Strictly Come Dancing, one of the BBC’s biggest shows, has just turned 20. But there isn’t much to celebrate, as this dancing competition limps from one scandal to another, demonstrating that BBC management have two left feet.
A third Strictly Come Dancing professional has reportedly been named as a ‘person of interest’ in the wake of abuse and bullying allegations that are overshadowing the show.
Graziano Di Prima was axed from the show last week over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott during last year’s series.
It came just weeks after the pneumatic Italian powerhouse – Giovanni Pernice, a man with a six pack so robust you could eat your breakfast off it, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted, over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Sherlock star Amanda Abbington, and two other former celeb partners.
Mark Dolan delivers his verdict on the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing scandal
GB News
Meanwhile historic footage has emerged of former Strictly professional dancer James Jordan threatening to drag his 2006 partner, Casualty actress Georgina Bouzova, across the floor, and screaming at her during rehearsals if she didn’t stand on one leg. It now looks like the BBC itself hasn’t got a leg to stand on.
On Thursday morning, bosses at the broadcaster met with current professional dancer Nadiya Bychkova, who has also made a complaint about the show. It follows her acrimonious split from fellow Strictly pro Kai Widdrington in June. Because don’t forget, they’re all sh***ing each other – it’s amazing they have any time to dance.
And in yet another unwelcome development for the corporation, dancer-turned-judge Anton Du Beke is now facing a possible legal battle over historic allegations from 2009, when he was paired with TV star Laila Rouass. The blood sweat and tears being reported here are more like a gory horror film, than a shiny family entertainment show.
How can our tax funded national broadcaster be asleep at the wheel for so long, as a picture emerges of a truly toxic culture on the show, in which the contestants are having a miserable time, suffering mental and physical abuse, when the whole thing is supposed to be a fun exercise in improving your dance skills. The outfits might be covered in sequins, and be frilly and sparkly, but behind-the-scenes, it sounds more like full metal jacket.
In the end, it looks like the age old problem of TV – if a show or a star is delivering the ratings, then bad behaviour is overlooked. We saw it with ITV and their appalling handling of the Phillip Schofield scandal, in which he had a legal but ill judged relationship with a young employee on the show.
We saw it on the Jeremy Kyle show, with ordinary people’s lives being ruined, in a quest for ratings. And we saw how the BBC protected the monstrous Jimmy Savile, when he was their most bankable star.
Now this scandal is not on the same level, but these dancers, who have come from a different field, like acting or sport, have spoken about real mental and physical trauma. I’ve never wanted to do Strictly – the agent has suggested it, but I’ve got two left feet.
I have no timing and I’ve got about as much rhythm as Stonehenge. Plus going on that show is not good for your marriage. The curse of Strictly would no doubt strike. Those female dancers are only human. And now I’m glad I’ve never done it.
This scandal-hit show is a huge embarrassment for our national broadcaster, which has a duty of care to the stars involved. This debacle will be seen by many as a total failure of management.
And it’s not like these commissioning editors don’t get paid enough money as it is, with their six figure salaries. And now they risk having to axe one of their most popular shows.
I don’t want to take sides – it takes two to tango, but if viewers think that the dancers are having a miserable time, they will Waltz off to another channel, in quick step. Less cha-cha and more Ta-ta.
I like the show and want it to stay. But right now, it’s murder on the dance floor. This time, the curse of Strictly could be fatal.