Strictly Come Dancing, the beloved BBC show that has been a staple of British television for 20 years, is facing its biggest scandal yet. The programme, known for its glitter and family-friendly appeal, has been rocked by allegations of bullying and misconduct, leading to the firing of professional dancer Graziano Di Prima and the benching of Giovanni Pernice.
The controversy began in October 2023 when actress Amanda Abbington, known for her role in BBC's Sherlock, quit the show citing personal reasons. She later engaged law firm Carter Ruck to pursue a complaint against her dance partner Giovanni Pernice, accusing him of inappropriate and bullying behaviour. Pernice denies the allegations and is cooperating with a BBC investigation.
This week, Di Prima was dismissed after the BBC received rehearsal footage showing him kicking his partner, Love Island star Zara McDermott. Di Prima does not recall the incident but acknowledges it happened and has apologised. The BBC has since boosted welfare resources on the show, but further revelations are expected as other women have reportedly raised concerns.
Former contestants have reflected on their experiences, with Richard Coles, a celebrity priest who competed in 2017, describing Strictly as 'a wonderful show with a dark heart.' Industry insiders suggest the scandal stems from a shift away from the original vision of the programme, which once celebrated amateurism but has become increasingly competitive.
Jane Lush, the former BBC entertainment boss who greenlit Strictly in 2004, says the cutthroat nature of professional dancing has 'seeped in through the backdoor.' The BBC has pledged to examine concerns with 'care, fairness and sensitivity' and says it takes duty of care extremely seriously.
