Insiders have suggested that Strictly Come Dancing ‘needs intimacy coaches to set boundaries’ if the TV series is to survive amid the ongoing misconduct scandal.
The BBC series has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni Pernice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour, saying he was ‘cruel and mean.’ He denies the claims.
It was followed by Graziano Di Prima’s sacking last month over reports he verbally and physically abused Zara McDermott during rehearsals.
Strictly bosses announced plans to introduce chaperones during training, and the appointment of two new welfare producers as they work to address the concerns.
Now, a source involved with the show has suggested that BBC Studios should hire intimacy coaches to ‘spell out unacceptable behaviour,’ according to The Times.
Insiders have suggested that Strictly Come Dancing ‘needs intimacy coaches to set boundaries’ if the TV series is to survive amid the ongoing misconduct scandal (Zara McDermott and Graziano Di Prima pictured)
The BBC series has been engulfed by drama since Giovanni Pernice was suspended after his celebrity partner Amanda Abbington accused him of abusive behaviour (pictured together)
They told the publication: ‘Some of them need the boundaries of how normal people behave explained.
‘Because [dance] is all leading and following, and they’ve been doing it since they were eight, the idea that you can just grab someone’s wrist is ingrained in them.
‘And clearly, for some [dancers] what is completely unacceptable behaviour needed to have been spelled out.’
MailOnline has contacted the BBC for comment who outlined their new duty of care protocol.
Bosses announced that they would be introducing ‘additional steps to strengthen welfare and support on Strictly Come Dancing.’
A statement from the corporation said: ‘Concerns that have arisen in recent months have been fundamentally about training and rehearsals. The actions we announce today are designed to address that.’
The new measures include a member of the production team being present during training room rehearsals at all times, and increased support for both celebrity contestants and the professional dancers.
A Celebrity Welfare Producer and a Professional Dancer Welfare Producer will both be appointed to fulfil these added duties, and further training will also be delivered for the production team and crew.
Kate Phillips, BBC’s Director of Unscripted, said: ‘Whilst we know our shows have been positive experiences for the vast majority of those who have taken part, if issues are raised with us, or we’re made aware of inappropriate behaviour, we will always take that seriously and act.
‘Concerns that have arisen have been fundamentally related to training and rehearsals. The decisive steps we have taken and are announced today, act to further strengthen the welfare and support in place for everyone involved with this production.’
Now, a source involved with the show has suggested that BBC Studios should hire intimacy coaches to ‘spell out unacceptable behaviour,’ according to The Times
Giovanni has reportedly revealed to his friends that he ‘expects to be cleared’ after the BBC conducted a probe into his behaviour
Amanda – his last celebrity partner – quit Strictly last year due to ‘personal reasons’ before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD (pictured in January 2023)
Giovanni has reportedly revealed to his friends that he ‘expects to be cleared’ after the BBC conducted a probe into his behaviour.
Amanda – his last celebrity partner – quit Strictly last year due to ‘personal reasons’ before reports she had demanded footage of their rehearsals after the experience in the competition left her with PTSD.
Sources then claimed the actress, Ranvir Singh and Laura Whitmore had an ’emotional summit’ where they ‘compared notes’ about their time working with Giovanni on the show – prompting the BBC to launch a probe into his conduct.
But it appears the dancer is confident, after a source told The Mirror he expects to be cleared by the BBC of abusive behaviour after meeting with bosses to see their dossier of evidence.
On Saturday, Amanda broke her silence to claim that Giovanni was ‘abusive’ to her but, according to The Mirror’s source, these claims were not included in the evidence put to him.
MailOnline contacted Giovanni and Amanda’s representatives for comment.
There was yet more drama for Strictly over the weekend as Amanda lodged new complaints, a female dancer was revealed to be facing allegations of bullying and Graziano battled further allegations that he was ‘aggressive’ towards Zara.
Speaking in her first interview since quitting Strictly Come Dancing in October, Amanda said Giovanni’s behaviour was ‘unnecessary.’
In an interview with The Sun, Amanda said: ‘I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people.’
She continued: ‘I had to think long and hard about making a complaint because I knew the backlash I would get. But I would not have been able to live with myself for future people going on that show.’
‘It’s insane what has happened to me, with the death threats and backlash. I know the BBC have known about his behaviour for years, people had complained about him and flagged his behaviour to producers in the past and nothing was done.
‘It wasn’t an isolated experience with me. I should never ever have danced with him.’
MailOnline contacted the BBC and Giovanni’s representative for comment.
Meanwhile, more shocking details of Graziano’s alleged ‘aggressive’ treatment of Zara has since been revealed.
According to reports, he ‘called her nasty names, asked if she had gained weight and was forceful’ leaving her ‘visibly demoralised’ and ‘in tears.’
Speaking to The Sun, a source said: ‘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.’
The source also claimed his ‘aggressive outbursts’ could be heard through closed doors.
In an interview with The Sun, Amanda said: ‘I found Giovanni’s behaviour unnecessary, abusive, cruel and mean. I couldn’t sit back and let him do that to other people’
Meanwhile, more shocking details of Graziano alleged ‘aggressive’ treatment of Zara has since been revealed
It is not just male dancers who are now facing allegations of abusive behaviour. A former dancer has claimed tonight that a currently unnamed female Strictly dancer screamed in his face and berated him off-camera.
The Daily Mirror reports that the household name’s allegations do not include physical abuse.
A source said: ‘The man in question felt very much victimised by the behaviour of his Strictly partner.
‘He alleges that on several occasions she flew into a real fury when he couldn’t get the steps right, and on one occasion screamed full in his face. They rowed every single day.’
