Strictly bosses to ‘clamp down on coaching instances’
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Strictly bosses will reportedly be clamping down on couples rehearsing outside of their capped training times.
Producers are bringing back a weekly cap on practice hours which means celebrities and their professional dancers can only do a maximum of around 48 hours a week.
The cap was reportedly introduced last year to create a level playing field between couples and averages out at around eight hours per day with Sunday’s off.
A source told The Sun: ‘The celebs have been told they have to stick to the cap.
‘They’re all incredibly competitive and desperate to do well.
Strictly bosses will reportedly be clamping down on couples rehearsing outside of their capped training times in wake of misconduct investigation as contestants are given chaperones
The new measures come after the BBC was forced to carry out a misconduct investigation after Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October
‘But bosses want to make sure everyone gets a fair crack of the whip, so they’ve laid out the rules.’
MailOnline have contacted the BBC for comment.
The new measures come after the BBC was forced to carry out a misconduct investigation after Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October.
The Sherlock actress has made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims.
However other celebrities in the past have also previously complained about the gruelling schedule on the dance show.
Giovanni’s former partner Laura Whitmore, who appeared on the show in 2016, said she didn’t enjoy spending so much time with the Italian dancer.
In a 2020 interview on Jamie Laing and Francis Boulle’s Private Parts podcast, Laura opened up again about the experience.
She said: ‘What I didn’t like was being removed from everybody and having to spend 12 hours a day with this one person.
Producers are bringing back a weekly cap on practice hours which means celebrities and their professional dancers can only do a maximum of around 48 hours a week
Giovanni’s former partner Laura Whitmore, who appeared on the show in 2016, said she didn’t enjoy spending so much time with the Italian dancer
The Sherlock actress has made a series of accusations about Giovanni’s teaching methods and has described his behaviour as ‘unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean’. He strongly denies all of the claims
‘I did not want to play the game of doing red carpets with your dance partner and stuff like that, which a lot of people thought you should be doing. I did not want to do that.’
Meanwhile bosses are reportedly hiring chaperones for stars following pro dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni both being accused of misconduct.
Graziano, 30, was also axed from the show over reports he verbally and physically abused his celebrity partner Zara McDermott, 27, during last year’s series.
The BBC are said to be ‘toughening up’ their duty of care with executive Sam Bickley in charge of ensuring the welfare of participants.
A source to The Times: ‘[Sam] will be discussing the protocols and where they need to be tightened up’.
‘It’s 90 per cent a happy ship but the push to win and compete might have meant some overstepping of the mark.
Going on to say: ‘We have acted swiftly and decisively to nip that in the bud and it doesn’t take away from almost everyone else having a really lovely, enriching experience from being part of the show.’
STRICTLY LINE-UP 2024
Chris McCausland
Age: 46
Profession: Comedian
Chris says: ‘If anybody out there is thinking – How the hell is he going to do that? – then rest assured that I am thinking exactly the same thing.’
Dr. Punam Krishan
Age: Unknown
Profession: GP and broadcaster
Punam says: ‘I have watched Strictly every year and it feels extra special that it’s the 20th year, I can’t believe I will be the one getting Strictly-fied.’
Toyah Willcox
Age: 66
Profession: Singer, actor, presenter
Toyah says: ‘I’m super excited and love this show. To be a part of it, the spray tan the glitter. Its a landmark year for me I came a pensioner, Glasto and now I get spray tans.’
Pete Wicks
Age: 36
Profession: Reality star
Pete says: ‘Dancing live in front of the nation every Saturday? Absolutely terrifying.’
Shayne Ward
Age: 39
Profession: Actor and singer
Shayne says: ‘I’m no stranger to live TV, but dancing Latin and Ballroom in front of millions is a whole new level.’
Tom Dean
Age: 24
Profession: Olympic medal winning swimmer
Tom says: ‘Now I can officially talk about how excited I am to get stuck into something new, meet some brilliant people and get dancing’
Nick Knowles
Age: 61
Profession: TV presenter
Nick says: ‘I am going to really go for it I will throw myself at it 100 per cent!’
Montell Douglas
Age: 38
Profession: Former Team GB Olympian and current Gladiator
Montell says: ‘Hopefully a few of my Gladiator moves will come in handy with the Tango or Paso Doble!’
JB Gill
Age: 37
Profession: Singer
JB says: ‘A lot of the ballroom styles are very alien to me – I didn’t do those dances growing up. I am not a trained dancer.’
Wynne Evans
Age: 52
Profession: Opera singer, presenter
Wynne says: ‘The stuff I’m nervous about is the ones that involve jumping, I don’t really want to do the jive, I’m nervous about that.
Tasha Ghouri
Age: 25
Profession: Model and reality star
Tasha says: ‘I’ve been watching the show since I was little – it’s a firm Ghouri family favourite – so this is a total dream come true.’
Sarah Hadland
Age: 53
Profession: Actress
Sarah says: ‘I feel particularly excited to be part of such an iconic show in its 20th year.’
Jamie Borthwick
Age: 30
Profession: EastEnders star
Jamie says: ‘I had a ball doing the Christmas special, so when I was asked to join it was the easiest yes!’
Sam Quek
Age: 35
Profession: Former GB hockey player and presenter
Sam says: ‘I am so relieved it is out there now it has been hard to keep a secret! The rumours were spreading and I had to lie! I am used to dancing on a girls night out but I will give it my all’
Paul Merson
Age: 56
Profession: Former footballer
Paul says: ‘I won’t worry about it until it starts but when it does I will be nervous – I have only danced three times in my life!’
