A male celebrity from the hit BBC programme Strictly Come Dancing has been arrested by police on suspicion of rape, plunging the corporation into a fresh crisis.
The Arrest and Allegation
The man was taken into custody in London on Monday, October 13, following an allegation made by a woman. The alleged incident is said to have occurred in Hertfordshire at some point during 2024.
It is understood the woman met the individual through his involvement with Strictly Come Dancing, though she was not a contestant or a professional dancer on the show. For legal reasons, the identity of the arrested man has not been made public.
BBC's Reaction and Ongoing Investigation
A source close to the scandal-hit programme described the situation as an "absolute nightmare for the BBC", calling it a "heartbreaking situation." The source revealed that bosses had worked hard to steady the ship and create a scandal-free environment, making this new development particularly damaging.
The BBC is treating the matter with the utmost seriousness and is prepared to offer support to all those involved. A spokesperson for the corporation stated, "It would not be appropriate to comment on an ongoing police investigation."
Another source indicated to The Sun that while the 2026 series is still scheduled to go ahead, safeguarding measures are now a paramount concern for all BBC productions.
Police Statement and Next Steps
Hertfordshire Police confirmed the arrest in an official statement. "A man was released on police bail under investigation having been arrested in London on Monday 13 October on suspicion of rape," a spokesperson said.
The force confirmed that the allegations relate to an incident in Hertfordshire during 2024 and that inquiries by officers from the Public Protection team are ongoing. They declined to comment further, citing the sensitive nature of the allegations.
If you've been the victim of sexual assault, you can access help and resources via www.rapecrisis.org.uk or by calling the national telephone helpline on 0808 802 9999.
