Strictly Come Dancing is facing a new bullying scandal after an investigation revealed troubling claims of mistreatment towards low-paid production staff by celebrities and dancers.
The BBC’s probe uncovered accusations from 15 current and former production crew members who described a “toxic” culture behind the scenes of the popular show.
These insiders shared disturbing accounts, including instances where celebrities allegedly lost their tempers with junior staff.
One account detailed a star who yelled so intensely that their spit landed on a stunned crew member’s face.
Another report described a male dancer as “chauvinistic,” with claims of him treating women in a “disgusting” manner.
There were also reports of senior production staff losing their tempers with their subordinates.
Despite these troubling reports, many staff members chose not to voice their concerns due to fears of not being taken seriously or being blacklisted from the industry.
This comes in the wake of explosive claims from former contestants like Amanda Abbington, Zara McDermott, and Laura Whitmore about similar issues with male dancers on the show.
In response to the allegations, BBC Director General Tim Davie issued an apology to the Strictly contestants and emphasized that the show’s professionals must maintain a standard of behavior that avoids crossing the line into “unacceptable” conduct.
However, BBC Studios has stated that they do not recognize the latest claims.
The BBC’s investigation includes testimonies from current and former staff members who requested anonymity due to fears of repercussions. One such staff member, Oscar, who joined the show at 18, described a “toxic” environment, particularly for junior staff.
He recounted a particularly humiliating experience where a celebrity contestant’s outburst involved getting so close that his spit landed on Oscar’s face.
Oscar reported feeling physically sick and emotionally distressed from the bullying he endured. He noted that the celebrity later apologized, but it was too late; the incident was the “final straw” that led him to quit without filing a complaint.
Anika, a former runner, shared her own difficulties with a male dancer, recalling his “disgusting” and “chauvinistic” behavior.
Anna, another runner who worked on a Christmas special, described how production team members would “lose their tempers” at junior staff. Jack, also a runner, mentioned that lower-paid workers were told they should be “lucky” just to be part of the show.
Jane, a former TV package editor for Strictly, highlighted the broader issue for crew members, noting that the abuse they faced was often severe. She likened the experience of listening to their stories to being a therapist, dealing with “verbal abuse” and intense emotional distress.
On the other hand, some insiders have offered a different perspective. A choreographer currently working on the show denied witnessing any of the reported issues, stating that their experience with dancers and staff has been positive and respectful.
The scandal initially came to light last year when Sherlock actor Amanda Abbington accused dancer Giovanni Pernice of causing her PTSD through his “bullying” and “harsh” training methods.
Pernice, who is not returning for the new series, has denied these claims and faces an ongoing investigation into his behavior.
Amid these controversies, the BBC has announced the first celebrities for the upcoming series of Strictly. This includes reality stars Tasha Ghouri and Pete Wicks, Welsh opera singer Wynne Evans, singer and actress Toyah Willcox, and blind comedian Chris McCausland.
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