Peter Andre breaks silence on Strictly scandal

Peter Andre has broken his silence on the ongoing Strictly Come Dancing scandal. 

The show has been engulfed in a growing crisis in recent weeks, with multiple stars making accusations of abuse and bullying towards their partners during their time on the BBC show.

The singer, 51, who appeared on the 2015 series of the BBC dance show, has opened up on his personal experience, admitting these things shouldn’t happen ‘behind closed doors’. 

Now, writing in his OK! column, Peter said: ‘I’ve been reading a lot about what’s going on with Strictly at the moment but I can really only comment about my own experience on the show.

‘I was surrounded by a great bunch of people. We don’t know what is true but accusations are still only accusations until they’re proven.

Peter Andre has broken his silence on the Strictly Come Dancing scandal and says this shouldn’t happen ‘behind closed doors’

Writing in his OK! column, the singer, 51, said: ‘I’ve been reading about what’s going on with Strictly at the moment but I can really only comment about my own experience on the show.’

‘On the other hand, things like this just shouldn’t be happening behind closed doors. It’s going to be a difficult time for Strictly and for all those involved.

‘The show could be in the spotlight for a different reason this year.’

Strictly is currently facing its biggest crisis in its 20 years since it returned to the BBC in its current form as a wave of complaints from past celebrity contestants have been made in recent months.

Professional Graziano Di Prima, 30, was axed from the show last week following claims he allegedly hit and spat at his dancing partner Zara McDermott, 27, during rehearsals .

Weeks before, Giovanni Pernice , 33, was suspended while a BBC probe is conducted over claims of off-camera misconduct made by Amanda Abbington, 50, and two other former celeb partners.

James Jordan has also poured fuel on the flames of the Strictly bullying row after Steve Backshall complained that his dancing partner ‘bullied’ him while on the programme in 2014.

The former Strictly pro took to social media to make a jibe at the seasoned television explorer after it emerged that he lodged a complaint with the BBC over professional dancer Ola’s ‘rude and impatient manner’.

The show has been engulfed in a growing crisis in recent weeks, with multiple stars making accusations of abuse and bullying towards their partners during their time on the BBC show

It was followed by Graziano Di Prima ‘s sacking last month over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals. Graziano has apologised for kicking his former partner and added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it’

Responding to a Strictly fan’s mocking disbelief that the hardened explorer – who has dived with Great White sharks and wrestled poisonous snakes in his career – could be ‘reduced to tears’ by the 5ft 4in dancer, James joked: ‘Please help me!!’

MailOnline has revealed the show’s hosts Tess Daly and Claudia Winkleman could begin the new series with an apology for alleged abusive behaviour suffered by celebs in a desperate attempt to save the show.

BBC bosses are said to be desperate to draw ‘an immediate line’ under the scandal when it begins in September and sources have said it ‘can’t start quick enough’.

They said the presenters may be asked to address it at the start of the first show and could even say sorry after complaints from Amanda Abbington, Zara McDermott and Steve Backshall.

The insider told us: ‘This year’s Strictly is the 20th anniversary and it will be a celebration of the show and its history.

‘The BBC will want to draw an immediate line under what has happened. The show can’t start soon enough.’

It comes amid claims a host of Strictly celeb contestants have set up a ‘secret support group’ where they have shared their own horror stories and corroborated one another’s claims.

But Tess and Claudia may not address the sudden departures of Giovanni and Graziano.

Graziano admits kicking Zara once in a rehearsal but Giovanni has branded allegations about his teaching methods ‘simply false’. His supporters say he has high standards.

‘The BBC won’t want to go there’, the source claimed.

The series’ launch show where pairings will be revealed is pencilled in for September 4, with live shows beginning two weeks later.

It will then run for 13 weeks until the final in December.