. Pernice has denied all claims made by Abbington.
These allegations arrive one week after Graziano Di Prima was dropped from the series for mistreating Zara McDermott in the rehearsal room during the latest run.
On Tuesday afternoon (23 July), BBC director general Tim Davie made a statement apologising for the alleged mistreatment of contestants on the show, and said the corporation “will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour”.
Below are latest updates as the scandal unfolds.
Key Points
Amanda claims she sent ‘Strictly’ producers texts of concern after just three days
13:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Amanda Abbington has opened up about texts she claims to have sent to Strictly producers about partner Giovanni Pernice’s alleged behaviour in training.
Appearing on ITV’s Lorraine show on Thursday (25 July), the actress - who left the competition after week six, claimed problems had started early on.
She said: “Week one, third day. I’ve got texts to the producer on day three going ‘This is awful, he hates me, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’m trying my best, I promise you’. So that was the first week.”
Pernice has strongly denied all the allegations.
Shirley Ballas hints at ‘Strictly’ drama?
12:15
Jacob Stolworthy
Soon after Amanda Abbington’s tell-all interview, in whcih she made allegations against Strixctly’s Giovanni Pernice, series judge Shirley Ballas appeared to hint at the drama online.
Ballas, who is friends with Pernice, shared a post that read: Surround yourself with people who fight for you in rooms you aren’t in. Goodnight lovely humans who are in my life you know who you are.”
‘Strictly’ co-host Claudia Winkleman supports pros
11:30
Jacob Stolworthy
As the Strictly scandal continues, the show’s remaining professionals are starting to rehearse for the forthcoming series, which will begin in September.
The show’s offiical Instagram account posted: “Day one of #Strictly 2024 rehearsals done! We can’t wait to share our new pro routines with everyone soon @bbciplayer,” to which Strictly co-host Claudia Winkleman shared her support for the dancers with a selection of heart emojis.
Other former stars to also share messages of support included Annabel Croft, Fleur East and, one day before releasing his tell-all interview with Amanda Abbington, Krishnan Gury-Murthy.
Amanda Abbington reveals moment she first thought ‘Giovanni hates me'
10:30
Jacob Stolworthy
One day after her tell-all iterview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy, Amanda Abbington appeared on ITV’s Lorraine, which was hosted by Christine Lampard.
She claimed her troubles with Pernice started just three days into rehearsals, stating: “It was week one, the third day. I’ve got texts to the producer on the third day saying ‘This is awful, he hates me, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong’.’
The Sherlock star added: “I felt I had to speak up because I don’t want people to be frightened about speaking about if they’re being bullied or if they are in a difficult situation and they feel like they are not being heard.
“I do feel I have the right to say it was a toxic environment that I was in while I was rehearsing because it was. I know what happened in the room, and it would be remiss of me if i was to say it’s fine, I don’t want to talk about it.
“It’s important that women and men, because men get bullied as well, it’s important that women feel they are in a safe space where they can say this is inappropriate behaviour and it needs be recognised.
Amanda Abbington reveals hopes for outcome of ‘Strictly’ scandal
10:10
Jacob Stolworthy
Amanda Abbington has said she does not want Strictly to end as a result of the scandal.
The Sherlock star stated: “I love Strictly, I always wanted to do that show. I think it’s a beautiful British institution. Most people on that show are wonderful and I’ve made some good friends on that show, I don’t want it to end.
“I want it to have a beautiful extended life because it’s Saturday night entertainment.”
However, Abbington said she “would like an apology” over her alleged mistreatment by pro dancer Giovanni Pernice, adding: “I would like this to not happen to women working in that corporation again and for it to be taken seriously”.
Amanda Abbington reveals extent of death threats post-’Strictly'
09:30
Jacob Stolworthy
Amanda Abbington has revealed that she received rape and death threats to her children in the aftermath of withdrawing from Strictly Come Dancing.
Speaking to Channel 4 News on Wednesday, Abbington said the abuse had been “brutal, relentless and unforgiving” and she received dozens of threats a day towards herself and her children.
“The aftermath has been something that I wasn’t expecting. The death threats and the rape threats towards not only myself but my daughter, and the threats of death to my son,” she said.
More here:
Giovanni responds to Amanda Abbington’s latest claims
08:45
Jacob Stolworthy
In a statement addressing Amanda Abbington’s Channel 4 interview, in which she claimed there’s “50 hours” of Strictly rehearsal footage that “horrified” BBC producers, Giovanni Pernice’s spokesperson said:
“We are cooperating fully with the BBC’s review process. All parties have been asked to respect this process and to not speak to the media before it concludes. We will continue to respect the integrity of the investigation and believe it is the right forum for all the evidence to be reviewed.
“As part of the evidence-led review, the BBC has shared the allegations they have been able to substantiate with us. They do not resemble Amanda’s latest allegations, given to Channel 4, in any shape or form. Giovanni refutes any claim of threatening or abusive behaviour, and having provided the BBC with his evidence, is confident that the review will prove this.”
Amanda Abbington claims ‘Strictly’ pros sent her ominous texts about Giovanni
08:18
Jacob Stolworthy
Amanda Abbington has claimed Strictly’s pro dancerrs text her saying “I’m so sorry” after they discovered she was partnered with Giovanni Pernice ahead of last year’s series.
The Sherlock star told her fellow 2023 contestant Krishnan Guru-Murthy for a Channel 4 News interview, who replied: “That’s a really odd thing to do”.
A tearful Abbington said people warned her it would be “tough”, but that she thought she could handle it “because I’ve been around the block a bit, you know?”
Amanda Abbington claims she and her lawyer are trying to access 50 hours of rehearsal room footage
Wednesday 24 July 2024 21:20
Tom Murray
In a new interview with Krishnan Guru-Murthy for Channel 4 News, Abbington claimed that the show’s producers installed cameras in her rehearsal room after she raised concerns about Pernice.
“Every Friday, after the next sort of five weeks, I would get the producer saying, on the Friday, ‘We just watched the footage back, we are shocked and horrified, we’re so sorry’. That was to my face on the Friday when we would go in and do the camera rehearsal,” she said.
“It’s out there. There is evidence out there of what happened in that room and I’m not the one who’s blocking it. I’ve said anyone can watch it, but he [Giovanni] doesn’t want anyone to see it, which is quite telling if he’s got nothing to hide.”
Guru-Murthy, who appeared on the same season of Strictly as Abington, replied: “I heard, not from you, from somebody else, about an instance of, I suppose you’d call it humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature, is that right?”
A tearful Abbington replied: “Yeah. I mean, you know, one of the many things.”
Read more:
Piers Morgan to the rescue?
Wednesday 24 July 2024 12:20
Jacob Stolworthy
Piers Morgan has made an offer to Strictly Come Dancing producers after numerous scandals hit the much loved dancing competition.
The ex-Good Morning Britain broadcaster, 59, claimed he could “save the day” for the BBC programme amid investigations into ongoing bullying and abuse claims against multiple Strictly professional dancers.
Anthony Ogogo recalls ‘frustrating’ experience on ‘Strictly’
Wednesday 24 July 2024 10:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Boxer Anthony Ogogo has claimed his time on Strictly Come Dancing was “frustrating” and likened the stressful environment to a “pressure cooker”.
As the reality show continued to battle a scandal over the alleged treatment of participants, Ogogo, who appeared on the BBC show in 2015, said on Sky News: “It is a funny one, the Strictly experience. They got me on the show when I was injured. I had just had shoulder surgery.
“It was weird, they really encouraged me to do it, said the shoulder wouldn’t be an issue and then when I got on the show, the shoulder was the reason I left the show.”
Read more here:
Peter Andre shares verdict on ‘Strictly’ scandal
Wednesday 24 July 2024 09:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Peter Andre, who appeared on Strictly in 2016, has shared his opinion on the scandal currently rocking the BBC show.
“I’ve been reading a lot about what’s going on with Strictly at the moment but I can really only comment about my own experience on the show,” he wrote in his OK! column.
“I was surrounded by a great bunch of people. We don’t know what is true but accusations are still only accusations until they’re proven.
“On the other hand, things like this just shouldn’t be happening behind closed doors. It’s going to be a difficult time for Strictly and for all those involved.
“The show could be in the spotlight for a different reason this year.”
Pro dancers ‘upset they’ve been hung out to dry'
Wednesday 24 July 2024 08:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Strictly’s professional dancers are said to be angry that ex-celebrity partners are “hanging them out to dry”.
As the show’s scandal continues, a source told The Mirror: “It’s causing untold stress and mental anguish to so many of them as every day there are new accusations.
“Yes, one or two of the celebs in the last 20 years might have had a bad experience but they are in a tiny minority. The whole thing smacks of ambulance chasing.”
Recap: Richard Coles ‘not surprised’ by Strictly allegations
Tuesday 23 July 2024 22:12
Ellie Muir
Former contestant Reverend Richard Coles has said he is “not entirely surprised” after allegations emerged about the treatment of contestants on the popular BBC show.
Watch here:
Strictly judge Craig Revel Horwood speaks out on ‘shock’ of scandal engulfing BBC reality series
Tuesday 23 July 2024 21:13
Ellie Muir
Craig Revel Horwood has weighed in on the scandal currently engulfing the popular BBC reality series.
Read more below:
Recap: Amanda Abbington speaks out on ‘cruel’ and ‘abusive’ Strictly experience as Giovanni Pernice denies new claims
Tuesday 23 July 2024 20:05
Ellie Muir
The 50-year-old Sherlock actor called Pernice, “abusive, cruel, and mean”, stating that her mistreatment went “way beyond treading on my toe”. She also claimed that the dancer was blocking tapes of their rehearsals from being released.
Read more here:
Strictly in crisis: Every claim facing the under-fire BBC show
Tuesday 23 July 2024 18:01
Ellie Muir
It wasn’t until January that reports of behind-the-scenes issues manifested, with Abbington requesting footage of her “tense’ training sessions with Giovanni Pernice, one of Strictly’s best-loved pros. Since then, there has been a flurry of allegations about Pernice’s methods, something the Italian dancer has vehemently defended himself from.
Read more below:
What did Tim Davie say about the Strictly scandal?
Tuesday 23 July 2024 15:01
Ellie Muir
Speaking at a press conference for the release of the BBC’s annual report, the corporation’s director general, Tim Davie, addressed the controversy surrounding the show.
He said that the organisation “will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour” and that “the line should never be crossed”.
In his opening statement, Davie described Strictly as “a wonderful show” and said “hundreds of people” involved in the series – including crew and dancers –have had “a brilliant experience”.
He told Sky News: “At the same time, if someone feels there was something wrong or they want to talk about their experience, then of course we want them to raise that with us. And be in no doubt, we will take it seriously, listen and deal with it as appropriate.”
“So I hope that anyone who does want to talk to us, feels they can,” he continued. “It is vital, of course, that we have the right protocols and structures in place for the show. We keep these under review and we confirmed changes to these last week. It is essential these are right for everyone.
“Of course, 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. We will never tolerate unacceptable behaviour of any kind.”
Dame Esther Rantzen shares view on ‘Strictly' scandal
Tuesday 23 July 2024 12:30
Jacob Stolworthy
Dame Esther Rantzen, the broadcaster who appeared on Strictly in 2004, has said the series has “become technically much more difficult” and “inflated beyond its worth”.
She told Times Radio: “I can understand why producers want the dance to be lovely, but actually, this is an entertainment show about amateurs.”
“The only worry I have is why it took so long for these complaints to surface,” Rantzen added.
“And if I were a producer, and I have been a producer in my time, that’s the question I would be asking myself with a bit of concern. I mean, I’m sure the steps they’ve taken will be effective, but they do need to ask themselves why nobody dares make a complaint when things go wrong.”
Janette Manrara addresses Will Bayley claim
Tuesday 23 July 2024 11:30
Jacob Stolworthy
Former Strictly professional dancer Janette Manrara, who now presents the companion show It Takes Two, has addressed claims made by her former celebrity partner, Paralympian Will Bayley.
Bayley sustained a life-changing knee injury after Manrara made him redo a jump following what she described as a “rubbish” attempt – and, while he said he “didn’t have an issue” with Manrara, he attributed the blame to the pressure the show’s producers put on the professionals.
More here:
Awkward Graziano Di Prima and Zara McDermott interview resurfaces
Tuesday 23 July 2024 09:30
Mandip Ahdan
In the wake of Strictly pro Graziano Di Prima’s admission that he kicked celebrity partner Zara McDermott during rehearsals for last year’s series, old footage of the pair has been dredged up.
This includes an interview conducted by GraziaUK, who asked McDermott: “If you had to dance with another dancer for a week, who would you pick?”
The documentary presenter and formr Love Island star immediately replied: “I know who I’d pick.”
However, Di Prima initially refused to pick another contestant he would like to dance with and walked off in mock anger. But when he returned, he expressed surprise that McDermott came up with an answer so quickly, leaving her to defend herself.
James Jordan responds after Ola Jordan ‘bullying’ claims resurface
Tuesday 23 July 2024 08:30
Jacob Stolworthy
Former Strictly pro James Jordan has appeared to mock the resurfacing of explorer Steve Backshall’s alleged complaints about his wife, Ola Jordan.
Backshall was partnered with Ola in 2014 and, at the time, it was reported he raised concerns about their rehearsals with production, leading to a chaperone being assigned to them.
Please help me!!! https://t.co/xJoR7MmYk9
— James Jordan (@The_JamesJordan) July 22, 2024
Strictly bosses ‘considering axing’ five dancers
Tuesday 23 July 2024 07:30
Jacob Stolworthy
It’s being reported that Strictly producers are considering dropping five of the show’s longest-standing dancers in the wake of the scandal that’s rocked the show in recent months.
The professional line-up was announced last month and the annoucement arrived without Giovanni Pernice, who was dropped after being embroiled in a behind-the-scenes controversy with Amanda Abbington.
Weeks later, Graziano Di Prima was dropped after admitting to kicking Zara McDermott in rehearsals during last year’s series.
MailOnline reports that bosses are considering bringing a roster of new talent for next year’s series as they allegedly feel some of the show’s longest-standing dancers feel “entitled and untouchable”.
Find out which dancers are returning for this years series here:
Janette Manrara addresses Will Bayley claim
Monday 22 July 2024 22:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Former Strictly professional dancer Janette Manrara, who now presents the companion show It Takes Two, has addressed claims made by her former celebrity partner, Paralympian Will Bayley.
Bayley sustained a life-changing knee injury after Manrara made him redo a jump following what she described as a “rubbish” attempt – and, while he said he “didn’t have an issue” with Manrara, he attributed the blame to the pressure the show’s producers put on the professionals.
More here:
Graziano ‘regrets’ kicking Zara McDermott
Monday 22 July 2024 21:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima has been dropped from Strictly over “events” he “deeply regrets”.
He appeared on the series with Zara McDermott in 2023 and, earlier this month, a video of a behind-the-scenes incident is believed to have been brought to the attention of the BBC.
The footage has not been made public, and the circumstances surrounding it are unknown, but it’s alleged that it shows Di Prima kicking the documentary presenter and former Love Island star.
His spokesman said: “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.”
Giovanni’s family defends former Strictly pro
Monday 22 July 2024 20:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Giovanni Pernice’s family have issued a fierce defence of the star as he faces allegations of “abusive and threatening behaviour”.
It comes after speculation the 33-year-old had quit Strictly Come Dancing with the BBC understood to be “scouring years of footage” to look into the complaints.
The 33-year-old has denied all allegations of “abusive and threatening behaviour” in his teaching style, saying he is only “passionate and competitive”.
Ex-Strictly contestant ‘not surprised’ by scandal
Monday 22 July 2024 18:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Former Strictly Come Dancing contestant Reverend Richard Coles has said he is “not entirely surprised” after allegations emerged about the treatment of contestants on the popular BBC show.
“Sometimes contestants coming onto the show are surprised and dismayed at how intense that relationship can get in rehearsal spaces,” Reverend Coles, who appeared on the show in 2017, told Good Morning Britain.
Strictly pro Nadiya Bychkova denies making complaint
Monday 22 July 2024 17:00
Jacob Stolworthy
Strictly professional Nadiya Bychkova has shut down speculation that she has made a complaint about the BBC show.
Last week, a MailOnline report claimed that Bychkova, 34, had contacted the BBC to discuss her concerns about the show.
However, the dancer, who joined Strictly in 2017 and has been paired with stars including news presenter Dan Walker, footballer David James and Blue singer Lee Ryan, denied the rumours in a social media post.
Graziano admits to kicking Zara McDermott
Monday 22 July 2024 11:30
Jacob Stolworthy
Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima has been dropped from Strictly over “events” he “deeply regrets”.
He appeared on the series with Zara McDermott in 2023 and, earlier this month, a video of a behind-the-scenes incident is believed to have been brought to the attention of the BBC.
The footage has not been made public, and the circumstances surrounding it are unknown, but it’s alleged that it shows Di Prima kicking the documentary presenter and former Love Island star.
His spokesman said: “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.”