Strictly Come Dancing fans have threatened to boycott the show as the drama from the misconduct probe rumbles on.
Professional dancer Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week after he was accused of ‘hitting and kicking’ his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals.
It came just weeks after Giovanni Pernice, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celebrity partners.
Viewers have now claimed the series has ‘had its day’ after 20 years on air and believe it ‘should be axed.’
One person shared their thoughts on X, questioning whether it’s best to pause #Strictly for a year due to recent allegations or proceed as planned.
Others added: ‘I don’t think we can watch Strictly in the same light now. Maybe 20 years was enough’; ‘Strictly is toxic environment at the BBC we knew that, driven on getting results & bullying, how any viewers find this show still to be entertaining is shocking, time to axe.’
‘Well it proves I was right about strictly a few years ago but they check it out no they didn’t but at least I knew and of course the two presenters are going to protect the show because they get paid a lot for presenting the show anyway I was right and I would never watch it again.’
‘It just about says it all about the BBC, they have allegation after allegation about Strictly Come Dancing yet instead of taking it seriously and cancelling the show they just fudge the issue and put a few people to watch the training, pathetic.’
‘We decided not to watch #StrictlyCome Dancing in our house, last year. It was only because we really disliked one of the celebrities and didn’t want to watch her waltzing around in sparkling sequins for weeks. Thought we would watch this time but maybe not. More bullies allegedly.’
‘Surely it’s over for #StrictlyComeDancing Your paid professionals physically abusing contestants surely blows say credibility out of the water.’
MailOnline exclusively revealed Amanda Abbington will finally break her silence as she returns to TV for the first time since quitting Strictly for an appearance on Lorraine next week.
The actress, 50, will be a guest on the show next Thursday where she will be interviewed by stand-in host Christine Lampard while Lorraine Kelly is on holiday for the summer break.
She abruptly left Strictly in October citing ‘personal issues’ and hasn’t been seen on screen since, even quitting social media last month in the wake of her former dance partner Giovanni’s sacking.
A TV source told MailOnline: ‘Amanda will be on Lorraine next week.
‘She has been booked to promote her upcoming play When It Happens To You but obviously, with everything that’s been happening, Christine will be asking Amanda how she is amid the scandal.
‘Given the BBC investigation is ongoing, the show will have to abide by those restrictions.
‘It’s the first time Amanda has returned to live television since she quit Strictly, everyone is looking forward to her appearance because who knows what she might say.’
On Tuesday it was reported a third Strictly Come Dancing professional has been named as a ‘person of interest’ in the wake of abuse and bullying allegations overshadowing the show.
The Sun reports that a third professional dancer – who is no longer on the show – is also part of the probe into the BBC series.
A source told the publication: ‘A professional’s name has come up, alongside Giovanni and Graziano.
‘He is no longer part of the show but he has been named as a person of interest. Conversations are ongoing and there are more people who need to be spoken to.
‘A dossier is being compiled which will be handed over to the BBC. What is becoming clear is that there appears to be a more widespread issue over the conduct of some of the professionals in training.
‘And the more people who come forward, the clearer the picture is becoming.’
The BBC has been contacted by MailOnline for comment.
On Tuesday Strictly bosses announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers, after Graziano’s shock sacking from the show.
Now, bosses have announced that they would be introducing ‘additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing.’
A statement from the corporation said: ‘Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.’
The new measures include a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers.
A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer will both be appointed to fulfil these added duties, and further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, said: ‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
‘Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.’
The announcement comes just hours after former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal.
She wrote on Instagram on Tuesday morning that while much of her time on Strictly ‘was everything I could have dreamt of’ inside the training room with Graziano there were ‘particular incidents which are incredibly distressing’.
‘I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports,’ Zara began. ‘Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.’
‘When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it.’
‘I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.’
‘And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to worth with.
‘However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredible distressing to watch.
Zara explained that she didn’t report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash.
Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni was taking place.
‘I have wrested with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming,’ Zara wrote on Instagram.
‘But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.
‘The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up especially in a a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I’ve seen through working with countless women on my documentaries.
‘I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as well as everyone who has reached out to me – it really truly means a lot. Love, always. Zara.’
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Source: CNN
