The BBC's flagship dance programme Strictly Come Dancing faces another serious crisis as one of its stars has been arrested on suspicion of rape following a corporation event.
The Arrest and Investigation
A male performer from Strictly Come Dancing was arrested last month following allegations made by a woman who attended a BBC event. While legal restrictions prevent naming the individual, authorities confirmed the arrest relates to an incident that occurred in Hertfordshire.
The victim, who wasn't a contestant or professional dancer on the show, met the man through his involvement with Strictly Come Dancing. Hertfordshire Police's Public Protection team is leading the ongoing investigation, stating that given the sensitive nature of the allegations, further comment would be inappropriate at this time.
This marks the second such incident to hit the Bafta-winning programme within three months. In August, another unnamed male star was arrested on suspicion of rape and possession of non-consensual intimate images.
Mounting Troubles for Strictly
An insider described the situation as "an absolute nightmare for the BBC - a heartbreaking situation", revealing that executives had worked extensively to stabilise the programme and minimise scandals before this latest development emerged.
The arrest on October 13th comes during what should have been a celebratory 23rd year for the family entertainment show. Instead, Strictly has been plagued by multiple controversies including drug allegations, bullying complaints, and behavioural issues among cast members.
Recent series have seen several high-profile incidents: Wynne Evans faced dismissal after accusations of inappropriate behaviour, Giovanni Pernice was investigated over bullying claims, and Graziano Di Prima admitted to kicking documentary maker Zara McDermott during training sessions.
BBC's Response and Welfare Measures
The broadcaster has implemented significant duty of care improvements ahead of the 2024 series, including:
- Chaperones monitoring training sessions
- Production team members present during all rehearsals
- Enhanced support for celebrities and professional dancers
- Appointment of dedicated Welfare Producers
- Additional training for production staff
A BBC spokesperson maintained that commenting on an ongoing police investigation would be inappropriate, while confirming the corporation takes the matter seriously and will provide support to all affected parties.
The latest scandal follows closely the departure of long-time hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman, who announced their exit just days after the October arrest, though no connection has been officially established between these events.
