Strictly dancers face extra allegations of bullying as disaster deepens

There was more drama for Strictly Come Dancing today as Amanda Abbington broke her silence to claim that Giovanni Pernice was ‘abusive’ to her. Graziano Di Prima is now battling further allegations that he was ‘aggressive’ towards Zara McDermott. 

Meanwhile a female dancer now faces allegations of bullying as the crisis continues to engulf the hit BBC show. 

The scandal first made headlines Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the upcoming series last month over claims he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s competition.

Speaking in her first interview since quitting Strictly Come Dancing in October, Amanda Abbington, 50, said Giovanni’s behaviour was ‘unnecessary.’

Amanda abruptly left the BBC show citing ‘personal issues’ and hasn’t been seen on screen since, even quitting social media last month in the wake of her former dance partner’s sacking.

Giovanni, 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is underway over allegations made by Ms Abbington and two other former celebrity partners. 

A spokesperson for Gio said: ‘Giovanni refutes these allegations and denies any accusations of abusive or threatening behaviour. He has provided substantive evidence to the investigation and he remains fully confident of clearing his name.’

Meanwhile, more shocking details of Graziano’s alleged ‘aggressive’ treatment of Zara have since been revealed. 

Speaking to The Sun, a source claimed the dancer got frighteningly angry at the former Love Island star.

They said: ‘Zara ran to the toilets and locked herself in. He chased after her and was screaming abuse. He was aggressive and called her nasty names. It was really scary.’ 

The source also claimed his aggressive outbursts could be heard through doors a she screamed at the 27-year-old.

The Daily Mirror reports that the household name’s allegations do not include physical abuse. 

A source said: ‘The man in question felt very much victimised by the behaviour of his Strictly partner.

‘He alleges that on several occasions she flew into a real fury when he couldn’t get the steps right, and on one occasion screamed full in his face. They rowed every single day.’ 

In an interview with The Sun, Amanda said: ‘I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.’

She continued: ‘I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.’ 

‘It’s insane what has happened to me, with the death threats and backlash. I know the BBC have known about his behaviour for years, people had complained about him and flagged his behaviour to producers in the past and nothing was done. It wasn’t an isolated experience with me. I should never ever have danced with him.’ 

MailOnline has contacted the BBC and Giovanni’s representative for comment. 

Sources previously claimed Amanda, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘compared notes’ about their time working with Giovanni on the show.

Amanda quit Strictly due to ‘personal reasons’ before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD.

Meanwhile Ranvir complained about Giovanni to producers back in 2020, during their time on the show, while Laura said she ‘cried every day’ and felt ‘uncomfortable’ while dancing with him in 2016. 

The BBC are currently believed to be scouring through nine years of Strictly footage to confirm or deny claims from three celebrities.

It is claimed three past contestants are compiling dossiers to hand to their £700-an-hour lawyers before sending it to BBC bosses. 

Giovanni is working with combative legal firm Schillings and is expected to put forward transcripts to prove he acted fairly. 

A source close to the trio previously told MailOnline: ‘They are very unhappy with the way the BBC are handling this.

‘It’s one thing saying they are standing by him, but they feel as if Giovanni is being promoted and pushed centre stage in a bid to make them go away and keep quiet. It’s a kick in the teeth.

‘One of the reasons they wanted to meet up was to try and work on a way forward because they have no intention of just backing down and letting this just fade away.

‘All three have been impacted in different ways by what happened and they’ve agreed to speak again about how best they can get something done about it because they are genuinely worried about want went on and the fact someone else could end up experiencing what they went through.

‘But right now there’s a feeling that Gio is pretty much untouchable – especially given he is so close to Anton who thinks the world of him and can’t believe the stuff he’s been hearing claimed about his mate.’ 

MailOnline contacted BBC for comment at the time. 

Fellow Italian dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked from the programme last week after he was accused of kicking and spitting at former Love Island star Zara McDermott. 

On Tuesday it was reported a third Strictly Come Dancing professional has been named as a ‘person of interest’ in the wake of abuse and bullying allegations overshadowing the show.

Strictly bosses then announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers, after Graziano’s shock sacking from the show.

Now, bosses have announced that they would be introducing ‘additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing.’

A statement from the corporation said: ‘Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.’

The new measures include a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers. 

A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer will both be appointed to fulfil these added duties, and further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.

Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, said: ‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.

‘Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.’

The announcement comes just hours after former Love Island star Zara broke her silence on the scandal.

She wrote on Instagram on Tuesday morning that while much of her time on Strictly ‘was everything I could have dreamt of’ inside the training room with Graziano there were ‘particular incidents which are incredibly distressing’.

‘I felt it was right that I post something regarding the recent media reports,’ Zara began. ‘Strictly is one of the most magical shows on TV and one that I dreamt of being on since I was a little girl.’ 

‘When I was invited to be a contestant on the show it really was a childhood dream come true. I fully understood the level of commitment and hard work that Strictly was going to be and I dedicated everything to it.’

‘I am a resilient person and I was fully prepared to put in whatever it took.’ 

‘And so much of my Strictly experience was everything I could have dreamt of. The entire production team and everyone behind the scenes as well as my fellow contestants were so amazing to worth with.

‘However, my experience inside the training room was very different. Reports have been made about my treatment on the show and there were witnesses to some events, as well as videos of particular incidents which are incredible distressing to watch.

Zara explained that she didn’t report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash. 

Instead it was junior production staff who came forward to share what they had witnessed as the investigation into pro dancer Giovanni was taking place.

‘I have wrested with the fear of opening up – I was scared about public backlash, I was scared about my future, I was scared of victim shaming,’ Zara wrote on Instagram.

‘But after a lot of conversations with those I love, I’ve gained the strength to face these fears, and when I was asked to speak to the BBC, I spoke candidly about my time on the show.

‘The culture within our society makes it difficult for people to speak up especially in a a world where social media opinions and voices are so loud. This is something I’ve seen through working with countless women on my documentaries.

‘I would like to thank the BBC and BBC Studios for their swift action and incredibly high level of support, as well as everyone who has reached out to me – it really truly means a lot. Love, always. Zara.’

There has been some speculation among those close to the show that the growing scandal could turn into Strictly’s own Me Too moment. 

A source told MailOnline on Thursday that the male dancers are ‘very concerned and worried how this is going to affect them’ and are said to be ‘feeling like it’s the new #MeToo’.  

Richard Madeley weighed in on the scandals on Thursday, admitting he wasn’t surprised by the allegations.

Hosting Good Morning Britain alongside Charlotte Hawkins, Richard confessed he knows lots of people who have been involved in the hit dance show and they have been talking about these issues for years.

‘I have to say the people that I know involved in that programme all talk about these issues and they say they’ve all known for years and years and years but the lid has been kept on it and now that lid is coming off,’ he said.

On Tuesday night it was revealed that a third professional dancer on the show has been named as a ‘person of interest’ in the wake of the abuse and bullying allegations.