Dame Arlene Phillips, 81, on Strictly bullying & pressure on professionals

Dame Arlene Phillips admitted the pressure on Strictly’s professional dancers is ‘on another level now’ as she waded into the bullying row on Monday’s GMB.

The 81-year-old Choreographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge commented on the scandal during an interview on the breakfast show.

It follows fresh claims that Amanda Abbington has reportedly handed over more texts with fresh revelations over Giovanni Pernice’s behaviour in rehearsals.

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While Kate recalled her memory of rehearsals, when she appeared on the show in 2007, she said the idea of ‘chaperones doesn’t make sense to her’ because someone was always in the room during her stint.

The BBC are reportedly considering hiring chaperones for stars following pro dancers Graziano Di Prima and Giovanni both being accused of misconduct.

Dame Arlene Phillips, 81, admitted the pressure on Strictly ‘s professional dancers is ‘on another level now’ as she waded into the bullying row on Monday’s GMB

The Choreographer and former Strictly Come Dancing judge commented on the scandal during an interview on the breakfast show

Kate said: ‘My memory of the rehearsals was that there was always somebody there so this idea of a chaperone doesn’t make sense to me as there were always somebody present.’

Dame Arlene, who judge the show from 2004 to 2008, then commented on the pressure and expectation that pro dancers go through compared to 20 years ago, adding that the ‘stakes are a lot higher now’.

She said: ‘The expectation wasn’t as high [as compared to years ago]. The actual process was high and tough, dancing is tough, we go through a lot with our bodies. 

‘But its huge now. People and even professionals catapult into fame. So the pressure now for the professionals is their own personal fame.

‘They all have their own shows now. Nothing like that ever happened. The stakes weren’t as high, now the pressure is another level.’

On Sunday, Amanda’s dramatic intervention has thrown the BBC investigation into professional Giovanni’s behaviour into chaos and has ‘changed the course of the probe’, according to new claims.

The Sun reported that Amanda has come forward with new bombshell messages just as the probe was about to conclude which reportedly show that Giovanni did ‘step over the line of what is acceptable’.

Sherlock actress Amanda, 50, a 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.

It follows fresh claims that Amanda Abbington has reportedly handed over more texts with fresh revelations over Giovanni Pernice ‘s behaviour in rehearsals

While Kate recalled her memory of rehearsals, when she appeared on the show in 2007, she said the idea of ‘chaperones doesn’t make sense to her’ because someone was always in the room during her stint

Dame Arlene, who judge the show from 2004 to 2008, then commented on the pressure and expectation that pro dancers go through compared to 20 years ago, adding that the ‘stakes are a lot higher now’

She said: ‘The expectation wasn’t as high [as compared to years ago]. The actual process was high and tough, dancing is tough, we go through a lot with our bodies’

‘But its huge now. People and even professionals catapult into fame. So the pressure now for the professionals is their own personal fame. They all have their own shows now. Nothing like that ever happened. The stakes weren’t as high, now the pressure is another level’, she added

In one interview, Amanda compared the dance show to ‘the trenches’ telling Channel 4 News that BBC producers had been left ‘horrified’ by clips that also allegedly exhibited ‘humiliating behaviour of a sexual nature’.

A source has told the publication of the new disclosures: ‘The investigation is set to conclude this week but it has been made more difficult by the new disclosure from Amanda.

‘It has turned the course of the probe. It seemed Giovanni would be cleared but this new information has changed everything again.

‘Giovanni, it seems now, did appear to step over the line of what is acceptable for a BBC ­representative but more discussions need to be had.

‘Every time they seem to reach a conclusion, something else gets thrown in that throws the investigation in a new direction.’

Amanda 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.

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’

 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!’