Scandals and Complaints Shake Up the Hit BBC Show
Strictly Come Dancing is facing a crisis as reports suggest that the show is finding it challenging to sign female celebrities following the scandals involving dancers Giovanni Pernice and Graziano Di Prima. The conduct of these two Italian dancers in the rehearsal room has caused a stir.
New Measures Introduced to Protect Competitors
After Graziano Di Prima was dismissed for alleged misconduct towards his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, including spitting at and kicking her during training sessions, and Giovanni Pernice was investigated for his treatment of partner Amanda Abbington, the show's bosses have implemented new measures. These include having a production team member present in rehearsal rooms at all times and providing increased welfare support to the participants.
Famous Women Hesitant to Participate
According to reports, the fallout from these incidents has made well-known women wary of taking part in the show. A TV executive mentioned that attracting female celebrities has become more challenging as word spreads about the difficulties faced on the show, which has led to swearing and frustration among participants.
Additional Pro Dancers Under Investigation
Following the probe into Strictly, a third professional dancer, no longer associated with the show, has been identified as a "person of interest." This individual's name has been shared with legal representatives, and conversations are ongoing as more people are being brought into the discussion. A dossier is being compiled for the BBC, indicating a broader issue with the conduct of some professionals during training.
Zara McDermott Speaks Out
Zara McDermott, who was at the center of one of the scandals involving Graziano Di Prima, recently shared her experience on Instagram. She described her time on Strictly as a "dream come true" but revealed that her experience in the training room was different. Zara expressed her initial fears about speaking out but ultimately found the strength to share her story with the BBC, mentioning how distressing it was to watch video footage of certain incidents.
