Strictly bosses introduce powerful ‘anti-bullying’ guidelines

Strictly bosses have introduced tough ‘anti-bullying’ rules by instructing new chaperones to call a helpline if they spot any abusive behaviour. 

New measures were introduced after the BBC was forced to carry out a misconduct investigation after Amanda Abbington unexpectedly quit the show last October.

Months later, professional dancer Graziano Di Prima was sacked after BBC staffers revealed they had seen footage of him ‘kicking’ celebrity partner Zara McDermott. 

As a result, the BBC called in chaperones for the upcoming series to watch over the pairs – and now it has been revealed they are instructed to report anything untoward to a helpful.  

A source told The Sun: ‘They’ve been told to log positive moments in rehearsals as well as anything that could be called into question.

‘However, it has been stressed that they should call the helpline immediately if anything bad happens to ensure that any wrongdoing is dealt with promptly.

‘It will also be protocol for the researchers to move between different training rooms so they don’t become too pally with the professional dancers and celebrities.’ 

MailOnline have contacted the BBC for comment. 

It was also revealed that the BBC 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.

‘But bosses want to make sure everyone gets a fair crack of the whip, so they’ve laid out the rules.’ 

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.

‘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.’