Strictly professional dancers head to rehearsals amid present’s misconduct scandal

The Strictly Come Dancing professional dancers appeared in good spirits as they headed to rehersals for the new series in Camden on Thursday.

The professionals looked thrilled to be back at work despite the show descending into chaos in recent weeks amid various abuse probes and misconduct scandals.

Nancy Xu put on an animted display as she gave a thumbs up to the camera while arriving at Cecil Sharp House. 

The dancer was all smiles as she posed in a black midi dress with a matching leather jacket and white ankle boots.

Dianne Buswell looked radiant as ever in a black plunging vest top which she paired with light blue jeans.

Letting her locks fall loose down her shoulders, the dancer completed her outfit with a brown handbag and cream sandals. 

Lauren Oakley put on a leggy display in a pair of black skintight shorts which she wore with a Rolling Stones T-shirt.

Also in attendance at rehearsals was Nadia Bychkova who kept it casual in a pair of blue skinny jeans and a black leather jacket.

Johannes Radebe also opted for a laid back look as he sported a blue oversized shirt and black shorts with a matching cap. 

Michelle Tsiakkas opted for a black bomber jacket along with matching tracksuit bottoms and a bright red top.

Strictly stalwart Katya Jones arrived to rehearsals in a red jacket which she paired with black leggings and white-rimmed sunglasses. 

It comes following reports that Amanada Abbington quit the show last year citing ‘personal reasons’ before reports quickly surfaced that she had demanded footage of her rehearsals, claiming the show and Giovanni Pernice had left her with PTSD.

Meanwhile, dancer Graziano Di Prima was axed from the upcoming series of the show over claims he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during last year’s competition.

Appearing on Lorraine on Thursday, Amanda claimed she had friction with Giovanni almost immediately after rehearsals began and she voiced concerns about him with producers on day three.

Asked when she first made it clear something was wrong, Amanda said: ‘Week one, third day. I’ve got texts to the producer on day three going, ‘this is awful, he hates me, I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. I’m trying my best.’ That was the first week.’

The Sherlock actress has previously described the rehearsal room with Giovanni as a ‘toxic’ envirornment.

She added: ‘I’ve been going into rehearsal rooms for 32 years. I know what rehearsal rooms are supposed to be like.

‘You have a duty of care to bring into that rehearsal room passion, sensitivity and kindess. That wasn’t extended to me and I said, I don’t think this is right.’

Asked whether there were further discussions at that stage, she said: ‘Many, many.’

The couple were paired for the show last year but Amanada left after week six – and she has since made a series of allegations about her time on the programme.

But Amanda also said this was an ‘anomaly’ and she did not want the show to end. She said: ‘I love Strictly, I think this is just an anomaly. I always wanted to do that show. I think it’s such a beautiful British institution and I think everybody loves it.

‘It’s like when I was a kid watching Morecambe and Wise. It’s the same thing. You tune in on Saturday night to watch Strictly. Most people on that show are wonderful and I’ve made some good friends on that show, and I don’t want it to end.

‘I want it to have a beautiful extended life because it’s Saturday night entertainment. I don’t know what the answer is, I don’t, because it’s not up to me.’

Explaining why she spoke out despite an ongoing BBC investigation, Abbington said: ‘I felt I had to speak up because I don’t want people to be frightened of speaking about if they’re being bullied or if they feel they are in a difficult situation or if they feel like they are not being heard.

‘I do feel I have the right to say it was a toxic environment that I was in while I was rehearsing, because it was. I know what happened in the room, and it would be remiss of me if I was to just say ‘it’s fine, I don’t want to talk about it’.

‘It’s important that women and men, because men get bullied as well, it’s important that women feel they are in a safe space where they can stand up and go ‘this is inappropriate behaviour and it needs to be recognised’.

‘And I don’t want women to feel like they can’t speak out.’ 

Giovanni has denied the claims made against him.  

It comes following reports on Sunday, that Graziano was accused of ‘chasing’ after Zara McDermott while ‘screaming abuse,’ leaving her so frightened that she ‘locked herself in a toilet.’

He has apologised for kicking his former partner, but added other allegations do not align with ‘how he remembers it.’

According to the reports, shock details have now been revealed which allege he ‘called her nasty names, asked if she had gained weight and was forceful’ leaving her ‘visibly demoralised’ and ‘in tears.’ 

Zara herself previously claimed in a statement there had been ‘particular incidents inside the training room which were incredibly distressing.’ 

She did not report the incidents at the time as she was ‘scared’ of backlash, instead it was junior production staff who came forward. 

An insider told The Sun: ‘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.  

‘You could constantly hear Graziano screaming but when production staff opened the door he would stop. He’d say, “How the f*** are you not getting this right?”, and “Why are we even bothering to come here?”. Zara was visibly demoralised.’

The insider added that Graziano would apologise each time and ‘promise to not do it again.’

On Thursday, Mark Borkowski, a spokesperson for Graziano, told BBC News: ‘There is never a time when kicking, or any sense of that is right. And he knows that.

‘He knows he’s made a mistake. He apologised at the time.’

Referring to the media reports, Mark added: ‘But he doesn’t recognise some of the issues surrounding it. The descriptions of what is being commented online, and how he remembers it, are not aligned.’

‘He [Graziano] has literally cut himself off from civilisation. I think that’s a wise thing to do, supported by his wife. He’s coming to terms with his mental health issues.’

Graziano believed the matter had been resolved at the time.

According to show insiders, video footage of Graziano mistreating Zara gave bosses no choice but to cancel his contract.

Addressing his departure on Instagram, Graziano wrote: ‘I deeply regret the events that led to my departure from Strictly. My intense passion and determination to win might have affected my training regime. Respecting the BBC HR process, I understand it’s best for the show that I step away.’

He continued: ‘While there are aspects of this story involving external influences that I can’t discuss at this time, I remain committed to being strong for my family and friends. I wish the Strictly family and the BBC nothing but success in the future.’

He concluded the post: ‘I also want to thank everyone who has supported my career, both professionally and personally. When the time is right, I will share my story.’

A BBC Spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘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.’