Anton Du Beke appears to have subtly hinted at his thoughts of the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing saga following Graziano Di Prima’s shock axe.
Professional dancer Di Prima was impacted by the BBC investigation after it was confirmed last week he had been removed from the competition series, not long after his co-star Giovanni Pernice was met with the same situation.
Professional dancer-turned-judge Du Beke, 58, seems to have stood by Pernice since his celebrity partner of last year, Amanda Abbginton, first make claims about him after exiting the 2023 series early.
Du Beke has continued to appear in shows and on tour with Pernice, 33, and has accompanied him on interviews and other television appearances. As recently as Friday he was seen on social media laughing joking with Pernice during their tour.
However, he seems to have taken a very different approach with Di Prima and has unfollowed him on Instagram, reports The Mirror, suggesting he doesn’t want to support the Italian choreographer in the same way he’s backed Pernice.
Di Prima, 30, admitted to having “kicked” Zara McDermott, 27, in rehearsals while he was partnered with her last year.
However, he has denied other accusations made against him. Pernice has continued to deny claims made about his “abusive” behaviour, which began after Abbington, 52, left the show “on medical grounds” in October last year.
She went on to claim she was diagnosed with PTSD following her Strictly stint and it was reported more of Pernice’s former Strictly partners had backed her claims about his “militant” training approach.
The BBC launched an investigation which seems to have lifted a lid on many controversies thought to be taking place behind the scenes of the popular family show.
After footage was reviewed as part of the probe, it was decided Di Prima would be sacked from the show, but reports also claim a third Strictly star, who is no longer a part of the series, is also involved in the investigation.
The saga continued on Friday as Du Beke himself was dragged into headlines after reports suggest a historic complaint made against him in 2009 could resurface given the new investigation.
It came from the fact Du Beke issued an apology back in 2009 after calling his dance partner of that year, actress Laila Rouass a “p**i” after she’d had a spray tan.
The Mirror reports Rouass’ complaint leaves Du Beke likely to be embroiled in the current Strictly storm.
Du Beke said at the time of the complaint: “I must say immediately and categorically that I am not a racist and that I do not use racist language.
“During the course of rehearsals Laila and I have exchanged a great deal of banter entirely in jest, and two weeks ago there was an occasion when this term was used between the two of us.
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“There was no racist intent whatsoever but I accept that it is a term which causes offence and I regret my use of it, which was done without thought or consideration of how others would react. I apologise unreservedly for any offence my actions might have caused.”
The actress, who has an Indian mother and a Moroccan father, accepted his apology.
She said at the time: “It was a situation which happened that we have moved on from and I accept his apology.”
The BBC have declined to comment on the ongoing reports, but stated “We will not be commenting on individuals or engaging with speculation.
“However, as we have said previously we will always listen if people want to make us aware of something or raise it with us directly and we have appropriate procedures and processes in place to manage this.”